Bathing & Ear Cleaning Tips from Sheri Fiset
When bathing your dog you should always use a mild hypoallergenic shampoo designed for use on dogs. Although dish soap or your favorite shampoo will get your dog clean and smelling great, these products are designed for humans not dogs. Your dog’s skin and fur has a different chemistry than yours and using products designed for human use can strip natural oils and cause your dog’s skin to become dry and itch. Consult your groomer or veterinarian for suggestions on products that are best suited for your pet’s individual skin and coat needs. When bathing your pet yourself, always make sure to comb out the fur completely prior to wetting the coat. When there are knots in the fur, water makes the knots worse and they become very difficult to remove. Also, the fur will not get as clean if it is tangled.
If your pet suffers from ear problems I would recommend inserting a cotton ball in each ear prior to bathing. This will help keep water out of the ear canal. Never spray water into your dog’s ear to clean it. If you would like to clean your dog’s ears in between grooming or vet visits, invest in a good quality ear cleaner from your vet or a pet store. Gently squeeze a few drops into the ear canal, fold over the ear flap and gently massage the base of the ear. This will loosen dirt in the ear canal. Use a cotton ball to wipe out the ear. Never insert a Q-tip into the ear canal you could damage the ear drum or push the debris and wax further into the ear. If you notice your dog’s ears are red or emit an odor or discharge, this may be a sign of an ear infection and you may want to consult your veterinarian for treatment.
Sheri is the owner of Happy Dog Pet Salon
For an appointment call 941-330–4270