There are many myths and ideas about how often you can wash your dogs and if it is healthy/beneficial to do so or not. Let a professional put your mind at ease.
Myth#1 you shouldnt wash you dog too often.
If you have ever seen the beautiful long flowing coats on show dogs running around the ring, you might not realize that those dogs are bathed, conditioned, and blowdryed every 3-6 DAYS. It actually is better for the coat to only brush out clean conditioned hair, if you use good enough quality product, and follow certain technique.
Many of my grooming clients come in on a 2-4 week rotation. If they are not super dirty, i will forgo the second bath and scrub them in a gentler shampoo, and always follow with conditioner.
**TIP*** to do a spa deep condition, apply the warmed conditoner solution, then place syran wrap over body and wrap in towel, or run warm water over a towel and wrap dog in warm towel. soak for 5 minutes, then rinse in lukewarm water to seal the hair shaft.***
Myth#2 you should never bathe a cat
actually cats are greaseballs and without regular bath & brushouts they will attract more dirt and matt more easily(same with dogs). Cats do not need conditioner, just a good degreasing shampoo. It is not safe to use "just anything" on cats as their liver cannot process chemicals well, so stick to cat approved shampoo only, no dishsoap!
K9 Competition Strip off is safe and very effective. Buy it here.
Chubbs soap bars are formulated by the National Cat Grooming School fo ruse on cats, purchase at ItzaClip!
***TIP** cats can be totally bathed and blowdryed in a low stress manner if introduced right from kitten, even older calm cats often let me completely bath and mostly dry them. put a towel on the bottom of the tub to give them somthing to hold on to, dont spray them with water, mix it up with shampoo in a jug(nice and warm)and slowly pour while rubbing cat, stay calm, and scruff if nessisary to keep from getting scratched or bit. Usually its best left to professionals, unless the cat is ok with baths.
Myth #3 outdoor dogs don't need baths
This is completely untrue! this myth goes back to the days of "working dogs" when you wanted that stinky skin oil(sebum) to repel the water when they hunted so that they would not get soaked to the skin. People used to use harsh detergents like dish soap that completely stripped the skin of any oils- thus the advice to not bath often. completely different if you use quality products like K9 Competition. outdoor pets especially need healthy skin & coat to stay warm or cool. without removing the dirt, oil, dander, and dead/loose hair, they quickly mat up and moisture and bacteria forms under the layer of mats. This is an ideal spot for flea's, tick, and maggots to set up shop. ungroomed Dogs are colder in winter and hotter in summer because their layer of insulation has been reduced to the equivalent of a damp blanket. even if you don't get them trimmed for winter, regular bath, dry and brush out will keep them the warmest in winter and coolest in summer.
***TIP*** make sure you request your groomer not "scoop out" the pads of the feet of an outside dog, trimming them flush will leave some protection against the snow and ice(as long as they are not matted)***
**TIP** while your dog is sudsy, use a slicker brush to *LIGHTLY* brush out mats & loose hair, the suds acts as lubricant, and the dirt which holds the mats in is gone.
Myth #4 short haired breeds don't need baths/grooming
Smooth coats benefit from regular bath & conditioner just like other breeds, and in fact you can greatly reduce their shedding and keep their skin healthy by following these simple tips.
**TIP** Use an old scrub mitt to lightly exfoliate, always massage in shampoo & conditioner, rinse with tepid water to prevent shedding(use warmer to stimulate shedding), and finish with boar bristle brush to stimulate skin, distribute oils, and promote healthy cells.
By following these simple tips, you can successfully have a clean, warm, mat free pet at home, and by doing this in between grooms, you save money in dematting fee's.
See how i bath my poodle puppy here
Myth#1 you shouldnt wash you dog too often.
If you have ever seen the beautiful long flowing coats on show dogs running around the ring, you might not realize that those dogs are bathed, conditioned, and blowdryed every 3-6 DAYS. It actually is better for the coat to only brush out clean conditioned hair, if you use good enough quality product, and follow certain technique.
Many of my grooming clients come in on a 2-4 week rotation. If they are not super dirty, i will forgo the second bath and scrub them in a gentler shampoo, and always follow with conditioner.
**TIP*** to do a spa deep condition, apply the warmed conditoner solution, then place syran wrap over body and wrap in towel, or run warm water over a towel and wrap dog in warm towel. soak for 5 minutes, then rinse in lukewarm water to seal the hair shaft.***
Myth#2 you should never bathe a cat
actually cats are greaseballs and without regular bath & brushouts they will attract more dirt and matt more easily(same with dogs). Cats do not need conditioner, just a good degreasing shampoo. It is not safe to use "just anything" on cats as their liver cannot process chemicals well, so stick to cat approved shampoo only, no dishsoap!
K9 Competition Strip off is safe and very effective. Buy it here.
Chubbs soap bars are formulated by the National Cat Grooming School fo ruse on cats, purchase at ItzaClip!
***TIP** cats can be totally bathed and blowdryed in a low stress manner if introduced right from kitten, even older calm cats often let me completely bath and mostly dry them. put a towel on the bottom of the tub to give them somthing to hold on to, dont spray them with water, mix it up with shampoo in a jug(nice and warm)and slowly pour while rubbing cat, stay calm, and scruff if nessisary to keep from getting scratched or bit. Usually its best left to professionals, unless the cat is ok with baths.
Myth #3 outdoor dogs don't need baths
This is completely untrue! this myth goes back to the days of "working dogs" when you wanted that stinky skin oil(sebum) to repel the water when they hunted so that they would not get soaked to the skin. People used to use harsh detergents like dish soap that completely stripped the skin of any oils- thus the advice to not bath often. completely different if you use quality products like K9 Competition. outdoor pets especially need healthy skin & coat to stay warm or cool. without removing the dirt, oil, dander, and dead/loose hair, they quickly mat up and moisture and bacteria forms under the layer of mats. This is an ideal spot for flea's, tick, and maggots to set up shop. ungroomed Dogs are colder in winter and hotter in summer because their layer of insulation has been reduced to the equivalent of a damp blanket. even if you don't get them trimmed for winter, regular bath, dry and brush out will keep them the warmest in winter and coolest in summer.
***TIP*** make sure you request your groomer not "scoop out" the pads of the feet of an outside dog, trimming them flush will leave some protection against the snow and ice(as long as they are not matted)***
**TIP** while your dog is sudsy, use a slicker brush to *LIGHTLY* brush out mats & loose hair, the suds acts as lubricant, and the dirt which holds the mats in is gone.
Myth #4 short haired breeds don't need baths/grooming
Smooth coats benefit from regular bath & conditioner just like other breeds, and in fact you can greatly reduce their shedding and keep their skin healthy by following these simple tips.
**TIP** Use an old scrub mitt to lightly exfoliate, always massage in shampoo & conditioner, rinse with tepid water to prevent shedding(use warmer to stimulate shedding), and finish with boar bristle brush to stimulate skin, distribute oils, and promote healthy cells.
By following these simple tips, you can successfully have a clean, warm, mat free pet at home, and by doing this in between grooms, you save money in dematting fee's.
See how i bath my poodle puppy here
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