Taking care of a pet can be a lot of responsibility. Proper pet grooming is essential for good health, which includes pet bathing in Alexandria VA. This isn’t always easy to do, especially with rambunctious or large dogs. A few tips may help with the process.
Timing
According to the ASPCA, dogs should be bathed at least quarterly, and some dogs will need to be bathed even more often. Some vets even recommend bathing dogs once a week.
Brush First
Before you even get the dog wet in the bath, you should brush the dog. This makes it so there aren’t any tangles to interfere with the shampooing process and makes it so it will be easier to work the shampoo into the dog’s coat. Leaving tangles will make them even worse.
Keep Eyes and Ears Safe
Dogs don’t like to get shampoo or water in their ears and eyes. Putting cotton in the ears and using an ointment from the vet in the eyes will help keep them from having to deal with sore ears and eyes. Using a sprayer or wet washcloth to be able to better control the water and shampoo while washing the dog’s head can also be helpful.
Shampoo Selection
Get a shampoo that’s meant for dogs, as these are more different than those meant for people than you might realize. Some dogs will need special shampoos to deal with particular skin conditions. Also, most people shampoos contain added fragrances that can irritate your dog’s skin.
Prevent Slipping and Sliding
Put something down under the dog’s feet if using the bathtub, such as a nonslip mat or a towel. This will keep the dog from slipping and sliding all over.
Water Control
You don’t need to use a ton of water. Just have a few inches in the bottom of the tub and use a pitcher or cup to scoop and pour it over the dog to get him wet. The other alternative is a sprayer. Use warm water to make it more pleasant, and drop a towel over the dog whenever you pause in the bathing to prevent him from shaking water all over you.
Contact us for more information on the services we offer. These include pet grooming and bathing as well as medical services.
