How often to bathe a dog?

Wild and stray relatives of dogs do live without bathing, but they have an abundance of dermatological problems and parasites.

Pets should definitely take a bath. All the dust and dirt from the street settles on the dog’s fur, and then he licks it all off. It also spreads on the home floor, furniture and bed linen. Not to mention the fact that many dogs love to have fun in the mud or puddles, so bathing is indispensable here.

Now let’s figure out how to do it right and what can affect the frequency of water procedures.

This must be taken into account:

• Activity

Agree, the baby, who spent the whole walk on the handles of the “mother” or jumped on the grass for several minutes, does not need a thorough washing. It is enough for the baby to wipe the paws and muzzle with a damp cloth.

If you are the owner of a medium or large dog that can walk a lot and for a long time in different areas, washing paws, muzzles and thorough combing are inevitable after each exit to the street.

• Wool Features

The coat of some dogs gets dirty faster, others slower – and this is normal. There is a myth that short-haired dogs need to be washed less often. But they produce even more sebum than long-haired pets. Despite the short coat, they need to be washed at least once a month. Hairless pets are washed even more often.

Quadrupeds with soft and long hair should also be washed at least once a month. Especially if the dog has a fluffy tummy and panties that collect all the dirt from the street.

• Conditions of detention

Dogs that live in apartments should be bathed at least once every 21 days and thoroughly wipe their paws after each walk.

A dog that lives in the yard of a private house does not need frequent washing. Depending on the breed, these dogs are bathed about once every 1-2 months, sometimes a couple of times a year.

• Season

As for daily procedures, in winter it is enough for a dog to wipe its paws and remove snow adhering to its coat. In summer, road dust will be the main problem. And in autumn and spring, the owner will have to stay in the bath with the pet longer to wash off the dirt.

On average, dogs are recommended to be washed at least once every 1-3 weeks, because the skin renewal cycle is 4 days.

Bathing a dog in the bathroom should follow the following rules:

1. Before washing, carefully examine the dog for rashes, irritations, wounds, tangles. If there is any damage to the skin, you should consult with a veterinarian.

2. Comb long hair in advance, because. after washing, it will be more difficult to do this. Lost hair can be removed with a slicker and mat cutters. Do not forget to moisten the coat with a special spray before combing.

3. Be sure to lay a towel or mat on the bottom of the tub. So you will not only protect the surface from dog claws, but also allow the dog to feel more confident and not slip.

4. Do not draw too cold or hot water. The optimum temperature is 35 °C.

5. Wash your pet only with a special shampoo and conditioner. If there are funds specifically for your breed – get them. Human shampoo and soap have a high pH level, which will negatively affect the dog’s skin and coat.

6. Before using the product, carefully read the instructions and follow them.

7. For paws, you can also purchase a special tool that is gentle on the skin and does not dry the paw pads. You can use this shampoo at least every day. By the way, a dog conditioner is perfect for the role of daily paw shampoo: it does not dry the skin.

8. Go beyond shampoo. Be sure to also purchase an air conditioner, preferably of the same brand. The fact is that the shampoo “opens” the scales of the hair in order to clean it, that is, the hair loses its smooth structure. The conditioner closes the scales, restores smoothness to the hair, and at the same time neutralizes the detergent components remaining on the skin and restores pH.

9. Consider the age of your pet: there are different products for puppies and adult dogs.

10. Before applying the shampoo, you need to wet the coat well, it should be completely wet. Soap the most polluted places first.

11. After water procedures, you need to carefully wipe the dog with a towel. The room should be warm, without drafts.

12. Short-haired pets dry quickly on their own, but it is advisable for long-haired beauties to dry their fur coats with a hairdryer with a not very hot air stream. If the coat is not dried, microbes will quickly develop in a humid environment, so the dog will start to smell bad.

Particular attention should be paid to drying the paws, between the fingers. Such areas do not dry out well, and due to moisture, the skin begins to sweat and become inflamed.

13. If your pet bathed in a pond, this does not mean that you can not wash it at home. Rivers and lakes are full of microbes that settle on wool. If they are not removed, the dog will begin to smell bad and may develop numerous skin problems.

If the pollution is local and the dog needs to be quickly put in order, and also if there is no water and conditions for bathing nearby, it will be convenient to use dry shampoo.

Washing is a very important process for every dog. Consider the breed and other characteristics of your pet in order to maintain its health and appearance.