How to Keep a Schnauzer's Face White

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Schnauzers are delightful dogs, but unsightly staining around a schnauzer’s eyes and mouth can frustrate any owner. Luckily for you, keeping the fur white and clean on your schnauzer’s face is quite simple. You usually need to make just a few adjustments to your schnauzer’s diet and grooming routine to resolve the issue. If excessive staining remains an issue, then you may want to take your schnauzer to the vet for a check up.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Keeping Your Schnauzer Groomed

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  1. Use a natural dog shampoo to clean your schnauzer's beard. [1] Make sure to rinse its beard until all of the shampoo is removed. Blow dry the hair on a cool setting until it is completely dry.
    • Be careful when blow-drying your dog's hair, as dogs are sound sensitive. If your dog becomes stressed or fearful, take a break or use a towel to dry their hair instead. [2]
    • Alternatively, wet a cloth with warm water. Wipe your schnauzer’s beard with the cloth to remove food and other debris that can cause staining.
  2. Dampen a cloth with warm water. At the end of each day, wipe around your schnauzer’s eyes to remove eye matter and build up that can cause staining. [3]
    • You can also purchase specific products to help clear up eye stains at your local pet supply store or online.
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  3. Take your schnauzer to the groomer to have the hair on its face and around its eyes trimmed. Long hair around your schnauzer's eyes can poke and irritate them, causing tearing and staining. [4]
    • Additionally, trimming your schnauzer's hair periodically will promote new hair growth, making room for new, white hair.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Adjusting Your Schnauzer’s Diet

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  1. Feeding your schnauzer a high-quality dog food may help reduce staining on its face. Choose a dog food that is high in protein and low in grains and cereals. The first two to three ingredients listed should be a protein like beef, lamb, poultry, or fish. [5]
    • Additionally, choose a dog food that contains high-quality byproducts such as organs and entrails.
  2. Dog food and treats that contain artificial coloring will stain your schnauzer’s face. If you want to keep your schnauzer’s face white, choose a brand that contains zero artificial colors. [6]
    • Choose white or pale-colored treats and biscuits over colored treats and biscuits.
  3. Faucet water is more likely to contain hard minerals like iron that can stain your schnauzer’s face. Instead, provide your dog with filtered water from water bottles or a water filtration system. [7]
  4. Add apple cider vinegar to your schnauzer’s water for three to four weeks. After three weeks, repeat this every two months. [8]
    • Some people report that adding apple cider vinegar will further purify the water, reducing the chances of staining in your schnauzer’s face.
  5. Supplementing your schnauzer’s diet with probiotics can help maintain your dog's coat and appearance. Probiotics come in either a powder or a liquid form. Administer the probiotics per the instructions on the bottle. [9]
    • You can purchase dog probiotics online or from your local pet supply store.
    • Talk to your vet before giving your dog any supplements.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Making Changes to Your Dog’s Environment

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  1. An allergic reaction to dust and other seasonal allergens can cause tears and mucus to stain your schnauzer’s white face. To prevent this from happening, dust your house often, especially during allergy seasons. [10]
    • Change your air filters every two to three months.
  2. Plastic food and water bowls tend to absorb colors and odors from dog food and water. These colors can transfer to your schnauzer’s face while they eat and drink, causing staining. Instead, use stainless steel, glass, or ceramic food and water bowls.
    • Alternatively, a dog water bottle is a great way to keep your schnauzer’s face dry and clean.
  3. If staining is still an issue, you should consider taking your dog to the vet. While some staining is ok, excessive and persistent staining can be a sign of a mild to severe health issue. [11]
    • For example, periodontal disease, fractured teeth, oral tumors, eye infections, allergies, eye abrasions, and face and mouth abnormalities can all cause excessive staining in schnauzers.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Is it normal for my dog to be afraid when I blow-dry their hair?
    Lancy Woo
    Certified Pet Groomer
    Lancy Woo is a Certified Pet Groomer and the Owner of VIP Grooming, a pet grooming salon based in San Francisco, California. VIP Grooming has served San Francisco for over 35 years. Lancy received her pet grooming certification from the WWPSA (Western Word Pet Supply Association). VIP Grooming has been voted "Best in the Bay" in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and won Bay Woof’s "Beast of Bay" in 2014. In 2018, Lancy's work contributed to VIP Grooming's acceptance onto San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development's Legacy Business Registry.
    Lancy Woo
    Certified Pet Groomer
    Expert Answer
    Some dogs are sound sensitive, and usually, you don't blow dry older dogs' hair because they may have a panic attack. Try turning on the blow dryer from afar as a test. Start at the rear of the dog and see how they respond.
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      References

      1. ↑ Lancy Woo. Certified Pet Groomer. Expert Interview. 26 February 2020.
      2. ↑ Lancy Woo. Certified Pet Groomer. Expert Interview. 26 February 2020.
      3. ↑ http://www.schnauzers-rule.com/dogs-tear-stains.html
      4. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/tear-stains-prevent-and-clean/
      5. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/tear-stains-prevent-and-clean/
      6. ↑ https://be.chewy.com/cleaning-a-dogs-beard-stains/
      7. ↑ http://www.schnauzers-rule.com/dogs-tear-stains.html
      8. ↑ http://www.schnauzers-rule.com/dogs-tear-stains.html
      9. ↑ http://www.schnauzers-rule.com/dogs-tear-stains.html
      1. ↑ http://www.schnauzers-rule.com/dogs-tear-stains.html
      2. ↑ http://www.petsafe.net/learn/ask-a-vet-why-is-the-fur-on-my-dogs-face-or-body-stained-brown
      3. ↑ Lancy Woo. Certified Pet Groomer. Expert Interview. 26 February 2020.
      4. ↑ http://www.schnauzers-rule.com/dogs-tear-stains.html
      5. ↑ Lancy Woo. Certified Pet Groomer. Expert Interview. 26 February 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To keep a schnauzer’s face white, wipe its beard with warm water to remove any food stains. If its face is really stained, try rubbing a little dog shampoo into its beard, then rinsing it out. Additionally, wipe a wet, warm washcloth around your schnauzer’s eyes to remove any build up that can lead to staining. You should give it dog food without artificial colors so the food dyes won't discolor its fur. Make sure to give your dog filtered water as well, so the minerals won't stain its coat. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to trim your schnauzer’s facial hair to avoid staining, keep reading!

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