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Even dogs who feel that a bath is cruel and unusual punishment have to get one once in a while. While some dogs with short coats can get away with just a water rinse, most dogs need shampoo.

Why do dogs need their own kind of shampoo? Why can’t they just use whatever you use on yourself?

Well, human shampoos can actually harm dogs’ coats. Dog shampoo manufacturers say their products are gentle enough to prevent stripping the natural oils in a dog’s coat but strong enough to get out the dirt.

And here’s an item that may not make you feel very good about your own beauty regimen: Some of the shampoos designed for human hair may irritate your dog’s skin because they can contain harsher detergents. So use shampoos labeled specifically for dogs, or a gentle human baby shampoo that your veterinarian recommends.

Here’s what you should know about dog shampoo.

The Best Shampoo Is One That Suits Your Needs

There are tons of different kinds of dog shampoos, just like there are different kinds of human shampoos. The best way to figure out which one your dog needs is to ask your veterinarian or professional groomer for advice.

Some dog shampoos are designed for certain types of coats, and some are specifically for puppies. There are lots of things to consider!

Here are a few of the kinds of dog shampoo you might need to look for:

• No more tears: Just as we have baby shampoos, there are very gentle puppy shampoos available.
• Brightening/whitening: These are for dogs who are supposed to be sparkling white after a bath, as opposed to the beige mess they were beforehand.
• Waterless or rinse-free: Using a dry shampoo or powder will minimally clean up the dirt, but they’re intended only for quick fixes. Your dog won’t get super clean, and a few days later the coat can feel even dirtier or stickier than before you used it.
• Deodorizing: These shampoos are an excellent idea for a dog who just rolled in a dead rodent or fresh poop. Keep in mind, deodorizing shampoos may not always be powerful enough to alleviate “eau de skunk.”
• Stamping out skunk: Technically this isn’t shampoo, but it’s more effective on skunk stink than deodorizing shampoo or that useless tomato-based mixture. Mix 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap. Mix and apply immediately, then rinse thoroughly.

Medicated Shampoos For Special Conditions

Medicated shampoos can help you deal with certain problems — like helping to keep away fleas, ease itching, and heal mange. They’re much harder to use, though, for the simple fact that, in order to be at all effective, most have to remain on your dog for ten minutes before rinsing.

That’s ten solid minutes on a soaking wet, icky-smelling, annoyed canine who thinks 30 seconds is a long time — so cover the bathroom floor with plenty of towels before you begin the process.

Here are a few types of medicated shampoos for dogs:

• Flea and tick: These shampoos help keep the parasites at bay. Some are also effective against lice.
• Hypoallergenic: Look for one of these shampoos if you have dogs with allergies or sensitivity to fragrances or other ingredients in regular shampoos.
• Anti-itch: These shampoos contain anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties, such as hydrocortisone or lidocaine. You can purchase most of them over the counter.
• Prescription: For some conditions, such as mange, your veterinarian may prescribe medicated shampoo as part of the treatment.

What kind of shampoo do you use for your dog? Does your pooch hate baths or love them? Let us know in the comments below!

Click the bold links in the article to shop for your dog and support our content!

The post Dogs 101: Everything You Should Know About Dog Shampoo appeared first on Dog Family Helper.

There are few things in life that are more fun and rewarding than bringing a dog into your family. Your dog will offer your family years of love and loyalty — as long as you provide him with food, shelter, responsible care, and love in return.

With these 10 basic care tips tucked safely under your belt, you will be prepared to offer your pooch the best life he could ask for.

1. Give your dog an identification tag. Every pet should always wear a collar that sports an identification tag with your name, telephone number and address. It is a fact of life that dogs can sometimes get out of their houses or yards, and may need a little help getting back home. If your dog’s got some sort of identification, it will greatly increase the chances that he will be returned safely to you.

2. Talk to your veterinarian or local animal shelter about the rules and regulations governing pet ownership in your area. Know the type of licensing and vaccinations that are required to keep your pet legal and up to date on health essentials.

3. Whenever you take your dog outside the confines of his house or yard, make sure that he is on a leash. No matter how well-trained your pet might be, you cannot guarantee that you will be able to control your dog under all circumstances. Some breeds, like Siberian Huskies, are bred to run, and will do so at the first opportunity. Keeping your dog on a leash is best for you, your dog and your community.

4. Dogs are social creatures that like to be with their families, which is why it is important for your dog to spend time indoors with you. While a fenced yard and dog house are both good ideas for your pet, they cannot replace the companionship of people. Give your dog a pleasant outdoor space, but don’t leave him out there alone for long periods of time.

5. Just as people need regular checkups to stay healthy; your dog needs an annual visit to the veterinarian for a thorough examination. If you don’t have a veterinarian yet, there are plenty of resources that can help you find a good one, including the local animal shelter, or a friend who has dogs. A regular relationship with a vet is a key to maintaining your pet’s good health.

6. By spaying or neutering your pet, you are doing much more than just helping to control animal overpopulation. Dogs that are “fixed” tend to live longer and healthier lives, and have fewer behavioral problems like biting. Spaying or neutering pets should be one of your first steps on the road to responsible pet ownership.

7. A conscientious dog owner will make sure that his pet has a nutritious diet every day. Your veterinarian can recommend a food for your dog, and advise you on appropriate portions. Your dog also needs to have fresh water readily available 24-7.

8. You wouldn’t think to refrain from training a child in appropriate behavior, and your dog needs the same loving care from you. One of the best ways to learn how to train your dog using positive methods is through a training class. Not only will you learn how to properly control your pet, but you and your dog can enjoy the bonding experience as well as the opportunity to socialize with other dogs and their owners.

9. Your dog needs to stay physically fit to stay healthy, and it will be up to you to see that he gets sufficient exercise. Finding plenty of time to play with your dog, combined with a daily walk or two, should give your canine companion the level of physical activity that he needs. If you are in doubt about how much exercise is enough for your dog, you can talk to your veterinarian about what is appropriate for him.

10. You can bet that your dog is going to offer you plenty of love and loyalty, and this is primarily what he will want from you in return. It is important that you show patience when working with your dog. If he is exhibiting some behaviors that you are having trouble controlling, you can contact your veterinarian or animal shelter for additional advice and guidance.

A dog can be a wonderful addition to your family. With the proper care, he will be a welcome member of your clan for many happy, healthy years.

Source: Adapted from the Humane Society of the United States

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If you have pets you know too well what it is like to live with gobs of hair, wonderfully scented sofas and the ever so popular urine on the carpets. Being animal lovers we get used to this and frankly don’t even notice most of the time that our home smells like a kennel!

Well help has arrived you no longer have to create excuses for your pets when friends or family visit. Cleaning up after your pets can be easy and create a healthy environment for you and your entire family. The steps below will get you started on a “fresh” new home place.

The key is that you must remove the source before the smell will completely disappear.

1. Bathing your pets: Recommended at least once a month as needed.

• If you have dogs, give them a bath. If they are dirty they will carry it around all over your home. It will also remove the excess hair before it reaches your furniture. For cats, brush them to remove excess hair; even for short hair breeds. I recommend the FURminator, it is a wonder brush. It is pricey, but will last a lifetime and is available at major pet department stores.

2. Furniture: Recommended at least once a week.

• Next, start with removing animal hair from your furniture. The best way is by using a standard vacuum cleaner with the side attachment; simply guide it along the furniture until all the hair is gone. A common lint roller will also do the trick.

3. Floors: Recommended at least once a week.

• Vacuum: Start with an empty vacuum bag or cup. Vacuum longer than you usually would to get out as much dirt and hair as possible.
• Laminated or tile flooring: Sweep well then apply regular house hold bleach (full strength) and mop. Nothing kills bacteria like bleach. You do not have to rinse, unless your floor becomes sticky.

4. Air filters AC/Furnace: Recommended once per month.

• Change out your homes air filter. This should be done once a month when you have pets. I recommend Filtreteor WEB Lifetime Electrostatic filters. They range between $10 and $20 dollars each and are available at major home improvement stores.

5. Disinfect: Recommended daily.

• Removing surface bacteria will remove lingering odors. A high quality sanitizer can kill more than 99% of germs, even cold and flu viruses. Many of them can be used on any surface in your home.

6. Air fresheners: Recommended daily.

• Utilizing standard spray air fresheners only mask the scent and usually will end up smelling like a pet covered in flowers. The best thing is to use a spray that will remove the odors instead of covering them up. A good air sanitizer will kill many of the airborne odor-causing bacteria and leaves your home spelling fresh and clean.

7. Urine: Recommended as needed.

• I highly recommend Bissell Pawsitively CleanEwwwenzyme-powered pet stain & odor remover for removal of all urine odors. This is a miracle product and is a must for anyone who has a pet. It is also great for rabbit, guinea pig and ferret cages.

8. Pet Bedding: Recommended at least two times a month.

• If washable, wash in hot water then spray for a fresh, clean scent.

The above are tried and true ways to keep your home fresh and clean. Your pets are your family and while the steps provided may seem to be a lot, but once you get into the hang of it, soon it will become second nature.

Enjoy- Life, Pets, Family

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You can tell a lot about your dog by taking a good look at her skin. Clear and clean skin is a good indication your dog is pretty healthy.

Signs Of Healthy Skin

Here’s what healthy dog skin looks like:

• Color is consistent and it springs back when touched.
• No scales, crustiness, or roughness, no eruptions or scabs.
• Free of fleas and ticks. Infected or irritated bites from parasites mark the beginning of many potentially serious skin conditions.

What Causes Skin Problems

The most common culprits include:

• Allergies to substances such as food, pollen, cleaners, or even flea saliva. Keep your dog away from caustic products such as carpet cleaners or lawn treatments. A vet can help pinpoint the cause and prescribe medicines to relieve the itching.
• Infections from cuts or flea bites, or bacterial or fungal infections. These sorts of problems all require professional diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
• Too-frequent baths, regular or prolonged swimming in dirty water or highly chlorinated pools, and exposure to environmental hazards.
• Flea and tick bites, which can quickly turn into infections and bigger problems. Be sure to practice good flea and tick control.

Hot Spots

One of the most common skin problems requiring a vet’s help is the “hot spot”–a bacterial infection officially called pyrotraumatic dermatitis, or moist eczema. Hot spots begin as infected bites or scratches, and as the infection spreads–very rapidly–hair falls out, pus forms, and the area begins to smell awful. The spot even feels warm.

Hot spots are most common in breeds with thick coats, such as Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, and German Shepherds, and they occur more often in the warmer months. But they can afflict any dog at any time of the year.

As soon as you see a wet, raw-looking lesion, and especially if it looks noticeably bigger within a matter of hours, make an appointment to see your vet.

The doctor will probably shave the area around the lesion, and apply an antibacterial ointment. If it’s really bad, she may give your dog some antibiotics as well.

You may need to keep the wound clean and dry and continue applying medicine until it heals. It usually takes no more than a week or two for the sores to dry up, and the hair will grow back in another week or so after that.

Can hot spots be prevented? Not entirely, but bear in mind that the sores begin when moisture is trapped by the coat against already irritated skin. Any dog with matted or dirty hair or a naturally thick coat may be more prone to hot spots, so shaving your dog in the summer might help. Regular bathing and brushing can also make it less likely your dog will develop hot spots.

When It’s Time To See The Vet

If you see any of these symptoms, it’s time to visit the vet:

• A significant change in your dog’s skin
• Evidence of parasites
• Open sores
• Hot spots or signs of infection

Most of these conditions can be handled by using a topical cream, medication, or dietary supplements.

What Keeps Skin Healthy

• Good nutrition can fend off skin trouble. Feeding your dog supplements, such as essential fatty acids (EFAs), may help as well.. Even if supplements do help, it will be a matter of weeks or months before you’ll be able to see significant improvement.
• Grooming is an effective way to improve your dog’s skin (and coat) health. Brush your dog regularly with a soft-bristled brush; bathe her once a month, or so; and apply flea medication every month.

The post Your Dog’s Skin 101: Health, Hot Spots, Problems appeared first on Dog Family Helper.

Having a companion animal is a lifetime commitment–and sometimes that commitment involves spots and odors from urine, feces, or vomit. Naturally, you will want to remove all traces of spots and odors. Not only for a clean, fresh-smeilling home, it will also help to discourage repeat offenses.

Trouble with house-trained dogs?
Even housetrained dogs can sometimes have accidents, and the first step in finding an effective solution is determining why your dog is going in the house. The accidents may be the result of a medical condition or loss of bladder control due to old age. See your veterinarian quickly as the problem could be an easily treated condition.

Completely remove spots and odors from carpet
If you do find an accident, the faster you start cleaning, the easier it will be and the less likely stains will set. If you smell urine odor but can not find the spot, use a black light to locate the source. Hold the black light one to two feet above your carpet in a dark room, and urine stains will show a greenish/yellow color.

Pick up solid matter and then soak up any liquid with paper towels. For spots on carpeted areas, use a blotting motion, as rubbing can damage carpet fibers. A small, hand-held carpet spotting machine or wet vacuum can also be used to extract any liquid. Rinse with water and blot or vacuum again.

Apply a cleaner/neutralizer formulated for pet messes. Some products contain enzymes that actually digest the source of odors and stains. Follow the instructions on the product label as most enzymatic cleaners need some time to digest the spots.

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There are so many products on the market today and while some work better than others, I personally prefer a natural remedy for the protection of my dogs and young children.

My Greyhounds, Shiraz (6) and Buffett (11), have had their share of accidents in the home. We had a friend’s dog over recently and my eldest dog let this guest know who was boss and immediately marked her territory on our rug!

My dogs will chew grass on occasion only to come inside and aim their vomit on a rug, ignoring all the hardwood floors and tile that surround them. Or they get a nick on their skin and before we realize it, there is a trail of blood throughout the house and on the floors, rugs, carpet and bedding.

First, maybe you smell it, but can’t figure out where your pet had their accident or decided to mark. Black lights have more of a purpose now than just for a 70’s theme party. A black light will spot the “glow” of urine allowing you the first stop toward clean up.

For urine accidents, try a remedy from good ol’ Grandma: White vinegar is both inexpensive and effective. You may want to crack a window before you begin.

First, wipe up and/or blot the mess with paper towels, whether it’s on carpet or flooring.

Next, mix three parts water to one part white vinegar and you’re ready to clean and desensitize the smell.

If it happened on wood floors or tile, simply wipe up, use the solution, and then mop.

If it took place on carpet, wipe up the mess, saturate the spot with your solution, then blot. Next, sprinkle baking soda over it and let it sit a little while. Mix together 3/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide and one teaspoon of dish detergent. Sparingly sprinkle this on top of the baking soda, scrub with a brush, let it dry, and then vacuum away the stain and smell. This may need to be repeated.

If this sounds like to much to do, Bissell® Pawsitively Clean has a line of products to take care of the icky messes and hairy situations pet owners often come across.

I like Simple Solution because it’s nontoxic and it’s been effective on my stains and odors for urine, vomit, feces, and other items. It uses bacterial enzymes to rid the odor and detergents for the stain removal.

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There are lots of special products on the market, but this simple home remedy, developed by chemists, should do the trick. It works by chemically neutralizing the compounds in skunk spray that smell so bad.

Combine all the ingredients in an open bowl or bucket and start rubbing the mixture into your dog’s fur immediately–the chemical reaction between the ingredients is what gets rid of the smell, and it doesn’t last long. Work it through your dog’s coat, making sure it gets all the way down to the skin. Avoid your dog’s eyes. Follow up with a thorough rinsing with lukewarm water, taking care not to get the solution in your dog’s eyes.

Don’t store the mixture or try preparing it in advance. It will explode if kept in a closed container, and only works when it’s freshly made.

Your dog may still have a slight odor; keep him off furniture and rugs for a few days until the smell is totally gone.

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Grooming is an important part of being a dog parent. Grooming doesn’t just make your pup look good, it’s an essential part of keeping them healthy. Overgrown nails, impacted anal glands, and bad teeth can cause pain, discomfort and in some cases, death.

Brushing your dog’s teeth prevents all kinds of unpleasant health problems that have nothing to do with dog breath…  like heart, liver and kidney disease.

Keeping nails trimmed allows your dog to move around comfortably. Long, overgrown nails can be very painful to your pup. Plus, trimmed nails are less likely to mark up your floor.

Cutting any hair that falls into the eye can prevent eye irritation; keeping ear hair trimmed can help prevent ear infections. Cutting hair and brushing helps keeps mats and dreadlocks away.

Bathing keeps dirt from being tracked all over your home but also helps control parasites like fleas.

Here are the basic tools you’ll need to groom your dog. You can find them at any pet supply store:

• Brush (Talk to the clerk and make sure to get the right kind of brush for your dog’s fur. You may need a few brushes.)
• Nail clipper (Don’t get the cheap ones, talk to the clerk and get the good ones. It makes all the difference.)
• Organic Flea Control Shampoo (Never buy anything made by Hartz)
• Dog toothpaste and toothbrush (Don’t use human toothpaste)
• Towel

Depending on your dog’s coat, you’ll need a specific type of brush or a flea comb, most of which are available at good pet supply stores. Certain flea prevention products and toothpastes are only available at your veterinarian’s office. If you’re not sure which tools are best for your dog, a talk with your vet will help you get started.

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Article provided by: PetPlace.com

There are many things a new puppy owner has to think about and organize prior to bringing their “wee one” home and cleaning supplies is just one of them. It wouldn’t do to have the puppy have its first “accident” on the carpet and not have the right stuff on hand to clean and deodorize the spot. In addition, the new pup’s crate will need to be kept clean, as will his food bowl, eating area, and his toys. Having a new pup around is a bit like having a new baby in the house. You have to think about all aspects of the newcomer’s safety, preventing it from coming into contact with infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, parasites) yet also protecting it against exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. As friends and neighbors track in from the street, they will bring in to your home on the soles of their shoes a variety of contaminants ranging from infectious particles to lawn chemicals.

While young pups acquire some initial immunity from their dam toward certain dog-specific bacteria and viruses, this immunity wanes as the pup gets older and is replaced by that derived from vaccination. But the transition from one form of immunity (passive) to the other (active) is not always seamless or complete, often leaving holes in the pup’s defensive armor. It’s safer to assume nothing and do everything to keep the pup free from disease, even if this entails having people take their shoes off at the door and wiping other dogs’ paws off before allowing them into the inner sanctum of your (and, more importantly, the pup’s) home.

Below is a list of cleaning supplies that are worth considering as part of your armamentarium in the war against uncleanliness and disease.

• Wipes : Some sort of disposable paper product is great for initial cleaning up or picking up of messes. Some wipes can also be used directly on the pup. Ordinary paper towels purchased in the supermarket are as good as any for cleaning messes off the floor. Kleenex® is probably a better choice for cleaning the pup itself (wiping off paws, etc).
• Soap/detergent : You may apply soap or detergent to paper towels to help remove organic debris from a contaminated site (do not directly apply on the pup). Antiseptic soap or wipes should also be used for cleansing your hands before you engage in any “hands on” activities with the pup and after you have cleaned up messes. If you need to use additional products or chemicals to clean, soaps and detergents should be washed off before applying any other chemicals to the site.
• Disinfectant : To destroy microorganisms on surfaces following bulk clean up. Different disinfectants work against a different spectrum of germs. Your veterinarian can help you chose a good one for your purpose. Chlorhexidine (e.g. Novalsan®, Hibitane®) is good against many different types of bacteria and some viruses. Iodines (e.g. Betadine®, Povidone®) are also good but may stain. Phenols (e.g. Lysol®) may be too toxic unless the surface is well washed off after use. Quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g. Roccal-D®) are good but may be inactivated by hard water. Wood tar distillates (e.g. Pine-Sol®) have poor effectiveness against many disease-causing organisms.
• Odor neutralizer : Once “accidents” (urine, feces, vomit) have been picked up and grossly cleaned using wipes, dilution with water, soap, scrubbing, etc., a proprietary odor neutralizer should be applied. These liquids contain either enzymes or, in some cases, live bacteria that will biologically break down the molecules responsible for lingering odors. Where inappropriate elimination of urine or feces has occurred, trace lingering odors will attract a pup back to a previously soiled area as surely as a heat-seeking missile finds a source of heat. The use of odor neutralizers is of paramount importance in this regard. Attempting to mask the odor will not do: Only odor neutralizers are acceptable. Some brand names are Odorban, Odornil, Nilodor, Nature’s Miracle, Anti-Icky-Poo. Make sure the surface is free from harsh chemicals at the time of application. Some chemical cleaners will inactivate the odor-neutralizing product. Make sure the product you but is fresh. Odor neutralizer can be somewhat unstable “on the shelf,” depending on environmental conditions.
• Pooper scooper : To facilitate keeping the outside clean and “picked up.”
• Small disposal bags : For containment of solid waste deposits.
• Latex gloves : May come in handy for dealing with messy waste.
• General cleaning Supplies : buckets, mops, brooms, trash bags, and laundry detergent for washing puppy blankets, soft toys, etc.

  With this bag of tricks, a new puppy owner should be in good shape to go forward and deal with any bacterial, viral, parasitic, ammoniacal, or solid matter waste problem that arises. As usual, prevention is better than cure. Rather than wait for some problem of soiling to arise, grab the bull by both horns and squeegee frequently traversed linoleum, tile, or wood surfaces with an appropriate cleaner at regular intervals. Remember: where puppies are concerned, cleanliness is next to dogliness.

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I take my dog to a groomer. Am I supposed to tip? If so, what is the standard amount?

Certainly a tip is not appropriate if your Chihuahua comes back smelling like a garbage dump or your Husky returns with a Poodle cut. (Unless, of course, you specifically requested that Nanook be shaved around the ankles. And in that case, whether or not to tip is not your biggest issue right now.)

But if your dog reappears smelling clean, sporting a smart new haircut, and doesn’t seem to be particularly traumatized, you should tip. Fifteen percent is standard, and I suggest tossing in an extra buck or two when the groomers have been asked to express the anal glands. Yeah, it’s their job, but that part just… well… stinks.

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