Health & Wellness - December 2020

We all love those photos of our dogs covered in mud from playing outside on a rainy day or sand from a run at the local dog beach. They make for great memories and posts to your Instagram or Facebook account and help you share your love of your pet with the world. But when it comes to keeping your pets safe and healthy, an extra degree of vigilance and caution regarding their cleanliness doesn’t hurt.

This pertains to the simple things like taking your dog to the bathroom or going for short walks. Dogs can pick up bacteria on their paws outside on your usual walking route, and it is a good idea to be aware of the potential for bacteria in your local environment. When they come back inside, they can consume that bacteria by licking their paws as they self-clean. It is a good idea to keep some all-natural wipes around to clean them up afterwards. You can even buy paw-washers at your local pet store to give them a quick rinse.

If they are more dirty than usual because it is raining and the ground is muddy, you might have to take some extra steps to get them clean. For their cleaning products, a quality all-natural shampoo will do the trick. These shampoos should be dye- and fragrance-free, so your pet won’t have any adverse reactions to them. Ask your vet or check out your local pet supply store for brands like Tropi-Clean or Pet-Biotic.

With your natural shampoos in hand, it is important to bathe your dogs every other week or even once a week to prevent build-up of dirt and parasites. The frequency of bathing can depend on factors such as whether your dog has sensitive skin and whether your pup has environmental allergies that collect in the form of allergens on its skin and fur. Consult your veterinarian to determine if your dog has such sensitivities or allergies to produce an appropriate bathing schedule. Your veterinarian may even prescribe a prescription shampoo if necessary. Be on the lookout for redness on your dog’s skin that may appear at the joints or between their nails and toes, as this may suggest an allergy is present.

In addition to the bathing regimen, it is also crucial to get your dog’s nails trimmed on a monthly basis. Dogs love to scratch themselves, especially around the ears, and if their nails are too long, they can scratch too deep and injure themselves. While getting their nails trimmed, it is important to have their ears cleaned. Ear infections are common in dogs, and a little preventative ear maintenance will go a long way.

Ultimately, as a dog parent, you can play an important proactive role in your pet’s cleanliness. This can be done with natural products that reinforce your commitment to safe cleaning and a regular schedule of bathing at home along with nail-trimming and ear-cleaning at your vet or groomer.