“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole” – as
the saying goes, pets form an integral part of our lives. A clean and odour-free pet is a joy to be around with.
Its shower time again! “Bow wow, not now!!” said the dog to bathing.
Images of the last unsuccessful bathing sessions immediately flash your minds.
Chasing him down, whining, panting, drooling and at the end only leaving you
more soaked than he is!
Pets are also vulnerable to body odour just as humans. Their typical doggy odours are just like we humans have a
typical scent. Maintaining your pet and keeping your dog well groomed will help
lower his natural odour as well as reduce the canine scent in your house.
The quality and texture of the dog’s hair (whether it’s long, silky,
curly, smooth, or wiry) determines how much dirt it collects and frequency
required to bathe the dog. Your dog’s lifestyle and activities will also
influence how often he gets dirty and needs a bath. If you own a dog with
special coat requirements, you may wish to consult a breeder or a professional
groomer for specific recommendations. Below are a few tips for a fuss free pet
shower:
·
Walk the dog: Before bathing a dog, make sure you give your
dog a long walk. This will help drain his energy and reduce his stress. Your
dog is much more likely to surrender to a bath if he’s too tired to put up a
fight.
·
Gather
supplies: Collect everything you need for the bath in advance like shampoo,
conditioner and a towel. Keep them within your reach. Place a nonstick bath mat
in the tub to keep your dog’s feet from slipping out under his feet. Also set
the water temperature to lukewarm for your dog’s comfort.
·
Brushing and bathing: Also brush out all snarls and tangles
and remove mats. If this step is omitted, the wet, matted hair will set and be
most difficult to manage. It is important to select a shampoo labeled for
“dogs.” The pH of canine skin is neutral (7 to 7.4). Most shampoos for humans
are on the acid side and are therefore unsuitable for dogs.
Regular bathing and brushing keeps hair shedding to a minimum as well.
This ritual also helps you be aware of any new unnatural lumps and bumps on his
skin that might need a veterinarian to check. So bathing is a good thing!
Bathing also removes accumulated dirt and debris. Oily coats are rinsed off
thus improving the appearance of the coat. However, frequent bathing is
not necessary for the health of the coat or the dog. In fact, frequent bathing
can rob the coat of its natural sheen and make it harsh and dry. For most dogs,
regular brushing will keep the coat and skin in good condition and
eliminate the need for frequent baths.
There are many dry shampoos
available commercially. ‘Bathe Me Dry’ is a natural dry shampoo which does not
require water. Hence rinsing is not necessary and causing less whine and fuss
for your pet. Bathe Me Dry is a unique concept of dry bath for dogs. It is a
natural powdered dog shampoo that gives the dog a pleasurable bathing
experience. Its citrus fragrance removes bad odour and makes your pooch smell
fresh.
As most pet owners know, bathing a canine excessively can cause skin
problems. Fortunately, you can dry bathe your dog considerably reducing skin
irritations, dirty fur and the wet dog smell. While nothing replaces the
traditional bath for deep cleaning your dog's coat, dry shampoo is a quick way
to absorb excess oil and to remove odour. Dry shampoo is also handy during
those cold winter months when exposing a wet dog to the elements is out of the
question. After all, “Every dog must have his day.”
