Top 10 Dog Bathing Tips:
- Groom him meticulously before the bath to prevent any tangles he has from worsening.
- Place a drain screen over the drain so that hair doesn’t clog your pipes.
- Put down a rubber mat to prevent slipping.
- Check the water’s temperature to make sure it’s not too hot or cold.
- Put cotton balls in each of your dog’s ears so that water doesn’t get into them. (But don’t forget to take them out after!)
- Close the bathroom door so he has no escape route if he’s prone to quick getaways!
- Use proper dog shampoo, preferably shampoo that suits his skin, and any special conditions he may have.
- Make sure to rinse thoroughly.
- Use a proper dog coat conditioner to detangle your dog’s coat.
- Dry him out very well so his coat doesn’t become lumpy.
Dental Care
Dental care can help prevent oral disease in cats and dogs. The bacteria that lurk in a pet’s mouth may be the cause of bad breath and more. Bacteria accumulation can lead to oral disease and increase the risk for disease in other organs, such as the heart, liver and kidneys, according to research.
The American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) reports that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. In fact, oral disease is the most common health problem treated in small animal clinics today.
The partners of the Pets Need Dental Care, Too (TM) campaign, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Dental Society, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., urge pet owners to undertake a three-step dental care program.
- Visit your veterinarian for a complete checkup.
- Start a pet dental care routine at home.
- Continue regular veterinary dental checkups.
Grooming
Depending on the coat type, some dogs may need more grooming than others. The flatter coat pups will most likely have some continuous hair growth like a Poodle, but may be manageable with a quick trim at home. The fuller coated, thicker pups will need to be groomed every few months and possibly brushed out daily or every other day, so please figure this into your daily and financial schedule. Healthy ears are clean, free of debris, and without odor. Hair growing in the dog’s ear canal needs to be removed to help prevent infection and make it easier to clean. Ear powder makes the ear hair easier to grab and remove. To remove the hair, apply a small amount of ear powder into the ear canal, making sure the hair is covered with powder. Hold the earflap back with one hand while you gently pluck the hair with your thumb and forefinger of your other hand. After you have pulled the ear hair, wipe the ear out with a dry cotton ball, or one slightly moistened with mineral oil. Healthy ears will not need a lot of cleaning. Cleaning a dirty ear, one that is filled with wax or debris, is another story. Fill the ear canal with ear cleaner. We find Derma Pet to work great (Your Vet will have this) or you can make this ear clearer yourself: 16 oz. isopropyl 4 tablespoons Boric Acid Powder 16 drops gentian violet solution 1% Mix well (very important) in bottle and shake before each use. Flood ear with solution, gently count to 60, wipe with a tissue or cotton ball. For an infection treat 2x day for the 1st week to two weeks. Treat 1x day for next week-2 week. Treat 1x moth or less frequently. Fill the ear canal completely with fluid. Massage for 30 seconds, and then let the dog shake their head. This helps flush any dirt out, and can get a little messy so maybe do it outside. Whip out the ear with cotton balls. Don’t be fearful of getting your finger deep into the canal, you won’t puncture anything. Repeat if necessary. If there is very little dirt, just dampen cotton ball with cleaner and whip. This should be done every week or so to prevent ear infections.