How to Give Your Dog a Bath

By: Mike Steele

Deciding when and how to bathe your dog is often difficult. This is because your dogs bathing frequency depends on a list of factors: your dogs breed, how much time they spend outdoors, your dog's age, as well as any existing medical conditions, just to name a few.

Simply, when and how you bathe your dog will change throughout the year as well as throughout the dog's life. Below is a list of reasons that your dog may need a bath, as well as some pointers to help you along the way:

1. Your dog encountered something and smells.
This is the #1 reason that your dog is bathed. If your pal is like ours and has a way of finding something smelly to roll in, then he’ll need a bath right away. Use a good shampoo like Bio Groom ® and don't be afraid to wash him twice if needed.

2. Your dog has a “doggy smell”.
Odor on your dogs coat can often be traced to a problem with their ears, mouth, feet, or anal glands. An odor coming from the skin is often a sign of disease, such as a yeast infection. Any dog with more than a "doggy smell” should be checked by your veterinarian. For dogs with a simple doggy odor, choose a general shampoo, such as Tomlyn Shampoos.

3. Your dog has dandruff.
Dandruff can be caused by dry, irritated, or oily skin, however all of these conditions can be helped by selecting an appropriate shampoo as well as good bathing habits. Be sure to check with your veterinarian or groomer to determine the cause of your dog's skin condition. For general treatment try using Kelco Filthy Animal Shampoo.

4. Your dog has allergies.
Bathing your pooch with itchy skin from allergies can be soothing and also help reduce itching. In many cases, a soothing oatmeal shampoo or a gentle hypo-allergenic can be used.

5. Your dog has fleas, mites, or lice.
Shampooing is one of the best ways to rid your dog of external parasites. Work with your veterinarian to get the appropriate diagnosis, as well as treatment options. You could try Bio-Grooms Flea & Tick Shampoo. All Bio-Groom products are tearless, and with the formulas Protein and Lanolin it’s safe to use on most dogs when you fear they may be infested. Once you determine shampoo you will need - for instance, if your dog always gets an unpleasant “doggy smell” a few weeks after bathing - then choose an appropriate shampoo and have it on hand for when you need it.

Additional tips to remember when bathing your dog…

• Always use a shampoo formulated for dogs. Human shampoos are often harsher than pet shampoos, which can do more damage than good if you use human shampoo on pets.

• Start bathing when a dog is young so bath time will be easier throughout the life of your dog.

• Regular brushing is one of the best ways to take care of your dog's skin and coat. Consult your veterinarian or breeder to determine the appropriate grooming cycle for your dog. Remember brushing and removing mats should always be done before bathing.

• Fatty acid supplements used in addition to your pet's good diet will help maintain a healthy coat and skin. For the best coats, we recommend daily brushing, regular baths, and supplementation with a fatty acid supplement like Linatone Plus for Dogs or Lipiderm Tablets.

Every dog needs to be bathed. With the advice of your veterinarian or groomer and these helpful hints, you can be sure that your dog looks, feels, and most importantly smells great. Something your whole family will appreciate!

Mike Steele

http://www.dog.com

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