Pampering Pooches at Home – How to Correctly Bath Your Dog
Some dogs seem to be attracted to mud and dirt and if your dog has ever returned from a walk, having proudly rolled in fox poo, you will understand the importance of being able to bath your dog correctly.
Bathing is essential to maintain your dog’s coat and avoid fungal and bacterial problems. Some dogs will require bathing more frequently than others, such as working dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, whereas others that spend much of their time indoors will not need to be bathed very often.
If your dog suffers from a skin issue, bathing might form part of the treatment, using special shampoo prescribed by your vet.
Where you decide to bath your dog is personal choice, the shower provides an ideal space for when they inevitably shake off the excess water but if you prefer not to use your bathroom, an old baby bath or large tub would be sufficient depending upon the size of your dog.
Give your dog a good brush before bathing to remove any knots and make sure to have some old towels to hand or a special drying bag that you can now buy to quickly and effectively dry your dog.
A dogs skin is quite sensitive so it is important to check the temperature of the water in much the same way you would do if bathing a baby, making sure it is not too hot but not too cold either.
Saturate the coat in water, working from the neck down, taking care not to get water in your dog’s ears, as this can be uncomfortable for them and potentially cause health problems such as an ear infection.
Using a specialist dog shampoo, rub into the coat to work up a good lather, across the back and down the legs. Rub under the belly area and down the tail before washing the face last, avoiding the mouth and delicate eye area.
It is important to choose a shampoo specifically designed for dogs as human shampoo can be too harsh for a dog’s sensitive skin.
Next, rinse thoroughly to ensure all the shampoo is removed from the coat, any residue can cause skin irritations so repeated rinsing may be necessary.
When it comes to drying your dog, this is where it can get a little bit exciting, as a good rub with a towel can sometimes be seen as an invite to play. Some dogs are more than happy to sit while they are dried using a hair dryer whilst others will find the noise frightening, always remember to use a cooler setting.
Bath time should be a positive experience for any dog so it is a good idea to introduce them to the soap suds while they are young.
The Benefits of GPCo Supplements for a Healthy Skin and Coat
Many owners are seeing the benefits of a healthy skin and coat when feeding TurmerEase™ which is formulated with TurmerAid™. The added TurmerAid™ maintains the integrity of skin and promotes a shiny coat thanks to the carefully selected ingredients which include turmeric and linseed.
Our other turmeric supplements also promote a healthy skin and coat.
Research suggests curcumin can help hair follicle growth and blend with good cholesterol to improve fatty acid access to the skin and hair, whilst delivering essential oils to the sebum. The sebum is the oily secretion that gives a glossy coat and also masks the chemicals in the skin that attracts ticks. Following that vein, turmeric reduces allergic responses to tick bites, and helps support the immunological response to infection through that route.
