How to Improve the Color on a Black Dog's Coat

Black fur is especially handsome with a bit of shine.
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Beginning with proper nutrition and ending with a good bath, improving the condition of your black dog's coat is as easy as one, two, three. A dog's coat provides an overall indicator of health and by working from the inside out, your pooch will glisten and shine in no time.

Examine your dog's diet. A diet lacking in essential nutrients will produce dull, brittle, lackluster fur. Ideally, your dog's food will have a named protein source such as chicken or beef as the first ingredient, be free of corn and soy products, not contain dyes, sweeteners or chemical preservatives and include fiber from whole grains, pulps, fruits or vegetables. WebMD recommends fatty acids, particularly omega-6 and omega-3, supplements to enhance shine and overall coat condition.

Bathe your pooch with a shampoo formulated for dogs. Dogs' skin pH is significantly lower than that of humans, and as such, human shampoo will dry out their skin, cause it to flake and strip their coat of oils. The exact brand or formula of dog shampoo isn't as important as the ingredients it contains, but keep in mind that oatmeal, coconut oil and tea tree oil all provide excellent benefits for your pup's skin and coat. Make sure to rinse your dog thoroughly.

Spritz your dog with a leave-in coat conditioner between baths. Black fur shows dust horribly and when dusty, your dog's natural sheen is masked. After spritzing the conditioner onto your pooch's fur, lightly rub your pup down with a towel, grooming glove or bristle brush to massage the conditioner in and to remove stray bits of dirt and dust.

Brush your dog regularly. For short-coated dogs, use a bristle brush and for pooches with longer fur, use a pin brush. Brushing your dog distributes your pup's natural coat oils evenly, removes dead hair and helps his coat to glisten.

Place a brightly colored collar or bandanna on your dog. Nothing brings out the depth of a black coat more than a splash of contrasting color. Red, blue, pink and bright green all look fantastic on black fur.

Tips

  • Always talk to your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet or adding supplements.

Tips

  • Always talk to your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet or adding supplements.

Items You Will Need

  • High-quality dog food
  • Fatty acid supplements
  • Dog shampoo
  • Leave-in coat conditioner
  • Towel
  • Brush
  • Brightly colored bandanna