Has your dog spent the day playing in puddles, rolling around in the grass and dirt, and is now utterly filthy? Before entering the house, he will need a good wash! Here are some tips on how to wash your dog using natural remedies that are minimally invasive yet highly effective.
Washing your dog is necessary to ensure his hair is healthy, strong and (obviously) not so smelly. The latter, in particular, depends on sebum and the coat: when damp and muggy, the sebum oxidises, spreading bacteria and taking on that notable doggy-smell.
There are several solutions for restoring shine to the hair and to ensure you have a perfumed pooch. It is always a good idea to avoid chemicals, turning to natural remedies instead.
Soap with sodium bicarbonate
This natural soap that can be made at home is based on sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), which has the benefit of rendering the coat soft and shiny, whilst removing odours immediately. The process is easy – simply dissolve six spoonfuls of baking soda into three litres of warm water and use this mixture as soap. You can now wash your four-legged friends as usual, making sure to rinse with plenty of water.
Oat shampoo
Oats are used in many pet products due to their soothing and healing properties, such as restoring the skin’s natural pH. To make this oat shampoo for your dog, you need 120 grams of oats, 60 grams of baking soda and warm water. With a grinder, reduce the oats into fine powder, add the baking soda then gradually stir in the warm water until you have a homogeneous mixture. When washing the dog, leave the shampoo on for at least 5 minutes. After rinsing, you will see the dog’s coat is nicely cleaned and perfumed!
Conditioner for a shiny coat
To create canine conditioner, take two tablespoons of fresh chopped rosemary and a cup of water. In a pot, bring the ingredients to the boil then allow the mixture to cool for 10 minutes. Next, remove the rosemary and pour the infusion into a bottle that will be rubbed all over Fido’s coat after shampooing. This is a great way to make your dog’s hair soft and shiny.
To ensure giving your dog a bath is easier and more fun, you can use the handy Dog Shower by Ferplast, the perfect soap-distributing nozzle for Fido’s bath time that helps prevent water splashing everywhere.
