Baths are important for canine health, but these 7 tips will help you learn how to make your dog smell good naturally and keep your dog clean and smelling fresh between trips to the tub.
Bathing your dog can be fun. But it can also be a hassle, as there’s a lot of preparation involved. And you have a canine companion, especially a large breed, who would rather do anything but take a bath, it can be challenging.
While baths are the ultimate way to keep your dog clean, too many can disrupt his natural skin and coat oils. This can lead to dryness. Here’s how to make your dog smell good naturally between dunks in the tub.
1. Brush him
Dead hair and skin cells cause bad odor. Dander, allergens, and dirt also lead to unwanted doggy smells. The best way to remove these nuisances is to brush your dog two to five times a week. Brushing distributes natural oils, limits shedding, and gets rid of dead hair. The longer his coat, the more regularly you should brush him.
2. Trim his hair
You may need to trim your dog’s hair every four to six weeks, depending on his breed. Overlong hair harbors odor, especially if it tangles or mats, while long hair around the eyes and ears stains and becomes smelly.
If you opt to trim your dog’s hair yourself, be sure to use the right clippers — be gentle with his skin and very careful around the eyes. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, a professional groomer can take on the job.
3. Try a natural dry shampoo
People might consider dry shampoo a “lazy bath”, but it provides instant relief from smelliness. It eliminates odor and grease from your dog’s coat and you can easily apply and remove it. Just work the appropriate dose of powder into your dog’s coat, wait for a spell, then brush it off.
Be sure to look for a natural product that doesn’t contain a lot of chemicals and synthetic fragrances.
You can also make dry shampoo using corn starch or baking soda. Rub it into your dog’s coat, right down to the skin, leave it for up to five minutes, and then brush it out.
Caution: using powder shampoo too often clogs your dog’s hair follicles and affects his natural antibacterial skin barrier.
4. Use natural dog wipes
Look for wipes made specifically for dogs, since their pH differs from ours. Only opt for products made from natural, non-toxic conditioners, cleansers and deodorants. You can use wipes to quickly freshen your dog’s skin and coat and make it easier to access skin folds and crevices where odors accumulate. Avoid wiping around the eyes.
5. Spritz him with a doggy spray
A coat spray formulated especially for dogs can be a very effective if temporary fix for doggy odors. Avoid products scented with artificial perfumes. Instead, look for those that use natural essential oils like lavender or peppermint.
Sprays usually just mask odors without eliminating them and may not last long. But they’re a quick way to make your dog smell good in a pinch.
6. Clean his ears
Smelly ears often indicate infection. This is especially true if they are swollen, red, painful, or show discharge. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has an ear infection.
Clean your dog’s ears to help prevent stinky infections. Use gauze or cotton pads (not cotton swabs!) with an approved canine ear cleaning product. Squeeze a little cleaner into the dog’s ear canal and massage to break up any deep-set dirt and odor. Step back to let your dog shake his head, then use cotton balls or gauze to wipe out the ears.
7. Keep his bedding clean
Over time, oils, dander, hair, and dirt build up on your dog’s bedding. This contributes to bad odors. Air his bed out frequently, and use bedding that’s machine-washable so you can clean it on a regular basis.
You can have a more nose-friendly dog without constant bathing. By following these seven tips on how to make your dog smell good naturally, he should soon be free of nasty odors.
The post How to make your dog smell good naturally – without a bath! appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.