Bathing and washing dogs are rarely necessary. But if you want to clean your dog, you should follow a few important rules. Shampoo selection is an important topic. That’s why we have recipes for making dog shampoo yourself.
How often do you have to bathe and wash dogs?
Dogs have sebaceous glands all over their bodies, which supply the coat with a self-cleaning protective layer of fat. Since this is lost when you bathe your dog, it is more of a disadvantage for the dog’s skin if you bathe it too often. You can also brush normal dirt out of the fur quite well. You should therefore only bathe your dog in exceptional situations, e.g. when the fur really stinks. Bathing dogs can also be necessary for medical reasons, such as skin diseases, and as directed by the doctor. So once or twice a month is enough.
Getting used to washing as a puppy
Dogs learn to be housebroken as puppies. And so they can also learn how to bathe. Therefore, you should bathe them once in a while from a young age. But here, too, less is more. In any case, a few treats will help you to ensure that you do everything right when training and bathing your dog. As a rule, you should always carefully introduce your dog to new things so that they don’t become afraid of them. The same applies to getting used to the dog transport box, driving a car in general, or even washing.
Dog bathing and cleaning instructions
If you want to bathe your dogs, it is important to follow a few rules so that the dog does not get injured and there are no negative consequences for your companion. Make your own dog shampoo
As already mentioned, you should use a mild and special dog shampoo because it is moisturizing. However, some commercially available dog shampoos contain unnecessary fragrances and additives. It can therefore be worth making your own dog shampoo. There are some good homemade dog shampoo recipes online, such as the following three recipes:
- To make your own dog shampoo, mix half a cup of oatmeal with half a cup of baking soda. Then add half a cup of cold water. You can then use the slightly viscous mixture to wash your dog. It will keep in a closed container in the fridge for a few days.
- Or make your own dog shampoo by mixing 1 cup of sulfate-free, plant-based liquid soap with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, 80 ml of glycerin, and 1 quart of water. Then you can add a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil. Thus, it also serves as a means against fleas.
- A very simple dog shampoo recipe is to mix 4 tablespoons of grated soap with 4 cups of hot water and 1 cup of apple cider vinegar. Again, you can add essential oils or a teaspoon of aloe vera gel.
Coat care tips
So that you don’t have to bathe your dogs as often, good grooming is essential. Consequently, we have collected clever tips for daily grooming. In addition, note tips on driving safely with a dog.
- Daily brushing of the dog removes dirt and promotes blood circulation.
- Brush out light soiling or remove with a damp cloth.
- Regularly clean dirty paws or wash them in a lukewarm water bath.
- It is best to remove stubborn dirt with dry shampoo immediately after going for a walk.
If you have any other dog cleaning tips, share them with us in the comments, we look forward to your tips! Also, note how you can make dog food yourself and what remedies help against vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
