Many people do it without thinking about it; if the dog stinks they give him a wash. The fluff balls usually don’t like it much, but if they smell nice again after wash your dog, the owners are completely satisfied again. But is this actually good, should we os, or is this not necessary?
Why are dogs washed?
Dogs love to romp. When it has just rained, the dog gets covered in mud, and although they don’t have any problems with it themselves, the owners usually don’t find it very pleasant. There are also dogs that immediately dive into the water if they happen to walk by a lake. All this is not very fresh of course, and that is why they are soon put in a bath by their owner.
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It is quite normal for humans to take a shower every few days and that is why this theory is quickly applied to dogs. But aren’t we making a mistake there, thinking that what we do is also suitable for dogs?
To wash your dog or not?
Opinions are very divided on whether or not it is necessary to wash dogs. However, it is generally not necessary to bathe your dog. It can ensure that the fat layer on the skin of the dog disappears and that is precisely to protect against dehydration, infections and it ensures that the skin remains supple. Dogs don’t wash for nothing.
How often do you wash your dog?
On the other hand, dirt does get into the coat of course. If you want to wash it out every now and then, don’t do this more than 1 or 2 times a year. A dog with long hair is more prone to accumulated dirt. It is therefore good for these dogs to take care of a wash every now and then (but preferably no more than three times a year, which is more than enough). If your dog has rolled in the poop or has done something else that has made the fur very dirty, it is of course more than normal to wash your dog. Try to avoid such situations.
It may be hard to imagine that dogs generally don’t need a bath. Most people have a hard time believing this because it is natural for them. A tip for this is: don’t compare yourself to your dog. The habits of people and animals are very different and therefore different rules apply.
Wash your dogs with skin diseases
For a dog that suffers from skin diseases, it is wise to give it a wash every now and then. Then make sure that the right shampoo is used so as not to make the problem worse. It is imperative that you use dog shampoo so that your dog’s skin is not damaged. Dog shampoo can be rinsed out well so that the dog cannot lick up any residue.
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Still, wash your dog?
For most dogs, mild dog shampoo is sufficient. There are adapted dog shampoos for dogs with skin problems. Just to be sure, you can of course ask the vet for advice, who knows all about it. If you prefer not to use shampoo, it is also an option to wash the dog with lukewarm water. The wash is then of course less aggressive, but the coat still gets a little cleaning, which is usually enough. Whether you use shampoo or not, always make sure that the water is not too hot.
What can you do instead of wash your dog?
Especially in dogs with a long coat, it is good to regularly comb or brush the coat.
The main places to brush or comb are:
- the armpits and the elbows
- the groins
- the knees and the legs
- the ass and the tail
- the chest and abdomen
- the ears and the inside of the ears or
- the beard and the mustache
The right dog comb/brush
There is a lot of difference in the types of combs and brushes. It is good to know what kind of brush your dog needs because using the wrong brush can damage the skin and coat.
Long-haired dogs
Long-haired dogs need to be combed or brushed more often than short-haired dogs. Some dogs even need it daily. For dogs with a long or silky coat, such as a Keeshond, combs are often used. There are also many different types. The teeth of the comb can be close together or not. Keep in mind that it is best to use a wide-toothed comb with long-haired dogs. For dogs with a long-haired coat, the slicker and grooming brush are also suitable. A slicker is a brush with many curved metal hooks and a cleaning brush consists of soft synthetic or natural bristles. These brushes will not damage the coat and skin of a long-haired dog, but they will provide good care and cleaning.
In dogs with wool hair, such as a poodle, the slicker brush and comb can be used. Get a wide-toothed comb.
Short-haired dogs
Short-haired dogs, such as a Jack Russell, are best brushed with a rubber bristle brush and grooming brush. A rubber brush consists of a rubber surface with rubber nubs. Dogs with short hair do not need to be brushed often, once or twice a week is sufficient.
If you are unsure about the type of comb/brush to use for your dog, ask your vet for advice.
Trimming a dog
Dogs can also be trimmed. This means that the loose and dead hairs are removed from the coat. This keeps the dog’s coat in good condition. Grooming takes 2 to 5 hours, but this is of course very different per trim type and per dog. Dogs that are trimmed always develop a ‘new’ coat, which automatically keeps the coat much cleaner. This also excludes washing.
The different trim types are:
- shave
- to cut
- thin out
- pick
- stripping
