PET CARE |
|
|
(NAPSI)-More and more, pets are a part of the family and enjoy many of the comforts of home. According to a recent Harris Interactive poll, nine out of 10 pet owners said they view their pets as family members, and nearly 70 percent admit to letting their dogs sleep in bed with them; all the more reason to keep your canine clean. Yet dog bathing is often a dreaded and stressful experience, especially if you don’t use the right techniques to help relax the dog or have the right tools to make it easy. Here are some tips for making dog bathing more enjoyable while keeping your dog clean and healthy: • Understand your dog’s grooming needs. Long-haired or double-coated dogs may need brushing before, during and after bathing. When grooming is complete, a comb or brush should easily glide through the coat. • Trim or grind nails and use an ear cleaning solution, then place cotton balls in your dog’s ears to prevent moisture in the ear canal. • Choose a shampoo suited for your dog’s coat and skin. Special varieties are available for white coats, dry skin and allergies, among others. • Wash your dog from neck to tail, using warm water to help him relax. Keep the temperature similar to a baby’s bathwater. When indoors, use a nonslip surface such as a bath mat. • Look for products that incorporate the same technology used by professional groomers to make bathing easy, such as the HydroSurge RapidBath pet bathing system that helps you clean your dog in three minutes or less. The system easily hooks to your hose or showerhead and combines a constant supply of fresh water, shampoo and air to deep clean the dog’s coat and actively washes away dirt, loose hair and dander without scrubbing. Its one-hand operation helps eliminate stressful, backbreaking and messy baths for both of you. • Towel dry and brush your dog’s coat before letting it air-dry. If using a hair dryer, introduce it gradually, keeping it at a low setting and away from the dog’s face. Consider using a conditioning spray for sun protection, repelling dirt, controlling static and preventing matting until the next bath. • Remove the cotton balls, give him some treats and then you can both go play in the sun. For more tips or to watch a demonstration on how to bathe your dog, visit www.rapidbathing.com. A warm day can be a great time to give your pooch a bath, transforming a dirty dog into a fresh-smelling, huggable hound. |
|