Bathing Your Dog

           Bathing a dog needs to be given more emphasis. This is because if you are careless in bathing, the animal may have some infections. For example, suppose you don’t close the ears with a large cotton ball. In that case, the water may enter into ear canals and cause some ear infections with signs like constant discharge from the ears and a shaking head.

           The frequency of bathing actually depends on the breed of the dog. If the dog is of a hairy type like the cocker spaniel, then the bathing is to be carried out once in six to eight weeks. If these breeds are bathed too frequently, the skin and coat lose their protective characteristics.

However, when the dog has defecated on the skin due to the frequent digestive upsets leading to diarrhea, the dog may be subjected to regular bathing by the owners to avoid a bad smell.

           Take more care in avoiding irritant soaps or human soaps. The soap materials used by human beings are not suitable for dogs.

Similarly, many human shampoo products have ingredients that are not suitable for the proportions that are to be used in the case of dogs. Hence, always try to use the shampoo products that are mentioned mainly for use in dogs. Take more care in using any new product as well.

           Always have products required for bathing in one place near your water source. Whether outside on the lawn or if you are using a bathtub, have everything in one place and start bathing the dog. You may need a leash, conditioner, towel, and shampoo in the bath place. Conditioners can help make the combing activity easier.

Bathing should be a fun and convenient activity for the dog and the owner.