Maintaining proper hygiene for pets is absolutely essential for their health and well-being. When you give your pet a bath, you can thoroughly check their skin and look for signs of skin infection that may be hidden under the thick fur. Again, a bath makes sure that the outer coat of the dog is clean and free of insect infestations. In fact, it is also important to use a conditioner during the winter because it keeps the skin moist and less itchy. Thus, there are several reasons why you should give your pet dog a bath every two months or so.
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Why Is Bathing A Dog A Challenging Task
It is quite challenging to bathe a dog because most of them do not like getting their furs wet. Some of them might enjoy splashing water in a pool, but most of them will detest getting completely drenched. Some dogs become highly stressed and anxious at the sight of a bathtub filled with water, and in these cases, you need to be extra cautious.
If you have a dog and you are not sure about how frequently you should bathe them or how you should keep them healthy, you can go to itseverythingdogs.com.
Source: forevervets.com
Some Steps You Should Take To Your Bathe Your Dog Comfortably
Try Looking For A Pet Spa In Your Community
Many gated communities offer salons or spas for pets. If you have such a spa in your neighborhood, then you should visit that place. These spas hire professionals who are well-trained to handle dogs.
Moreover, you can get a comprehensive grooming session in a spa. These places cut nails, give baths, they also check for infections. You can also get a funky hairstyle done for your little fur baby if you visit a pet spa or parlor. However, visits to the spa can be expensive, so here is what you need to do to bathe your pet yourself.
Get The Right Products
It is vital to get the right kind of shampoo for your dog. You should carefully read the ingredients that are used in making the shampoo. It is advisable to use organic products instead of harsh chemicals. Chemicals can make the skin dry and remove all the essential oils that the animal skin secretes naturally. Again, it is better to go for products that do not use artificial smells or colors because these might affect the natural quality of the fur. If you are confused about any ingredient, it is better to consult the veterinary doctor before making a purchase.
Source: petbarn.com
Find The Right Spot
Here are a few things that you should keep in mind before you finalize on the spot to bathe your pet
- You can select a sink if your pet is small in size; alternatively, you can buy a standing bathtub if your pet is not small enough to fit into the sink.
- You should be prepared to remove tufts of hair from whichever place you select
- If you are using the bathroom, make sure to lock the door because chances are that your pet will make an attempt to escape.
Collect All The Items that You Will Need
You should start after you have all the items that you might possibly need for the bathing session. Keep the shampoo, the towel, and the conditioner handy. It is always a good idea to keep a few goodies, like a small toy that your dog loves to play with, because this will keep them calm.
Start With Brushing The Fur
The first step should be to gently brush the hair. You can do this outside the bathroom because brushing might cause a lot of hair to deposit on the floors. You should ideally brush for five to twenty minutes depending upon the thickness of the outer coat. The brushing step is vital because it untangles the fur. The hair gets tangled because of the deposition of dirt and oil, and a proper brushing session makes the fur easy to massage.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
Learn The Right Technique Of Giving A Bath
You should know the right technique to give a bath, or else you might leave your dog agitated and unhappy. It is always advisable to mix the shampoo and conditioner in your hand before applying them to the fur.
You should gently rub the fur to create a foam. If your pet likes to play with a particular toy, you can give it to them so that they will be engrossed in playing while you are cleaning him. After this, you should use a jet of water to remove all the foam. However, you should make sure that the soap does not enter the eye or the ear of the animals because it will cause a burning sensation.
Pat Dry The Fur
The final step is to pat dry the fur. You should be gentle while using the towel. Dogs also have a tendency to shake and remove as much water as possible, so you must be prepared to get wet in the process of drying your pet.
If you are not comfortable with using a towel, you can invest in a blow dryer. Blow dryers are quite efficient in drying the fur, but you should not heat it too much, or else it might burn the fur. Also, the dryer must not be placed very close to the hair, or else the hair might get entangled in the dryer.
Source: dogsbestlife.com
Conclusion
Most dogs do not like taking a bath, and hence they can be quite fussy if they have to stay wet for quite some time. But regular washing is essential not only for the dog’s health but also for the health and well-being of the owner. Dangerous pests can spread from animal fur, and cleaning them once in a while is a good practice that must be adhered to. However, if your dog is very fussy, you can consult the vet to find ways to soothe him during and after a bathing session.
