Our dogs only need to be let off the leash for a short while and will have found ways to become wet and sometimes covered tail to top in dirt but you should not shower your dog more than once a fortnight. Dog skin contains natural oils that keeps the dog’s fur and skin healthy. How often should I shower my dog is an important question.
Nobody wants Fido traipsing over the threshold, covering carpet and curtain with grime. Read until the end to find out the issues that can arise from showering and shampooing Fido too often and about tips to keep your dog and home in tip top condition without any shaggy dog stories.
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Shampooing can be Very Drying for a Dog’s Skin
Dogs’ skin naturally produces oils that protect it and help keep it hydrated. Over-washing your dog can remove these essential oils, leaving his skin dry. If your dog is constantly itchy and scratching, chances are he’s suffering from dry skin. Try bathing him less frequently and using a mild, chemical-free dog shampoo.
An Abundance of Natural Oils is Critical to a Dog’s Ear Health
Inside a dog’s ear, there’s a thin membrane called a “barrier.” This barrier is designed to keep out bacteria and dirt. Unfortunately, some dogs are genetically predisposed to having thinner ear membranes than others. This thinness can make it hard for the dog to fight off ear infections, and it can make him more susceptible to having his ears surgically clipped for medical reasons.
When people shampoo their dog’s ears, it removes the protective oils that keep the “barrier” strong and healthy. If your dog has a thin ear membrane, try to keep his ears as clean as possible by wiping them out with a warm, damp cloth. Avoid shampooing his ears at all costs.
Shampoos May Contain Harmful Chemicals
There are some very popular brands of dog shampoo on the market that use a chemical called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as the main ingredient. SLS is often used in human shampoos as well, but it’s been linked to skin irritation, eye damage, and even organ damage. Avoid using products that contain SLS.
Tip of The Day
Use a dog shampoo to keep shedding at a minimum and protect your house; a good anti-itch shampoo means the dog won’t scratch itself too much. Check the shampoo I suggest here…
Dogs produce oil from glands near the surface of their skin in order to protect themselves from sunburn and insect bites so its important not to shower them with shampoo often. Even if you shampoo them every second week its advisable to use a shampoo that’s very mild. Try using just water once every two weeks.
Tips on Cleaning Your Dog Between Showers
Sometimes there’s no stopping a dog from regularly getting wet, smelly and dirty. The outdoors is like a magnet to dogs and that means a potential for rain showers, puddles, grass, pollen and mud. Here are some ideas so your dog can enter your home and stay clean.
Quick Clean Outside
If your dog has become wet and dirty on a walk use a brush, water and a cloth/towel to clean him or her off. Use a towel you’ve kept aside for just the cleaning purpose.
Brush Your Dog Regularly
Brushing your dog is one of the best ways to keep them clean. Brushing removes loose fur, dirt, and other debris that can lead to things like matting and skin issues. It is best to go with a wire pin brush that can get deep into the coat to get everything out.
You can use this on the topcoat and the undercoat. If you have a shedding dog, you might need to do it more often. Shedding happens at certain times of the year. Brush your dog regularly to avoid matting. You should also do it outside so you don’t make a mess on the inside of your house.
Brushing our dog with water is a good way to keep him or her clean. In nature dogs have always swum in rivers and the sea to keep clean and this process is little different.
Keep Your Dog In the Back Yard or Garden
If your dog is continually finding ways to roll in feces or smelly matter it maybe best to keep him in the back garden or back yard. If you don’t have time to watch over Fido this kind of play time will keep the dog out of feces and filth and make your job of cleaning him or her much simpler.
A good idea is to keep a portable pump water shower outside, so you can rinse off any grime. See this suggested product.
Clean Your Dogs Feet
Keeping the feet clean is especially important if your dog goes outside. You can get some foot wipes that are specially formulated to kill bacteria and clean their feet. You can also just use a baby wipe to clean the feet once a week.
What Happens If You Shower Dogs Too Often?
If your dog’s skin dries out due to excessive showering this not only can cause itchy skin, it too can cause excessive shedding. The fur becomes dry and becomes weaker so it sheds in larger quantities.
The short or long hair requires a certain amount of fatty acids in order to keep a normal amount of shedding. Or, your dog may start to do way too much shedding.
Dogs Can Catch Colds From Too many Showers
Dogs are usually showered in colder water than humans so there’s a chance they can catch a cold from too many showers. Some common signs of a canine cold are a runny nose, watery eyes, a cough and lethargy.
Itchy Skin
Too many showers can cause your dog to have dry skin which can become flakey and itchy.
Coconut Oil Can Restore Moisture To Your Dog’s Skin
What is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of the coconut. The best coconut oil comes from organic, unprocessed coconuts. It also contains iron, zinc, and vitamins E and K. Coconut oil has a long shelf life and is unrefined, meaning it is pure and contains no chemicals or additives. It can be used for cooking, baking, and even as a moisturizer for your dog’s skin and coat.
There are many benefits to using coconut oil for dogs with dry skin. It’s rich in antioxidants that help to fight off harmful free radicals in your dog’s skin. Coconut oil is also naturally antibacterial, which can help to keep your dog’s skin clear of infection. It also has a high fat content that can help to soothe itchy and irritated skin.
3 Ways to Use Coconut Oil to Restore Moisture to Your Dog’s Skin
Depending on how dry your dog’s skin is, you can use coconut oil in a few different ways. If your dog has really dry skin, you might want to try applying coconut oil a few times a week. If his skin is a bit more normal, applying it every other week should be sufficient, and if his coat is a bit greasy, you can probably skip a few applications.
Here are a few ways you can use coconut oil to restore moisture to your dog’s skin:
- Apply it to your dog’s skin: coconut oil can be applied directly to your dog’s skin. You can do this a leave-in conditioner before his walk. You don’t want to apply it to sensitive areas such as the ears or paws, but a small amount rubbed into the rest of his skin will do wonders.
- Add it to your dog’s bath water: You can add coconut oil to your dog’s bath water. This will help to moisturize his skin while helping to remove any excess fur or dirt (shampoo not needed).
- Give your dog a massage: You can also give your dog a coconut oil massage. This will provide your dog with a healthy dose of antioxidants that can help to fight free radicals in his body.
Recipe For a Regular Coconut Moisturizer for Your Dog
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 0.2 gallon of water
- Min and fill a spray gun
Sources – How Often Should I Shower My Dog? Soap or no Soap
https://www.rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-care/health/washing-brushing-your-dog
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