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Do you ever wonder ‘How often should I give my dog a bath? or ‘How to shampoo a dog?” Our Guide to shampooing a dog below will answer all your questions.
Veterinarians and experienced owners alike, advise you not to bathe your best friend too often. Some important factors to consider when shampooing a dog include the following.
Frequent bathing can result dry skin, because it depletes the essential oils needed to keep the skin moisturized. This could result in excessive scratching, redness and inflammation.
The frequency of bathing your dog depends on the breed and your dogs’ activity level. If your dog is outside alot or playing in the dirt, you will have to bath them more often.
Double coated dogs or dogs with an undercoat should be shampooed only three to four times a year. Due to their heavy and thick fur, the entrapped moisture may become a hotspot or a breeding ground for fleas and ticks.
If you and your pooch live in a cold area, your dog should not be bathed too often as this may lead to their coat becoming soft and less fluffy thereby, losing their ability to retain heat. During the cold season your dogs’ skin and coat can become dry, so it is important to use a moisturizing product such as Perfect Coat Ultra Moisturizing Dog Shampoo during the winter months.
At the beginning of the summer season, comb out your dogs fur with a shedding tool specially made to remove your pets winter coat so fido won’t overheat. If you are planning to give your puppy a warm bath, do keep in mind that it is not eligible for a dip until five weeks old. In the meantime, a sponge bath can remove any dirt and grime that your puppy has gotten into.
One of the most important details to keep in mind while bathing your dog is to choose the right shampoo. Some of the popular products available for your canine buddy are Burt’s Bees for Dogs All Natural Oatmeal Shampoo and Nootie Oatmeal Dog Shampoo with Soothing Aloe.
Different breeds of dogs have different skin sensitivities and fur types so you should keep that in mind when choosing a dog shampoo. If your dog has a thin coat you would use a different shampoo that someone with a thick coated dog. So you may be wondering, how do I choose a dog shampoo? Does your dog have any skin issues? Do they need a hypoallergenic dog shampoo, a moisturizing shampoo, or a medicated shampoo for fleas and ticks?
If you are looking for an all-natural, paraben free and a product that does not cause irritation or inflammation to your canine buddy’s eyes/nose, do opt for the OxGord Natural Oatmeal Dog-Shampoo and Conditioner.
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Does your dog have a thick coat? If you can’t easily see their skin through their coat or can see that there is another, undercoat layer, underneath the top layer of hair then your dog has a thick coat.  You would need to purchase a shampoo such as Foam Care by Vetericyn that is specifically designed to work with thick coats. Also learn techniques to help penetrate the undercoat and give your dog a full bath.
Your thin coated dogs skin is more exposed to the elements such as wind, water, sun cold and heat and requires a specially formulated shampoo to condition the skin. A hypoallergenic oatmeal based shampoo should do the trick, such as Pro Pet Works.
A moisturizing pet shampoo such as this Natural Pet Shampoo can control and soothe irritable skin. Bonus: you can use it on your cat too!
Some dog shampoos can kill lice and prevent them from coming back. Read the bottle of shampoo carefully, some will state it right on the bottle and also list active ingredients like lime sulfur, pyrethroid, and pyrethrin. Make sure that the shampoo you purchase is effective at treating lice and still gentle on your dog.
Examples of good dog shampoos are Nootie Medicated Dog Shampoo, 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo, DakPets Dog Shampoo and Conditioner, and Nootie Oatmeal Dog Shampoo with Soothing Aloe. Read the labels and our reviews to know more about the effectiveness of each dog shampoo.
If your furry friend has allergies and sensitivities to food, grass or flea bites, then a hypoallergenic dog shampoo should do the trick.
Do you have a light colored dog such a a Bichon Frise? Some light colored dogs will get dirt stains on their faces, legs and feet from just being dogs. In order to remove those stains, you need to purchase a shampoo that is specifically formulated to whiten and brighten your dogs fur without drying it out. These products remove yellowish color of your dogs coat and restore its shine.
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The whole experience can be a smooth ride for both you and your dog, if your dog is slowly introduced to the idea of a bath. For even more tips on grooming and bathing your pets, please download our ebook, From Shabby to Dapper!
The first step is to gain your buddy’s trust could be by shaking its paw, caress the ears, and opening the jaw numerous times in a day. Applaud good behavior and consider giving the dog treats that help in reinforcing good behavior.
The grooming tools such as the brush, comb etc. should be held close to your dogs nose so they can smell them and get used to them.
As the dog becomes more accepting to being groomed, motivated them with treats. Let your dog get familiar with the calm sound of running water, try supplementing the action with tasty treats or verbal praise.
If a pet dryer is being considered, then it should be introduced to the dog in a similar manner. Bear in mind that human blow dryers are not recommended.
If you are sure that your dog will not enjoy the bathing session, seek out the help of another person to ensure that the experience for your dog remains a positive one. This will help make future grooming sessions more pleasant.
Here is a handy step by step video on how to bathe a dog at home.
Bathing your dog at home can be easy if you follow the 8 steps below.
Place an anti-skid mat in the tub before filling with water up to your dogs knees. Dog bath water temperature should be lukewarm. For stabilizing your dog while bathing, do opt for a leash and collar setup and make sure the material is made of nylon.
After the tub is made ready, lift your dog and place him in the tub. Make sure while lifting, you don’t hurt the pooch (or your back) so make sure to bend at the knees and ask for help if your dog is heavy (over 50 lbs).
Spray the back of your dog and also the shoulders to make him get used to the idea of bathing. Keep the spray set on a low, which will prevent spooking your dog. Preventing your dog from becoming scared during bath time will make future bathing and grooming sessions a breeze.
While spraying the dog with the shower nozzle try to keep an average distance of about an inch from the dog’s fur. This ensures that the water penetrates the thick coat and reaches the skin. Rub the water in with your hand to ensure that the water gets right down to the skin, especially for dogs with an undercoat.
After your dog has settled in, wash their head and avoid spraying directly on the face. Keep the head tilted slightly backwards, so that the water runs downward towards the back of the head.
Apply shampoo and gently massage until the product makes a thick lather on the fur. Keep this in mind, for thick haired dogs, it is advised to rub the shampoo for lather formation towards the direction of hair growth. This helps in preventing tangles in the coat during the bath.
Use a soft brush to clean any facial wrinkles and around the paws. Don’t forget to clean the ear flaps, under the neck and other tender areas. While cleaning the ears do keep in mind that water should not get inside the ear canal of the dog as it may cause severe infections.
During cleaning around the ear, if the dog stands up, cover the ear canal with your hand during the rinsing and washing operations. While cleaning the head, use your hand to cover his eyes so that the soap or shampoo doesn’t get inside his eyes to cause irritation.
Make sure that no residual soap or shampoo is remaining on your dogs skin and fur otherwise it may lead to skin irritations.
After bathing your pet, comes the drying. To properly dry your dog, gently squeeze out the excess water from their fur, using your hands. A large absorbent cotton towel should be used to blot out the excess moisture.
Don’t rub your dog’s fur as it may cause your dogs coat to tangle. Don’t forget to remove the cotton balls from your dog’s ear canals as trapped moisture may lead to ear infections.
Avoid letting your dog out until he or she is completely dry. To increase the gap between each bathing session brush and comb your dog on a regular basis. Keep an eye out for fleas and ticks, especially if you are out hiking or camping in the woods. And if you want to know if a waterless bath works, check out our dry dog shampoo advice here.
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If you are adopting a dog, you might wonder what puppy shampoo should I choose?
You have to pick the right one so that it’s gentle on their skin and fur while getting them clean. All natural products are best for your pooch, and always double check that the shampoo you’re buying is safe to use on your young puppy.
Let’s go over some of our tips and tricks to picking the right puppy shampoo the first time.
New pet parents know that taking care of the health and well being of a puppy is hard but rewarding work. Part of owning a puppy is bathing it in puppy shampoo.
Having a puppy requires patience and understanding. It also requires knowledge of how to take care of your new puppy. If the pup is with their mother, then she takes care of the puppy’s grooming needs.
This is not the case if the little one is under your care. Pet owners often ask themselves or others whether their pup needs a bath or not.
Well, puppies are explorers and the moment they go out to explore they get messy. Due to their natural instincts, rolling inside a pile of poop or garbage is among their favorite pastimes.
All of these add up to the puppy being too stinky to be led inside without a proper bath. Unfortunately, there could also be instances when your puppy might need to be given a bath due to health issues.
Any skin issue or an infection that might need a soothing medicated bath could be the driving cause behind your decision to give your puppy a bath.
For these early years of life, sponge bath is a great option to a full scale bath for puppies. Its also the perfect opportunity to train your puppy to enjoy instead of fear the bath.
Only in extreme stinky situations, one should opt for giving their pups a full dip with puppy shampoo. The most important aspect to keep in mind is to never use human shampoo or products on your new puppy.
As per the ASPCA, human grooming products contains additives, chemicals and fragrances that might pose serious harm to the puppy’s sensitive skin.
Always opt for a puppy shampoo that is tailored specifically for puppies and suits your puppy’s specific needs. Does the puppy have sensitive skin? Does the puppy have dry or irritable skin conditions?
Does the puppy have rashes that needs a medicated product to soothe the irritation and is recommended by the vet? All of these factors need to be kept in mind while shopping for a puppy shampoo.
There are numerous reasons to give your puppy a bath and countless products available. Hence opting for the one that is safe for the puppy should always be a priority.
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How can you be sure that you are not exposing your puppy to harmful chemicals and additives? Read the label and search out ingredients that seem odd or you can’t pronounce.
The perfect puppy shampoo can be determined by reading the label and the instructions. Depending on your preference and convenience, you can either opt for a bar or liquid form of shampoo.
Another option for dog lovers is to purchase all natural and/or organic dog shampoos. Or…you could make your own with basic ingredients found in any kitchen.Â
Click here for some great recipes you can try at home! If you are too busy to make your own all natural creations, there are natural dog shampoos that are readily available in stores.
They come in different formulations that are safe for your puppy’s sensitive skin. The following are the best commercial dog shampoos.
One of the best puppy shampoos today is 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo.
4-Legger prides themselves on providing USDA certified organic products to use on your pets. Synthetic chemicals that could harm your pet in the long run aren’t used in creating the large line of 4-Legger pet products.
Not only is 4-Legger an amazing choice for your puppy but also for the environment. What makes 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo stand out among the other dog shampoos?
The best certified organic puppy shampoo is 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo. This natural puppy shampoo is formulated only with natural ingredients that are proven effective to relieve itching, and to moisturize your dog’s skin.
4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo is very affordable and every drop is worth it. Try it now to make your puppy’s skin and hair healthier and shinier.
4 Legger carries a large line of healthy products for your pets.
Check them out here: 4 Legger
4 Legger Features |
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| 100% natural ingredients |
| USDA Certified organic |
| Biodegradable |
| No artificial ingredients |
One good puppy shampoo is Nootie Oatmeal Dog Shampoo. Â Formulated with colloidal oatmeal, coconut oil, and ordenone, which work together to relieve dry, sensitive skin, and provide a refreshing feeling.
Nootie Oatmeal also has natural ingredients to help heal irritated skin and stop your puppy from itching.
Nootie Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is not just for dogs: you can also use it on all of your pets. It’s also safe to use with topical flea and tick products.
We recommend you wait 24 hours after applying a topical treatment before giving your pet a bath.
Nootie manufacturers a large selection of dog shampoo products including tearless puppy shampoo. If you love Nootie’s products, you can also purchase larger 1 gallon jugs.
You can also purchase Nootie’s daily spritz to freshen up your pet between baths. If you want a cologne for your pet, try Nootie Dog Spritz that smells like Japanese Cherry Blossom!
Nootie Oatmeal |
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| Natural Ingredients |
| Safe for all breeds |
| Relieves itch |
| Guaranteed Safe |
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If you don’t want to expose your puppy to the frightening experience of water just yet, or have to clean them up in a hurry, you can choose waterless puppy shampoo products.
Dry puppy shampoos are basically shampoos that are available in powdered form. They do not require water and are rubbed into your dog’s fur, allowed to sit for a few minutes and then brushed off.
These shampoos don’t need to be rinsed off after application. Reading the label of the dry puppy shampoo that you purchase is important to ensure that you are using the dog shampoo as intended.
Oatmeal puppy shampoo has many benefits. Since oatmeal is all natural it will be gentle enough for your pet but also good for the environment.
Oatmeal soothes dry, itchy skin by retaining or restoring moisture in your pets healthy skin. Oatmeal shampoos help to stop itching from allergies, dry skin, hot spots and flea and tick problems.Â
It also helps to clean and soften your pets coat keeping it shiny and thick.
These are specially formulated products that treat symptoms like dandruff, skin irritations, excessive oil or dry skin conditions. Anti parasitic medicated shampoos are meant for those dogs that have flea or tick infestations.
The shampoos that provide protection from fleas and ticks will help in curbing the flea or tick number on your puppy’s body.
This is done by interrupting the life cycle of the flea and preventing them from reaching their adult form. The products are laden with ingredients and additives that also prevent the eggs of the fleas from hatching.
There are also anti-fungal products available. These cater to the owners whose dogs or puppies are suffering from fungal infections by stopping the life cycle of the fungus.
For the puppies that have super sensitive skin, the antiallergenic shampoos provide relief due to the active ingredients such as aloe vera, oatmeal extract and vitamins.
There are also products like anti-seborrheic, anti-microbial and anti-pruritic products that prevent accumulation of microbes, prevent itchy skin and dandruff respectively.
The shampoos manufactured from naturally occurring ingredients are gentle and less irritating to your puppy’s tender skin.
Choosing a product which is a natural puppy shampoo is beneficial as they are less harsh on your puppy’s skin. Anti-flea as well as tick prevention shampoos are filled with additives and medications so you have to read the instructions and try not to use them on a puppy.
There are products specifically designed for dogs and puppies that have a light colored coat and fur. People having allergy dogs can breathe a sigh of relief as there are products available in the market that washes off dander.
In the end, do keep this in mind, always opt for a shampoo that is crafted for puppies as they tend to be extra mild over the skin without causing irritation to their eyes and nose.
Keeping your puppy clean is a necessity. When the puppy is under its mother’s care the grooming needs is well looked after.
Once you have adopted your new furry family member, periodic bathing and grooming sessions are necessary. Grooming products help kill germs and parasitic insects such as ticks while leaving it soft, shiny and clean.
Choose your new puppy shampoo carefully!
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