shower

[mirela]

do you give your dog shower regularly? i normally wash my dog once per week, but sometimes she really stinks or dirty, not sure would it be harmful to give her more showers?

[echokilo]

It will wsh her natural oils out, but there's not much alternative if she is really stinky .... bless!!!

[mirela]

oh also, she is drinking the shower water all the time.. im using the pet shampoo, so i persume it wont be harmful?

[jules77]

Bathing a dog too frequently will reduce the oils that help to keep your dog's coat healthy and can lead to irritation and itching. I think four times a year is an absolute maximum, but this depends on the breed of dog, and any 'dirty' activities that he/she may take part in.

I have a long coated breed and bath mine all over twice a year.......at most. In between they get a top and tail before a show, I then rub them all over with a warm damp towel, and finish with a good grooming spray.

[jules77]

just a thought, if your dog 'smells' it could be a number of other things ie: anal glands, decaying teeth, or an ear infection?

[lankeela]

Too much washing will take the natural oils out of her coat and dry her skin. My dogs are show dogs and they only get bathed about twice a year and then only if they really need it. They get brushed regularly and manage to stay clean. The only other time I bathe them is if they manage to roll in something smelly and then I try to clean just the smelly bit. Drinking the water is ok, but not if it has got shampoo in it. You will make her sick.
Where does she go to get so dirty so often?

[zabo]

i don't give my dog showers but i bathe him two or three time per week.

[meltoadhall]

mine go to the doggy salon twice a year for a complete wash and brush up.

[mirela]

we took her for long walk down the field nearby us all the time, sometimes raining or jusr after rain, very muggy. also playing fetch game all the time, she got lots mud in her month in the end. her got 4 natural white socks, but always very dirty after long walk.
her head and the area around mouth are partically smelly, special after special treat like triples..

[mirela]

oh i used white wipes to clean her ears regularly as well, is that ok?

[cumbrianlad]

you will not "damage" your dog by washing it regularily. You will however affect the oil and nutrient content in the dogs coat, and ultimately affect its "waterproofness". Use pet shampoo ALWAYS as this contains the necessary ingredients to counteract this. Using human shampoo isn't good for regular washing

[mirela]

yeah,i am using pet shampoo all the time.

[unhappychick]

Try rubbing bicarbonate of soda into the dogs fur, not harmful and gets rid of smells...also wash the dogs bed more than the dog itself

[mirela]

dog is sleeping on our bed all the time, only if we are not home for short time, we put her in her cage. i normally put a cover on our bed, and change bedding every 2 or 3 days.

[jules77]

Zabo - two or three times a WEEK?!! I wouldnt have time for anything else if I did that it would be like painting the eiffel towel, just finish one and have to start again?!!!

Even though I show my dogs, they still play and get muddy, but I just let the mud dry and brush it out, muddy dogs dont smell.

[mirela]

yeah, i know, i bought lots new sheet since we got the little thing, she is always making mess on the bed. and carry her muggy toy everwhere too!!
i booked appointment with vet tommorrow for regular check, i could ask about the smell, like you said can be related to teeth or ear infection? i do see her always rub her head on floor or scratch her ears.

[Illyria54]

I have along haired WHITE German Shepherd and she only gets bathed twice a year, she is groomed thoroughly every day and as just lankeela says, if my dog rolls in something delightful I only wash the smelly bit, you shouldn't bath a dog too frequently.

[LoftyLottie]

I shower my dogs about two or three times a year generally and also if they have walked through, swam in or rolled in something smelly. One will jump in stagnant water on occasions!

I'm with Lankeela on this. My dogs do not smell and do sleep on furniture, etc.

[mirela]

i just back from vet, asked him, he said shower her each week is fine, but he would only recommend a typical brand. do you think hes just trying to sell that pet shampoo to me? it costs nearly 10 quid!

[LoftyLottie]

Whoops Mirela, more money in the vet's pocket. I have found their recommended products are much cheaper in the large pet supply outlets, usually by about 50%.

[mirela]

loftylottie, we have been to the same guy couple times, but why i always got feeling not trusting him much? seems he just listening my dog heart couple mins, then said she is fine, then charge 19 quid. after i asked him about dog smelling, then he told me to brush her teeth and said they got dog tooth brush and paste in stock!!!????