Why Hygiene and Bathing Are Important for Your Dog
What is a good hygiene regimen for a dog?
A good hygiene regimen is making sure that you're giving them a bath regularly. Typically, we recommend once a month or when they get dirty. We also recommend cleaning their ears, trimming their nails, and brushing them.
How does keeping my dog clean contribute to good health?
Making sure that your dog is clean is going to ensure that their skin and coat are healthy, that they're not going to get any infections, and it helps keep them free of external parasites.
What about their teeth? How should I approach brushing their teeth?
Great question. We definitely recommend brushing their teeth as part of hygiene as well. You can give us a call, and we can talk you through how to introduce brushing your dog's teeth.
How do I find the right bathing products for my dog?
You want to make sure that you're getting a dog-specific shampoo. If your dog has any sort of skin conditions, we can advise on getting some medicated shampoo. Otherwise, oatmeal or soothing shampoos can be really helpful.
Is there anything I can do as an owner to help my dog in terms of their environment?
Other things with their environment include making sure that you're washing their bedding frequently, just like you wash your bed sheets. Keep their food and water bowls clean, as well as cleaning their leash, collar, toys, and all those sorts of things.
What are some signs and symptoms of poor hygiene in my dog?
Things you could be noticing at home include them being really itchy, maybe eating a little bit less, having a foul odor, or if you're noticing signs of a skin infection like scabs, sores, open wounds, or hair loss.
How often should I bathe my dog?
Ideally once a month, but again, if they get dirty, you're going to want to bathe them a little bit sooner. If they do have a skin condition, we may advise you to bathe them medically a bit more often.
How can my veterinarian help me with my dog's hygiene issues?
If you have any concerns, definitely give us a call. We're happy to see your dog, evaluate their skin, and then come up with the best plan of action for you.
If you have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (276) 600-2631, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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