Pet parents of white or light-colored dogs know the frustrations of trying to brighten dull, yellow, and dingy fur. Having a white dog can be challenging to keep clean. Luckily, plenty of products on the market today offer shampoos and conditioners that will brighten white fur and moisturize at the same time.
With so many products available, how do you go about choosing the right one to suit you and your doggo’s needs? Well, we’re glad you’re here because we have picked products we feel are the cream of the crop in today’s market. Ready? Let’s begin!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2023)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Frisco Brightening Shampoo for Dogs
Contains aloe, coconut, and plant-derived cleaners
Removes stains and brightens coats
Pleasant coconut scent
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Best Value
Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo
All-natural ingredients are safe for regular use
Soothes your pet’s skin with every use
Made in the US
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Premium Choice
Veterinary Formula Solutions Snow White Dog Shampoo
Contains no bleach, no peroxide, or sulfates
pH-balanced
Contains patented optical brighteners
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Best for Puppies
BioSilk Whitening Dog Shampoo
Same innovative ingredients as the human line
Softens and brightens white coats
pH-balanced
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TropiClean Spa White Coat Shampoo
Naturally-derived ingredients
Contains no alcohol, peroxide, ammonia, or bleach
Contains oatmeal and lavender that naturally cleans and brightens
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The 11 Best Shampoos for White Dogs
Frisco Brightening Cat & Dog Shampoo with Aloe is a paraben-free formula that brightens your white pooch’s dull fur. It contains aloe, coconut, and plant-derived cleansers for an all-natural cleanser and brightener. It removes stains, but it also conditions your doggie’s skin and coat.
Check Price on Chewy
This formula contains violet flowers that whiten and restore the brilliance in white coats, and it’s safe for dogs and cats of all ages. This shampoo will remove tear stains, but be careful to not get the shampoo in your pet’s eyes, as it is not tear-free.
The scent is a calming coconut cream that’s not too strong, and it comes in a 20-ounce bottle or a 1-gallon bottle at a reasonable price. With the all-natural ingredients and reasonable price, this shampoo is our pick for the best overall shampoo for white dogs.
Pros
Contains aloe, coconut, and plant-derived cleaners
Removes stains and brightens coats
Pleasant coconut scent
Reasonable price
Cons
Not tear-free
- Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo – Best Value
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Key ingredients: Oatmeal extract,
Suitable for: All life stages
Scent: Cucumber and aloe
Bathing any pet can be stressful for both of you, especially if your dog isn’t fond of baths or has dry, delicate, or irritation-prone skin. At Hepper, they’ve created a colloidal oatmeal shampoo that’s one of our favorites for several reasons. The first is the oatmeal in their formula, which makes it very soothing to your pet’s skin. Even better, your pet’s skin will stay moisturized longer, thanks to the product’s aloe vera and cucumbers.
Contains aloe, coconut, and plant-derived cleaners
Removes stains and brightens coats
Pleasant coconut scent
Reasonable price
- Contains aloe, coconut, and plant-derived cleaners
- Removes stains and brightens coats
- Pleasant coconut scent
- Reasonable price
Not tear-free
- Not tear-free
Check Price on Hepper
Key ingredients: Oatmeal extract,
Suitable for: All life stages
Scent: Cucumber and aloe
Another benefit is that Hepper’s shampoo is pH balanced, which also helps pets with delicate and dry skin. This excellent pet shampoo will reduce irritation and help your pet’s skin stay healthy. Plus, it smells great and will leave your pet smelling fresh and looking clean for days. While your dog may never love bath time, Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo will make it easier for your pet to accept their regular bath with less fuss and whining. For these reasons, Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo with Aloe and Cucumber Scent is our 2nd-place best value selection.
Pros
All-natural ingredients are safe for regular use
Soothes your pet’s skin with every use
Made in the US
Doesn’t contain harmful ingredients, like phthalates, DEA, and sulfates
Long-lasting and enjoyable scent
Cons
Might not get a deep clean as with other, stronger shampoos
Veterinary Formula Solutions Snow White Whitening Shampoo for Dogs & Cats is the most expensive on our list, but its effectiveness is worth the extra cost if you can swing it. This shampoo is free from bleach, peroxide, and sulfates, and it’s pH-balanced for a shiny coat. The patented optical brighteners gently revive and clean dull and yellowing fur, and this shampoo won’t wash away topical flea and tick treatments.
All-natural ingredients are safe for regular use
Soothes your pet’s skin with every use
Made in the US
Doesn’t contain harmful ingredients, like phthalates, DEA, and sulfates
Long-lasting and enjoyable scent
- All-natural ingredients are safe for regular use
- Soothes your pet’s skin with every use
- Made in the US
- Doesn’t contain harmful ingredients, like phthalates, DEA, and sulfates
- Long-lasting and enjoyable scent
Might not get a deep clean as with other, stronger shampoos
- Might not get a deep clean as with other, stronger shampoos
Key ingredients: Coconut oil-based cleansers, green tea extract, vitamin E
Suitable for: Dogs, cats, and horses
Scent: Citrus
The pure ingredients make this product safe for frequent use, and it’s suitable for dogs, cats, and horses. It contains green tea extract and vitamin E for a soft, soothing coat.
This shampoo comes in a 1-gallon bottle for a premium price, but it’s also available in a 17-ounce bottle that’s more affordable.
Some consumers claim the shampoo has an unpleasant smell, and it may not brighten all dogs’ coats. Keep in mind that it may take several baths to see a difference in some pets.
Pros
Contains no bleach, no peroxide, or sulfates
pH-balanced
Contains patented optical brighteners
Green tea extract and vitamin E soften and soothe skin and coat
Safe for frequent use
Cons
May have an unpleasant smell
May not work for all coats
1-gallon bottle is expensive
May take several uses to brighten coat
BioSilk is known for its human line of hair products, and now, our pets can enjoy their products, too! BioSilk Therapy Whitening Dog Shampoo uses the same innovative and classic ingredients as the human line, and the natural silk botanicals will leave your pooch soft and clean. This shampoo is specially formulated with silk and vitamins that moisturize your dog’s skin and coat, all while brightening any dull and dingy white coats.
Contains no bleach, no peroxide, or sulfates
pH-balanced
Contains patented optical brighteners
Green tea extract and vitamin E soften and soothe skin and coat
Safe for frequent use
- Contains no bleach, no peroxide, or sulfates
- pH-balanced
- Contains patented optical brighteners
- Green tea extract and vitamin E soften and soothe skin and coat
- Safe for frequent use
May have an unpleasant smell
May not work for all coats
1-gallon bottle is expensive
May take several uses to brighten coat
- May have an unpleasant smell
- May not work for all coats
- 1-gallon bottle is expensive
- May take several uses to brighten coat
Key ingredients: Natural cleansing agents, papaya leaf extract, Hawaiian white ginger
Suitable for: Puppies 8 weeks or older, adults, seniors
Scent: Tropical
This product is pH-balanced and free from parabens or sulfates, but it does come with a few downsides. The liquid of this shampoo is thick, and you may need to dilute it first so that it doesn’t slide off your dog’s coat before getting the chance to lather it in. It may be hard to rinse, too. This shampoo also may not brighten your dog’s fur as much as you’d like.
On the positive side, it smells great and comes in a 12-ounce bottle at an affordable price.
Pros
Same innovative ingredients as the human line
Softens and brightens white coats
pH-balanced
Affordable
Cons
Liquid is thick
May be hard to rinse
May not brighten coat as much as you’d like
TropiClean is a trusted, family-owned manufacturer within the pet industry, and they have earned another spot on our list for a brightening shampoo. TropiClean Spa Color White Coat Shampoo for Dogs & Cats is bleach-free and contains oatmeal and lavender that gently lifts dirt and brightens dull, white coats. It contains no alcohol, peroxide, or ammonia, and it won’t dry out your pup’s skin. The naturally-derived ingredients won’t wash away flea and tick treatments, as well.
Same innovative ingredients as the human line
Softens and brightens white coats
pH-balanced
Affordable
- Same innovative ingredients as the human line
- Softens and brightens white coats
- pH-balanced
- Affordable
Liquid is thick
May be hard to rinse
May not brighten coat as much as you’d like
- Liquid is thick
- May be hard to rinse
- May not brighten coat as much as you’d like
The lavender scent may be too strong for some and be careful if you have it shipped because the cap may arrive broken, causing messy leaks.
Pros
Naturally-derived ingredients
Contains no alcohol, peroxide, ammonia, or bleach
Contains oatmeal and lavender that naturally cleans and brightens
Won’t wash away flea and tick meds
Cons
Scent may be strong for some
Bottle may arrive damaged if shipped, causing messy leaks
TropiClean Whitening Awapuhi & Coconut Dog Shampoo is a soap-free formula that brightens white coats and enhances all coat colors, including tri-color coats. The protein in this shampoo naturally brightens all coats while moisturizing at the same time. The blueberry and awapuhi, which is part of the ginger family, work together to naturally brighten coats, and the oatmeal and vitamin E work to moisturize and cleanse the coat.
Naturally-derived ingredients
Contains no alcohol, peroxide, ammonia, or bleach
Contains oatmeal and lavender that naturally cleans and brightens
Won’t wash away flea and tick meds
- Naturally-derived ingredients
- Contains no alcohol, peroxide, ammonia, or bleach
- Contains oatmeal and lavender that naturally cleans and brightens
- Won’t wash away flea and tick meds
Scent may be strong for some
Bottle may arrive damaged if shipped, causing messy leaks
- Scent may be strong for some
- Bottle may arrive damaged if shipped, causing messy leaks
Key ingredients: Oatmeal, awapuhi, blueberry, vitamin E
Suitable for: Puppies, adults, and seniors of all ages
Scent: Tropical
This formula leaves your pooch smelling great without an overpowering scent, and it’s safe for puppies, adults, and senior dogs.
The cap on these bottles sometimes arrives broken if you order online, and the consistency of the formula itself is thick, making it hard to lather in quickly. However, this shampoo comes in a 20-ounce bottle or a 1-gallon bottle at an affordable price.
Pros
Enhances and brightens all coats
All-natural ingredients
Soap-free
Pleasant scent
Safe for puppies, adults, and seniors
Cons
Cap can break easily
Thick formula, may be hard to lather in quickly
Nature’s Miracle Whitening Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is specially-formulated with awapuhi extract to brighten your dog’s coat, all while neutralizing odors. The keratin and aloe help soften and condition the coat, and it contains no harmful ingredients, such as parabens or dyes.
Enhances and brightens all coats
All-natural ingredients
Soap-free
Pleasant scent
Safe for puppies, adults, and seniors
- Enhances and brightens all coats
- All-natural ingredients
- Soap-free
- Pleasant scent
- Safe for puppies, adults, and seniors
Cap can break easily
Thick formula, may be hard to lather in quickly
- Cap can break easily
- Thick formula, may be hard to lather in quickly
Key ingredients: Keratin, aloe, awapuhi extract
Suitable for: Adult dogs
Scent: Jasmine pear
This formula is a natural Cocoa Surfactant Shampoo that softens and reduces static electricity. This product has a jasmine/almond scent, and it’s suitable for adult dogs.
A downfall is that it takes a good amount of the liquid to get a good lather, and the scent doesn’t seem to last long. It may not work well on dogs with long hair, as it may cause the hair to matt. It may also take several uses before seeing a difference with whitening.
Pros
Contains awapuhi extract for whitening
Neutralizes odors
Contains no harmful ingredients
Fresh jasmine/almond scent
Cons
Takes a lot of liquid to lather
Scent may not last long
May take several uses to brighten coat
Earthbath Light Color Coat Brightening Lavender Dog & Cat Shampoo uses special blends of optical brighteners that whiten coats and leaves your pet smelling fresh and clean. The mild lavender scent is not overbearing, and the formula omits any harsh chemicals, such as phosphates and parabens. This gentle formula is derived from plants and coconut-based cleansers, and it will leave behind a shiny and soft coat.
Contains awapuhi extract for whitening
Neutralizes odors
Contains no harmful ingredients
Fresh jasmine/almond scent
- Contains awapuhi extract for whitening
- Neutralizes odors
- Contains no harmful ingredients
- Fresh jasmine/almond scent
Takes a lot of liquid to lather
Scent may not last long
May take several uses to brighten coat
- Takes a lot of liquid to lather
- Scent may not last long
- May take several uses to brighten coat
Key ingredients: Aloe, vitamin A, B, D, and E
Suitable for: Dogs and cats 6 weeks of age or older
Scent: Lavender
The scent is pleasant; however, it doesn’t last long, and it may not brighten some white dogs; in fact, some report that it makes the coat yellow. Despite this, the reviews of this product are more positive than negative, and many have excellent results. This product is available in a 16-ounce bottle.
Pros
Gentle formula derived from plants and coconut-based cleansers
Mild lavender scent
No harsh chemicals
Leaves coat soft and shiny
Cons
Scent may not last long
May turn coat yellow
Petpost Whitening Dog Shampoo is specially-formulated with aloe to soften and soothe dry, irritated skin. The whitening formula revives dull and dingy fur while leaving behind a fresh, watermelon scent, and it’s perfect for a Poodle, Maltese, or Shi Tzu. The nutrients in this formula exfoliate the skin, which makes it perfect for doggies with dry, itchy skin. This shampoo also helps with itchy hot spots.
Gentle formula derived from plants and coconut-based cleansers
Mild lavender scent
No harsh chemicals
Leaves coat soft and shiny
- Gentle formula derived from plants and coconut-based cleansers
- Mild lavender scent
- No harsh chemicals
- Leaves coat soft and shiny
Scent may not last long
May turn coat yellow
- Scent may not last long
- May turn coat yellow
Key ingredients: Aloe, oats, proteins
Suitable for: Puppies, adults, seniors of all ages
Scent: Watermelon
It may take a few washes to see results, and it may not remove tough stains in the fur. The company does offer a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied.
Pros
Contains aloe that softens the skin
Soothes dry, itchy skin
Helps with hot spots
Pleasant watermelon scent
100% money-back guarantee
Cons
May take a few washes to see results
May not remove tough stains
John Paul Pet Super Bright Shampoo for Dogs is a pH-balanced formula designed for white dogs, light-colored dogs, and cats to safely brighten dull coats. It can also be used for dark-colored dogs and cats to add shine and depth to their coats.
Contains aloe that softens the skin
Soothes dry, itchy skin
Helps with hot spots
Pleasant watermelon scent
100% money-back guarantee
- Contains aloe that softens the skin
- Soothes dry, itchy skin
- Helps with hot spots
- Pleasant watermelon scent
- 100% money-back guarantee
May take a few washes to see results
May not remove tough stains
- May take a few washes to see results
- May not remove tough stains
Key ingredients: Aloe, oat protein, almond
Suitable for: Adult dogs and cats
Scent: Almond
Paul Mitchell has been in the hair product business since 1980, and now, they offer a pet line of shampoos that uses the same botanical ingredients as the human line. This formula conditions the fur with chamomile, aloe, and oatmeal, and it leaves behind a mild almond scent. It’s also paraben-free for doggies with sensitivities.
This product may not work for dogs or cats with sensitive skin, and it may dry it out even more. Some consumers claim they have had no success with whitening, and it may take several uses. However, many consumers are happy with the results of the product.
This product is available in a 16-ounce bottle.
Pros
pH-balanced to brighten white or light-colored coats
Contains oatmeal, chamomile, and aloe that moisturize
Mild almond scent
Paraben-free
Adds shine to dark coats
Cons
May dry out sensitive skin
May take several uses to see results
Angels’ Eyes Arctic Blue Whitening Dog Shampoo is pH-balanced and formulated to brighten white and light-colored coats. It adds sheen to your dog’s coat, and it softens the fur to help with tangles and mats while leaving a fresh, tropical scent. It lathers well and rinses easily. This formula also uses coconut-based cleansers that moisturize and hydrate dry skin.
pH-balanced to brighten white or light-colored coats
Contains oatmeal, chamomile, and aloe that moisturize
Mild almond scent
Paraben-free
Adds shine to dark coats
- pH-balanced to brighten white or light-colored coats
- Contains oatmeal, chamomile, and aloe that moisturize
- Mild almond scent
- Paraben-free
- Adds shine to dark coats
May dry out sensitive skin
May take several uses to see results
- May dry out sensitive skin
- May take several uses to see results
It is not formulated to be used safely around your dog’s eyes, so you’ll need to purchase a separate product for tear stains.
This product is on the pricey side, but it seems to do a good job of whitening and cleaning coats. It’s available in a 16-ounce bottle.
Pros
pH-balanced
Helps with tangles and matted fur
Uses coconut-based cleansers
Fresh, tropical scent
Cons
Cannot use for tear stain removal around eyes
Expensive
pH-balanced
Helps with tangles and matted fur
Uses coconut-based cleansers
Fresh, tropical scent
- pH-balanced
- Helps with tangles and matted fur
- Uses coconut-based cleansers
- Fresh, tropical scent
Cannot use for tear stain removal around eyes
Expensive
- Cannot use for tear stain removal around eyes
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide: How to Buy the Best Shampoo for White Dogs
Now that we’ve reviewed our picks, let’s take it one step further and review what to look for in a shampoo for white dogs.
Ingredients
Ingredients are important to know because there may be something in the product you want to avoid, especially if your dog has any sensitivity issues. All of the products we’ve listed are paraben-free and pH-balanced. Parabens can cause allergic reactions in some dogs, so it’s wise to steer clear of a product with this ingredient.
Getting the best shampoo for your dog will require you to try and find a product that uses all-natural ingredients derived from plants. Aloe, oatmeal, chamomile, and vitamin E are all wonderful ingredients and should not cause irritation.
Flea and topical medications
Most products advertise that their product will not wash away flea and topical medications. Even though this is advertised, we recommend waiting at least 24 to 48 hours before bathing your dog or cat to ensure any treatment does not get washed off.
Use frequency
If you have a white dog that likes to roll around in mud and dirt constantly, you may want to search for a product you can use as often as needed, as some products can only be used once or twice a week. Keep in mind, though, that bathing your dog too often will strip away the natural oils, making their skin dry and itchy. If you need to clean your dog in between baths, you can use wipes to freshen up your pooch.
Conclusion
For the best overall shampoo for white dogs, recommend Frisco Brightening Shampoo for its plant-derived cleansers, whitening ability, and affordability. For the best value, we recommend Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo for its natural ingredients, moisturizing capabilities, and reasonable price.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our top ten picks for the best shampoo for white dogs. Now that you know what to look for, you’ll be on your way to brightening your white dog’s full coat.
Featured Image Credit: Gilson Gomes, Unsplash
