Top 5 Best Dog Whitening Shampoos to Keep Your White Dog Clean and White
By Ashley Turner Last Updated January 25, 2022
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Since there are hundreds of whitening shampoos designed for dogs available, it's very easy to get overwhelmed when you start to search for the best whitening shampoo. This is why we've picked out our top five whitening shampoos for dogs, and we've also put together a guide to give you criteria to keep in mind when you're comparing the shampoo to help you make the best choice for your dog.
Our Top Picks for the Best Dog Whitening Shampoo
Why Use Dog Shampoo Instead of Human Shampoo?
You may be tempted to use human-grade shampoo on your dog instead of dog-specific shampoo, but this isn't a good idea because the strengths of the ingredients can actually cause problems for your dog's coat and skin. Dogs have a skin pH ranging between 5.5 to 7.5, while humans have a pH ranging between 5.2 to 6.2, so this means that human-grade shampoo has more pH in the formula that could dry out your dog's skin.
While this may not damage your dog's coat or skin if you use it occasionally, you don't want to make a habit out of it because it takes time to repair skin and coat damage when you switch back to dog shampoo.
5 Different Types of Whitening Shampoo for Dogs
There are thousands of dog shampoos available, but you have to understand what makes whitening shampoo different from traditional dog shampoo. It comes down to five different whitening shampoo types, and they include:
Bleaching Shampoo
Bleaching shampoos are extremely strong whitening shampoos, and they're usually only used by professionals to get their dogs ready for dog shows. These shampoos bleach your dog's coat to get it to an optimal level of white, but they're also very harsh and can damage your dog's skin and coat with continual use.
Bluing Shampoo
If your whitening shampoo contains a bold purple or blue color or tint, it's a bluing shampoo that uses these pigments to create the illusion of a white and brighter coat. It's good for occasional use, but this shampoo can tint your dog's coat purple or blue if you use it too much.
Dyeing Shampoo
For anyone who wants to make their dog's coat permanently white, they have dyeing shampoos available. These types of shampoos are more harsh for your dog's coat or skin, so you should only use them if you know how to do it safely or have a professional groomer do it.
Enzymatic Shampoo
An enzymatic agent works to break down proteins that cause discoloration or stains on your dog's coat and can cause it to look dingy or dull. They're common to use around your dog's eyes if they have tear stains, around their mouths if they have discoloration, or around their genitals to make the fur white.
Optical Brightener
Optical Brightening shampoos use Fluorescence to convert UV light into blue light that you can see, and this makes your dog's coat appear whiter and brighter. They're generally safe to use on your dog's skin and coat, and you typically find these optical brighteners in laundry detergents.
Safely Using Whitening Shampoos
Whitening shampoos are usually more powerful than traditional dog or puppy shampoos, and this means that you have to pay very careful attention to the label and directions to keep your dog safe. Some whitening shampoos come diluted and ready to use straight out of the package, and other whitening shampoos have to be manually diluted to as much as one part shampoo to 50 parts water to make them safe.
Once you dilute the shampoo, you usually use whitening shampoos just like you would a traditional shampoo. You start by wetting your dog's coat, applying the shampoo deep into your dog's coat, let it stay in your dog's coat for 5 or 10 minutes, and rinse it out thoroughly.
You may also want to consider using a conditioning agent on your dog's coat if you use a whitening shampoo because whitening shampoos can be slightly more harsh for your dog's skin and coat to withstand. A quality conditioner can help lock in moisture and nutrients to leave your dog with a shiny and healthy coat.
Important Things to Look For in Dog Whitening Shampoos
Along with the type of whitening shampoo you pick, there are several things that you want to watch for to ensure that you get a safe and effective shampoo. These things include:
Natural Formula
Your whitening shampoo should contain a safe and natural formula that excludes parabens, dyes, harsh chemicals, and heavy fragrances because these things can damage your dog's coat and dry out their skin. Instead, make sure that you get a pH balanced formula that has plant-based ingredients and things like aloe because this will help to keep your dog's skin nourished and their coat healthy and soft.
Stain Removal
You want your dog to be as clean as they can possibly be, and having a shampoo that can break down and remove stains is one way to keep their coat looking brilliant and bright white. Shampoos with enzymatic agents work to naturally break down the stains and remove any brown, dingy, or yellow tints that your dog's coat and pick up over time.
How Long Do Whitening Shampoos Last?
How long your dog's coat stays white depends on how active your dog is, the type of whitening shampoo you use, and their daily environment. However, many whitening shampoos can typically work to keep stains away for four to six weeks, and you should plan on giving them another bath with a whitening shampoo every six weeks.
This routine can help stop them from staining their coat, and this is great because allowing stains to set into your dog's coat can make it more difficult to get their coat back to the brightest white. If you notice that it's not lasting a full six weeks, try giving your dog a whitening shampoo bath every four weeks to achieve a healthy and bright coat.
Our Top Five Picks for the Best Dog Whitening Shampoo
1. Wahl Dog Whitening Shampoo Brightening Formula
This whitening shampoo comes with a pet-friendly formula that is pH balanced, paraben free, alcohol-free, and it's processed from plant-derived materials that make it a safer shampoo alternative for your dog. There are seven different shampoo formulas you can choose from as well as two different sizes that allow you to customize your order for your needs.
This shampoo keeps whites whiter and colors brighter for a healthy, shiny, and radiant coat when you finish bathing your dog, and it forms a rich lather that removes deep debris, dirt, and other contaminants that could make your dog's coat look dingy. This shampoo has white pear to enhance the whitening power, and it's very easy to rinse out of your dog's coat to leave it clean.
Dog parents who tried this whitening shampoo liked that it came with a plant-derived formula that was free parabens and alcohol while also being pH balanced, and they also liked that there were several formulas to pick from. Dog parents who tried this shampoo didn't like that it took a few baths to notice a difference or that they had to use a lot to get a rich lather.
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2. Burt's Bees for Dogs Whitening Shampoo
Burt's Bees shampoo comes in 12 different formulas including a natural and powerful whitening formula, and it works to deep clean to your dog's skin and leaves their fur brighter and whiter each time you use it. Your dog will get the whitening power of papaya along with yogurt to reduce any dulling properties in your dog's coat.
This whitening shampoo is designed to be 100-percent safe and effective, and this shampoo comes formulated with no colorants, sulfates, parabens, harsh chemicals, or fragrances that are safe for your dog. You'll get a trusted name that's been around since 1984 when you purchase this shampoo, and it's a good choice for show dogs who need bright and brilliant fur.
Pet parents who bought this whitening shampoo were happy that it came with natural ingredients that were safe and effective in cleaning their dog's coat to the skin and restoring the shine. Pet parents weren't happy that this shampoo choice had a runnier formula and that it didn't seem to lather well unless they used a lot of it each time they gave their dog a bath.
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3. Perfect Coat White Pearl Shampoo for Dogs
This White Pearl shampoo comes in two different sizes ranging from a 16 to 32-ounce bottle, and it contains natural whitening agents that work to get and keep your dog's coat looking white and feeling soft. It's formulated with rich aloe vera to help repair any damage to your dog's coat and leave it looking shiny and feeling soft.
Your dog will benefit from an easy rinse formula that cuts bath time down by getting rid of excess oils, buildup, dirt, or any dulling agents that may be keeping your dog's coat looking dingy. There are also several conditioning agents blended into this whitening shampoo that stop your dog's coat from tangling or snarling as you brush it out, and the conditioning agents also keep your dog's coat soft.
Dog parents were pleased when they bought this shampoo that it came in two different sizes, and they were also pleased that it had natural whitening agents as well as conditioning agents. Dog parents were not pleased that this whitening shampoo had a stronger scent, and they weren't pleased that the shampoo was thinner.
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4. BioSilk for Dogs Silk Therapy Whitening Shampoo
This whitening shampoo by BioSilk comes with a safe and effective whitening formula that is safe for puppies eight weeks old and older, and this shampoo has seven different formulas and in packs of one or two. The formula is designed to clean deeply and whiten your dog's coat from the skin out.
Your dog will enjoy a quality formula that contains the same ingredients as the human-grade BioSilk shampoo has, and this shampoo is made in the United States to strict quality control standards. It contains natural whitening agents, Hawaiian white ginger, lemon extract, silk protein, and soy protein that enhances your dog's coat colors.
Dog owners who bought BioSilk's whitening shampoo liked that is comes made with the same quality ingredients that you find in human shampoo from BioSilk, and they liked that it comes in several formulas and two different pack options. Dog owners who bought this product didn't like that the smell that comes with this shampoo tends to fade quickly, and they didn't like that it has issues with detangling.
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5. Lillian Ruff Brightening & Whitening Shampoo for Dogs
Lillian Ruff's shampoo adds luster and shine to your dog's coat each time your give your dog a bath, and it works to brighten your dog's coat and enhance their white color while preventing mats and tangles. Your dog will also get a good amount of aloe with each use, and this can help nourish their skin and soothe any itchy or dry spots.
This whitening shampoo is vegan, gluten-free, free of parabens, free of sulfates, and 100-percent cruelty-free so it's healthier for your dog, and this whitening shampoo comes with a very light coconut scent that works to deodorize your dog and keep them smelling nice for days after their baths. You'll get a money-back guarantee when you purchase this shampoo, and this guarantee allows you to return the shampoo within 30 days if you're not happy with it.
Dog parents who bought Lillian Ruff's shampoo liked that they got a money-back guarantee that allowed them to try this shampoo for 30 days and return it if they weren't satisfied, and they also liked that it prevented tangles and mats. Dog parents didn't like that this whitening shampoo took a lot to work well or that it could take a few baths to notice a difference.
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Our Top Dog Whitening Shampoo Pick
Our choice for the best whitening shampoo for dogs is Wahl Dog Whitening Shampoo because it comes with a pH balanced formula that is alcohol and paraben free because it's healthier to use on your dog. We also chose it because it comes in two sizes and several other formulas that you can try on your dog.
This shampoo forms a rich lather that works to clean debris and dirt out of your dog's coat from the skin out to whiten and brighten it quickly and efficiently. Finally, it's easy and fast to rinse out of your dog's coat.
