How often can i bathe my dog?
ItzaClip! Doggy Day Spa - "Positive Handling with a Clip!"
RSS Become a Fan

Recent Posts

How often can i bathe my dog?
how to stop eye stains on white dogs
Nothing in life is free
How to brush your dog-Part two -Technique
How to survive puppy nipping and teething

Categories

Dog food & Treats
Dog Grooming
Dog training Tips
General Tips
powered by

ItzaClip! Tip's

How often can i bathe my dog?

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 hot 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! 
Best brand is Les Pooches F & T- but expensive
my fav is TP degreaser because it only has 3 ingredients and is sea salt based.
 
***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 dont need baths
 
This is completely untrue! outdoor pets espesially need healthy skin & coat to stay warm or cool. without removing the dirt, oil, dander, and dead/loose hair, they quickly matt up and moisture and bacteria forms under the layer of matts. 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 thier layer of insulation has been reduced to the equivalent of  a damp blanket. even if you dont get them trimmed for winter, regular bath, dry and brushout 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, trimmimg 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 brush out matts & loose hair, the suds acts as lubricant, and the dirt which holds the matts in is gone.
 
Myth #4 short haired breeds dont need baths/grooming
 
Smoothcoats benefit from regular bath & conditioner just like other breeds, and infact 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 sucessfully have a clean, warm, matt free pet at home, and by doing this in between grooms, you save money in dematting fee's.
 
COMING SOON: how to properly bathe your pet(with pictures!)
 

0 Comments to How often can i bathe my dog?:

Comments RSS

Add a Comment

Your Name:
Email Address: (Required)
Website:
Comment:
Make your text bigger, bold, italic and more with HTML tags. We'll show you how.
Post Comment