Causes of odor
All dogs have a smell, and a rather specific one. He is weak, and we don’t think the dog smells. But something happens and it gets stronger.
Physiology. It's the adults who smell, not the puppies. Males have a stronger stench. The so-called “dog scent” is formed due to the specific functioning of the sebaceous glands. If sterilization is carried out, the dog will smell less;
Hygiene. If the rules for caring for the animal are violated, the stench will only intensify;
Breed. There are breeds that smell stronger: some are hunting;
Pathology. The stench is caused by developing infections and diseases.
If you wash your animal and the stench does not go away, be sure to contact your veterinarian.
What is the best way to wash animals?
To maintain hygiene, you need to bathe your puppy with special shampoos, divided into several categories. Pet stores offer a lot of products for caring for the hair and skin of dogs, which sometimes makes it difficult to choose - after all, it is easier to choose something universal that could be used in all cases. But this approach is wrong and cannot be justified by any arguments.
What shampoo?
Dogs should be washed with special shampoos designed specifically to care for their skin and coat.
The selection of shampoo depends on several factors:
- Breed and age of the dog. There are specially developed products for puppies and older dogs, as well as for large and small breeds;
- The purpose of washing is simple cleaning or getting rid of lice or odor;
- Coat lengths – long-haired dog breeds require products that not only cleanse, but also soften the coat, making it easier to comb and giving it shine (this effect can be achieved by additionally using balms and masks). For example, owners of poodles should choose shampoos that prevent matting, while owners of dogs with white fur are recommended to use bleaching products.
Important! It should be noted right away that you cannot use human shampoos or soaps, because the acid-base balance of human and dog skin is very different and shampoos intended even for delicate and sensitive human skin can harm the pet.
For complete care of your pet, it is recommended to purchase several types of shampoos - for weekly use, against fleas, dandruff and odor. And now more details.
Selection of shampoo by breed and coat type
The coat of long-haired dogs requires more careful care - washing with shampoo, rinsing with a special anti-tangle balm, etc., while short-haired dogs, for example, need softening and shine-inducing shampoos.
White wool quickly fades, acquiring a gray tint. Dogs with white coats require bleaching products. They are also suitable for light-colored dogs, giving the coat a silvery tint.
Chocolate or black coats may lose pigmentation and become dull and unattractive. For such cases, tinted shampoos are recommended, which, having a gentle effect, have a fairly long-lasting effect, saturating the animal’s fur with the necessary pigments.
Shampoos for dogs prone to allergies should be colorless and odorless. It is recommended to contain aloe vera with a moisturizing and protective effect.
Depending on the purpose of use, you can choose specially designed shampoos against:
- Fleas and lice;
- Dandruff and itching;
- Other skin diseases;
- For frequent use.
For preventive purposes or if necessary, you can use special anti-flea shampoos. They do an excellent job of killing not only adults, but also their larvae. Such funds, after some time (usually 10-14 days), are reapplied.
Detergents containing chlorhexidine have also been created, which effectively eliminates itching. Shampoos that combat the typical odor of dog hair are widely used. To prevent your dog from smelling like “dog,” use them periodically.
How often to wash
More recently, there was an opinion that pets should not be subjected to frequent water treatments. This was due to the fact that the market for various animal care products was practically non-existent. Washing was carried out using human cosmetics.
With the advent of various types of cosmetic preparations for dogs, veterinarians have come to the conclusion that they should wash the animal as needed. The exact number of times you need to wash your pet depends on the breed, length and thickness of the coat, and walking conditions. It is noted that urban animals are more susceptible to pollution.
On average, dogs are washed 1 to 4 times a month.
Dry shampoo for dogs
Since dogs are such popular pets, there are naturally many products on the market that help dogs avoid bathing. One of the most popular products is dry shampoo for dogs .
First, it is important to brush your dog's hair, breaking up any existing knots. This cleaning will make the subsequent bath easier. Next, take a cotton towel and wet it with warm water, apply dry shampoo to the towel or cloth and apply it to your pet. Don't neglect any area.
If your dog has accumulated a lot of dirt, you can repeat this temporary bath. Finally, you can finish this bath by brushing your dog's hair again, removing any remaining shampoo to keep your hair soft and dry.
Remember, whatever you do, do not use human dry shampoo on your dogs. The shampoo you use should be specific to dogs, as it contains specific chemicals and is not harmful to the animal...
How to wash a dog
Let us immediately note that you should not opt for human products, especially laundry soap. They are too aggressive for the pH of animals, destroy the fat layer and lead to negative consequences.
Bathing is best done with liquid soap or gel. Their consistency is more convenient for application and distribution over the dog.
Since animals can get cold when washed during the cold season, it is recommended to use dry washing powder.
Washing a dog without water is possible!
We discussed simple options, but what to do if bathing is contraindicated for a dog, how to wash a dog without water? There may be several reasons to think about it: bathing is contraindicated for old dogs due to the high likelihood of catching a cold, skin eczema progresses upon contact with water, healing wounds or sutures should be protected from moisture. The simplest option is that the dog is dirty, how to wash it if it is afraid of water?
There is an exit! At first, resourceful women tried this method on themselves, and then the idea was picked up by canine cosmetologists. To clean wool, powder is used, the main part is talc, auxiliary elements disinfect and disinfect the skin. The product is available in jars similar to baby powder. The powder is distributed over a small area, after which the wool is carefully combed. It is important to thoroughly comb the dog before bathing, to remove excess undercoat and tangles. Such reading does not require additional procedures.
Washing the dog: instructions
First, let's figure out which container is best to bathe the animal in. It all depends on its size. If the animal is large, it is better to place it in a bath. And for a little one, choose a small basin.
Keep in mind that the big dog will have to be helped to get out of the bathtub. If it's too hard, it's better to go to a salon.
Sequencing:
- Protect your ears from water. Use cotton swabs;
- Muzzle. In the event that you want to avoid a bite when washing or the dog tries to eat soap suds;
- Prepare soap and comb;
- Set the water temperature, it should be no more than 40 degrees;
- Wet the animal, it is advisable not to pour water into the groin area and on top of the head and armpits;
- Lather up. It is better to dilute the shampoo with water. Massage and leave without rinsing as much as possible, about 5 minutes;
- Treat the paws especially carefully, they accumulate a lot of road dirt;
- Rinse off the soap thoroughly by massaging. Comb with a comb and rinse again;
- Wipe well. It is better to use a microfiber towel;
- Brush a clean dog well.
Stage two: add oil
Essential oil is a component that you can completely do without. Its functional purpose is to impart a certain smell to the wool.
In other words, oil in this case is a common deodorizing agent. Add it to the mixture of soda and starch carefully. For a medium-sized dog, literally 3-4 drops are required, no more.
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After adding essential oil, the container must be closed and shaken again. The shampoo needs to sit for a few minutes before use.
Special cases
It is advisable to have more than one type of soap at home for the hygiene of your four-legged friend. In each specific case, it is better to carry out water procedures using a specific product. Some shampoos have a medicinal effect and are designed to alleviate the condition of animals. If you replace it with a regular one, the animal will not receive the necessary help.
How to wash without water
Why do you need to wash animals without water? When swimming, even in summer, it is recommended to close the windows at home and anything that could cause a draft. After taking a bath, the dog is very vulnerable and may catch a cold.
What about in winter? It is often cold at home, the fur takes a long time to dry, and the pet cannot stand the sight of a hair dryer. For this purpose, use a special dry shampoo. It comes in powder form, which is applied to the roots. After application, massage the coat a little and then comb it out with a comb. The powder absorbs excess fat.
Dandruff and allergies
If your dog has dandruff, it means the skin is very dry. This may be due to allergies. A cosmetic product is used that will restore moisture and fat layer to the skin.
Typically, the presence of dandruff is accompanied by itching, hair loss and irritation. The drug is required to remove itching and heal wounds.
Choose those that contain salicylic acid and tar. For example, shampoos “Doctor”, “Stop Itching”. After their use - medicinal sprays.
Fleas and ticks
If your pet has parasites. Many people believe that a city dog that doesn’t walk outside much cannot become infected with fleas. This is wrong. There are a huge number of different flea drops, sprays and collars.
Some dogs cannot use all of these drugs due to intolerance to certain components. But you can wash such an animal using flea shampoo. They often contain herbal extracts that not only kill parasites, but also heal the skin. For example, “Bars”, “Lugovoy”.
Lichen
This is a very serious disease. The main danger is that lichen is contagious and dangerous for both animals and humans. Especially for children. This means we can quickly begin to treat him.
It is recommended to cut the area where the lichen appears. And, if possible, the whole dog to facilitate treatment. The veterinarian will determine the therapy, but the animal will have to be treated periodically during the bathing process. To combat ringworm, it is best to use antifungal shampoos used by people (Nizoral, Mycozoral).
The shampoo is diluted and the animal is lathered, then composed without rinsing for about 5 minutes. In winter, you can apply shampoo topically.
Fear of dogs
Many animals love to swim in ponds, but are very afraid to wash in the bathroom. The owner will need patience and calm. You need to prepare for washing in order to avoid unnecessary fuss and not irritate your friend:
- Place a mat on the bottom of the bath that will prevent your paws from slipping;
- Prepare cosmetics in advance;
- Set the water temperature to about 40 degrees;
- Prepare towels or rags for drying the animal;
- The required amount of gel is diluted with water. It cannot be used in its pure form. This causes a mini chemical burn to the skin.
- You cannot shout, shove the animal, put on a collar or tie it;
- If your pet is very nervous and stress is increasing, it is better to use dry shampoo.
What you will need
Using homemade dry shampoo will not harm your dog’s fur or skin, so you can use it without any restrictions.
In order to make detergent, you will need the following:
- corn starch;
- baking soda;
- essential oil;
- funnel;
- containers for measuring components, mixing them and storing the finished shampoo.
Of course, it is better to mix the shampoo immediately before using it. A spice jar with a screw top works well as a container for mixing and storing until use. As a rule, such covers have an insulating layer with punched holes. This is very convenient when using shampoo.
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Eliminating dog stench from an apartment or house
The smell of a dog remains wherever it goes, and especially where it lives. The strongest one is present in an apartment or house for a reason: poor hygiene, the dog often lifts his leg at home (the stench of urine is very strong and it will be difficult to get rid of it).
Before you start cleaning, make it a rule:
- Regularly clean your pet and comb it;
- Walk more often;
- Wash rest areas more often.
In order to get rid of the stench, use a solution of soda, vinegar, potassium permanganate or citric acid. Treat surfaces and floors in the house.
Homemade deodorant for dogs
It is recommended not to bathe your dog too much. However, before a rainy day or after a long walk outdoors: you may feel that your dog smells very pungent.
In this case, we recommend making a homemade dog deodorant . Mix one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water, add this mixture to a spray bottle and apply it to your dog's fur.
Apple cider vinegar has many beneficial properties, which include a moisturizing effect and a pleasant smell.!
Where to wash your dog
Of course, washing can be entrusted to professionals. Once you visit the salon, all you have to do is wait for your four-legged friend on the sofa.
Naturally, the procedure is paid. But you don’t have to stand bent over the bathtub and then catch a naughty dog throughout the apartment. And he will rush around, leaving wet marks.
Prices in salons vary depending on the size of the animals, the length of the coat, the product used and the aggressiveness. Prices range from 500 rubles (small shorthair) to 3000. This includes shampooing and drying.
How to wash a puppy's hair?
In order not to harm the small puppy and, if necessary, wash his hair, this can be done in the following ways:
- Cover the eyes and ears with one hand and pour water over your pet's head with the other, this way you will protect the ear canals and mucous membranes of the eyes. There is no need to wash your hair. However, in this case, it is necessary for someone to help you hold the dog, as it may get scared and break out of your hands;
- Use your left palm to lift the dog's head under the chin and gently pour water only onto the back of the head. This way you will avoid moisture getting into the ear canals, and the dog will obey you;
- Plug your dog's ears with special tampons from the pet store and you won't have to worry about the consequences of water getting in.
To avoid having to wash your hair, you can wipe the back of your dog’s head with a wet cloth every day.
Thus, no owner with a dog can avoid the bathing procedure. Anyone who has acquired a beloved pet for the first time must know how to wash a puppy without harming it.
Dog washing process:
- First, wet the wool with water from the shower and wash off the dirt.
- The water temperature should be from 37 to 39 degrees.
- Then apply a special dog shampoo to the coat, lather it, and then rinse with water.
- Gently wash the scalp area with your hands, making sure that water and shampoo do not get into your eyes and ears.
- There should not be a trace of shampoo left on the skin - it can cause irritation and excessive dryness of the skin.
- After washing, pat the coat dry with a towel to remove any remaining water, then dry with a hairdryer.
Cleaning the dog
Cleaning is carried out to remove dust, dirt, and dandruff from the skin and coat. Thanks to the procedure, the skin receives protection from diseases. During cleansing, its blood supply increases and the metabolic process improves.
The dog should be brushed once a day or more often if necessary. To do this, you will need a set of brushes and combs suitable for your specific breed.
Use a comb to comb the fur in the direction of its growth, starting from the head and ending with the limbs and tail. If necessary, carefully cut off tangles. Then clean with a brush in the same sequence.
Use a cloth soaked in water to wipe the pet’s eyes. The ears are cleaned with a piece of cotton wool. You can soak it in almond oil. Teeth are cleaned of plaque with a special toothpaste. It is also important to remember the need to thoroughly clean the pads on the animal’s paws and carefully trim the claws.
