Does your dog already smell bad or looks messy, so you think it needs a bath? Regular pet care is necessary to maintain your furry friend’s cleanliness, health, and comfort. However, you should use the right products like clippers and all natural dog shampoo to avoid irritation and even injuries.
According to veterinary dermatologist Doctor Robert Hilton, healthy dogs should only take a bath if they already smell bad or look dirty. Pretty Paws LLC owner Beth Cristiano, however, claimed that the frequency of bathing a dog depends on factors like its breed, length of coat, and lifestyle. Many experts recommend bathing frequencies from weekly to every 4-to-6 weeks, depending on their condition.
Benefits of All Natural Dog Shampoos
In general, dog skins are more sensitive than humans because they are thinner. Therefore, it is necessary to utilize mild shampoos like those made of organic ingredients when bathing them to prevent skin irritation or allergies. Here are other benefits of using all-natural dog shampoo:
- Protect your dog against allergies and other skin disorders – Using natural products on your dog helps avoid bacterial infections, skin diseases, and scratching sores. Natural shampoos also have therapeutic properties to help minor injuries and cuts heal faster.
- Maintain the right pH balance – Approved organic shampoos have no adverse effects on your canine’s sensitive skin.
- Prevent shedding or hair loss – Harsh shampoos can induce dog shedding and may cause skin irritation or dryness. You can avoid these by using all-natural products.
- Keep your pet’s healthy skin and shiny coat – Because they contain no harsh chemicals, natural shampoos will maintain your four-legged friend’s good health.
Step-by-Step Process of Bathing Your Dog
Experts recommend you should do a full-shampoo bath of your pet no more than once a week to maintain good skin condition. Here is a basic guide for bathing your canine:
- Prepare your bathing supplies – Get all your materials ready before wetting your dog. Some of the things you need are a dog shampoo, towels, dog treats, and a tub.
- Put a non-slip material at the bottom of the tub to prevent your dog from slipping.
- Slowly wet your dog with lukewarm water to avoid overwhelming it – If the dog becomes unruly, you feed it with treats while desensitizing it from the water.
- Wet your canine thoroughly before applying shampoo – When bathing your dog, avoid getting water on the ears because this can cause an infection. Only spray water up to the neck to prevent water from entering the ears. Clean the head separately, but be more careful. Do not use soap around his/her ears and eyes.
- Apply shampoo from the neck down to the rear and legs thoroughly – You can run a rake or rubber curry brush for better shampoo distribution.
- Thoroughly rinse your dog to remove all dirt and shampoo bubbles – Focus on the chest area and in between the legs when washing.
- Dry your pet using the towels – You can blow dry your dog if necessary.
You should put extra care when bathing your canine to avoid potential health problems like skin injuries, ear infection, and hair loss. By following the step-by-step guide and other tips, you will thoroughly clean your dog and maintain his/her pleasant smell for your enjoyment.
