The best tips on giving a puppy a bath:
While it may seem elementary, giving a dog a bath can be challenging for many reasons such as: the dog won’t stay still, what type of dog or puppy shampoo should be used and how often should dogs be bathed. We will aslo look a different products to include medicated dog shampoo.
To add to that if it is not done correctly it can be difficult for the dog as well! In case you have a big dog, then handling the dog may not be easy.
So let’s start from the top. While it is necessary for the dog to have bath at regular intervals, we suggest doing it no more than weekly. Otherwise their body will not have enough time to produce natural oils that are needed to protect their coats and hair. The result will be dry skin and an itchy dog! Here is a good general rule of thumb to follow: if your dog is fairly active and spends a few hours outside each day give him, or her, a bath every other week. If your dog spends most of the time indoors provide a bath every third week. Having said that there are exceptions. If your dog is older and bathing is painful cut back, going as long as you feel is acceptable. On the other end of the spectrum, if you have a dog that just seems to always get dirty and stinks then provide a bath every week. Also be dog itchy skin or dog eczema , or dogs dermatitis as these are signs that a medicated dog shampoo should be used.
One thing to remember, regardless of bathing frequency, is to use a high quality dog shampoo for dry skin that is mild and rich in amino acids and moisturizers. Adding to this, and in fact perhaps most importantly, never use human shampoo on a dog. While it may seem harmless enough, dog coats have a much different ph make up than human hair; as a result human shampoo will change their natural ph levels and possibly cause many issues such as limited natural oil production, flaky skin, hot spots, rashes, or itchy skin. Another thing to remember is that a dog shampoo with qualitynatural ingredients wil help stop stinky dog smell.
Moving on, we might as well use the bath as an opportunity to groom as well. When I say groom I don’t mean simply in the ascetic sense but form a health perspective. These don’t need to be done during every bath but need to be done when necessary. Specific item include:
- Cut their nails - do this before bathing as dogs tend to be very excited and happy after a bath and would rather run around.
- Clean any tear stains below the eyes.
- Check real well inside their ears for dirt or build up. There are cleaning kits available to clean dog ears or you can have the veterinarian do it during a check up.
- Give your dog a good “inspection” to look for anything abnormal such a growths, dry spots, scratching spots, irritations, or painful areas. If you detect anything have the vet check it out.
Before I wrap up this article, here is some more information that may help with the bath:
- After bathing brush the dog properly and gently to remove the tangles. In summer, you can bath your dog outside, but make sure that the place where you are bathing your dog is not muddy and make sure the water is not too cold (if your dog shakes, the water is too cold.)
- You can use a small pool, this works well for many people we have spoken with.
- You can use normal water in summer, but in winter the water should be warm. Check the water before you start giving your dog bath.
- Keep toys and treats close by to bribe the dog if needed! This will help in calming the dog.
- Put cotton balls in the ears of the dog to prevent water entering the ears if they are sensitive.
- Wet the body with warm water. Apply shampoo generously on the body, beginning from the face and then moving backwards. Do not rub with force, be gentle.
- Let the shampoo soak the body for a minute or two.
- Now, wash off the body with warm water, taking care that the water does not enter the mouth and nose of the dog. Start washing from the face and then proceed behind.
- Check that no shampoo remains on the body, as it can cause irritation to your dog.
- Immediately dry the dog with a towel.
- Remove the cotton buds that you have placed in the dog’s ears.
- You can use a hair dryer for drying the dog. Keep the dryer setting to minimum to prevent the dog from getting burned.
- If it is winter, then don’t let the dog go outside unless it is completely dry.
- Some dogs may be scared or just nervous about bathing. You need to calm and convey that a bath is ok. Don’t get nervous yourself as dogs will pick up on this and feel that there is a reason to be nervous.
Remember that after the bath your buddy may be excited and want to run around. This is ok (as long as it is with you), in fact in the warmer months it will help in drying.
We hope this article brings value to you! For more information please check contact us at Evolution Pet Supply suppliers of natural dog shampoo for dry skin!
