If you have a dog or puppy, you will know that there is a
lot more to a dog’s care than merely playing and feeding. You have to bathe
your canine friend and brush his coat so he looks his best. Bathing involves
more than hosing him down in the bath and there are some important things
you should know about how to keep his fur clean and healthy, which results
in a happier dog.
First of all, you should brush your dog’s fur before bathing him. This will
make the bathing easier but also lets you clean the skin under the fur. If
you wash the excess, shedding fur off rather than brushing it off, your
drain will get clogged pretty quickly. You should make sure you select the
right type of brush for the sort of hair your dog has. The general rule is
that the coarser his hair, the wider teeth your brush or comb will need but
this varies from dog to dog, so the best thing is to buy a brush from your
vet who can recommend one. Brushing your dog should be a pleasant
experience, for both you and him, and you should use gentle, long strokes.
Begin at the dog’s head and brush down to the tail, always using long and
gentle strokes. If he is matted, you can spray him with a special dog hair
detangler. Detanglers also help to condition the dog’s fur and skin.
Dogs require bathing more than just once a week. Playing outside can attract
a lot of dirt and the dirtier your dog gets, the harder it is to remove the
grime. Years ago, it was not recommended to bathe them more frequently than
once a week because of possible fur or skin damage but years ago humans
didn’t bathe much more than that either! Dog shampoos and conditioners have
come a long way since then and are gentle but effective, and certainly safe
to use several times a week if necessary.
When it is doggie bath time, you should use either a utility tub or a bath.
Make sure the water is lukewarm but be sure it is not too hot because pets
can get scalded the same way we can. You should put cotton balls in your
dog’s ears to keep them dry because many dogs are prone to ear infections
from getting their ears wet inside. You should also apply canine
eye-protecting ointment.
Wash your dog everywhere and rinse him well. Residue soap can cause
irritation. Make sure the groin and armpits are especially well rinsed and
wash his toes carefully. If your dog is a longhair variety, you might wish
to shampoo him twice and apply the conditioner again too. Rinse well and dry
him until his fur is slightly damp but no more. No matter how well you dry
him, he will shake himself too! You can use a hairdryer (set to warm not
hot) to blow dry him if you like. Most dogs like this. This makes his fur
look fluffy and full.
We love our pets and want them to feel and look good. If you brush and bathe
your dog, he will appreciate you for it and feel happier.
