Comments on: Bathing Dogs: How Often To Bath, How To Do It

By: Kate

Kate — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 01:20:38 +0000

Dear Walkerville vet
I stumbled across a blog of yours regarding shampoos. I was looking for an alternative as I felt my 7mth old pup didn’t like the smell of her current brand. We tried one of your recommendations for sensitive skin, and wow I didn’t realise how inflamed her skin actually was. She’s an oodle and I thought her skin was pink…. But after using a good shampoo, I see it’s not … She was just pink with irritation. Her eyes have less rubbish coming out of them, her ears are annoying her less… She is so much better just from a switch in shampoo. I’m forever grateful.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 23:54:09 +0000

In reply to Nerissa Haby. Hi Nerissa. Although I am generally a fan of bathing dogs more frequently than is commonly done, there will be some dogs for whom this will not be the right thing. It’s possible that your dog is one of those. My only other suggestion would be to make sure you are using a soap free shampoo. I have listed some Australian brands, but I’m sure they can be found throughout the world. Many are also marketed with a conditioner, which I would definitely be trying sparingly in your case as well. Good luck.

By: Nerissa Haby

Nerissa Haby — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 21:16:29 +0000

Hi, i don’t wash my my Italian greyhound very often. After I do, a dandruff seems to appear in her coat. I can brush it out and that’s the end of it until the next bath. I’ve tried to discover the cause: shampoo type, not rinsing the shampoo out enough, frequency of bathing. I found a website that suggested drying your dog’s coat thoroughly. As I just towel dry and let her curl up in a warm bed, I wondered if that was a likely cause? Thank you for all of your evidence-based blogs!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 12:07:37 +0000

In reply to Nat. Hi Nat. Given how long it took to get good dog shampoos, and how few are still available 25 years later, I assume that they are very hard to replicate. As for homemade ear cleaner, I mention it on one of my pages about ear infections.

By: Nat

Nat — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 12:10:42 +0000

Another helpful article, thanks. What do you think of home made solutions for shampoos and ear cleaners? (often comprised of vinegar, aloe vera, water and nontoxic dishwashing liquid)

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 06:01:11 +0000

In reply to Marilyn. Thanks! My only suggestion is that since itchy feet are often a local sign of more generalised skin problems (which is also true for ear infections), all-over bathing is likely to be working better than foot baths alone. The combination you're doing sounds best.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 04:53:19 +0000

Great news letter this week. My dog had developed itchy toes. I am now simply standing her in the trough with some shampoo dissolved in it. She’s happy for me to ‘swish’ her feet around in this mixture. Then I stand her in clear warm water to rinse out the shampoo. Then she gets a big cuddle while I dry her feet, lastly she gets a small treat.
I do this often because her feet get muddy on our walks and simply drying them when we get home is not enough. The same with the beach. Sometimes I begin a bath the same kind of way, but I wash all of her eleven kilograms, being careful of her ears and eyes. She doesn’t mind any of it. She is an adopted girl now about eleven years old – not quite sure. We have been her parents for three years. I think dogs with non-shedding fur must become accustomed to baths and hair cuts because it will happen all their life.