Holistic dog health is quickly becoming the way for owners to make sure that their beloved pets have a reliable dog health diagnosis for any health issue that arises, and that they remain healthy and playful, and that they live long, happy, and full lives.

Perhaps the most important aspect for a dog’s health would be a unique blend of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to make sure the joints, organs, and digestive systems make work in harmony. The skin and coat of your dog is probably the first sign either of health or illness in a dog. A great diet for your pet dog is holistic in approach, with meals consisting primarily, though not exclusively, of meat. The most important thing is to avoid processed foods.

Once you have a dog health diagnosis, you can go the conventional treatment way, or use a combination of various essential oils, flowering essences, plant extracts, and certain herbs. You can consult with a holistic veterinarian, or you could do your own research on holistic dog health care and run your ideas past your vet before embarking upon a holistic treatment regime. These ancient healing practices have in recent years found their way into pet care and are now becoming increasingly popular as more and more dog owners are looking for safer, healthier, and less invasive alternatives to treating their pets.

Calendula and chamomile may be recommended for promoting the healing of wounds, with the latter often being used for the treatment of respiratory ailments also. If your dog is suffering from constipation or a bowel disorder, crushed flaxseed mixed with plenty of water may be helpful. Dry, itchy skin, can be soothed with oats, and if your dog is having trouble sleeping, you may well find that lavender essential oil may help your to relax fall asleep just as well as it will work for yourself if you suffer from insomnia.

Your vet can provide valuable input and recommendations in relation to holistic dog health care, but if you have a vet who is not interested in discussing alternative health methods with you, you should do your own research, as well as consider finding another vet who is willing to listen to your views about the use of alternative treatments for your dog.

Nowadays, many veterinarians are developing faith in a holistic dog fitness approach, and are using it as a way to augment their practices. A veterinarian who practices holistic pet care treats animals as a whole, rather than identifying a certain problem and prescribing one type of treatment related to that specific injury or illness.

As an example, if your dog presents with a skin rash displaying symptoms like itching, irritation, redness, and possible infection with concomitant fur loss, a presciption from a “traditional” vet would certainly include an antibiotic and maybe an ointment for the itching.

While a “regular” vet would probably prescribe an antibiotic to treat most skin irritations and infections, as well as a topical ointment to address the itching, a holistic veterinarian will probably place more emphasis on finding out what could have caused the rash to occur in the first place, which, of course, was the root of the infection. With holistic care, the dog’s indoor and outdoor environment, his daily lifestyle, eating habits and nutritional intake are all taken into consideration before attempting to diagnose or treat the animal.

Your dog is more than your pet. He is your best friend, companion, and protector. When he is not feeling well, the last thing you want to do is worry that there is something seriously wrong. Therefore, off you go to the veterinarian for a dog health diagnosis.

This really should be done on a regular basis instead of waiting until he needs to go. Your veterinarian can help you to know which things to look for if you suspect that your dog is ill. On basic trips to the vet, your dog should have several things done to keep him healthy to start with.

Dogs should always be vaccinated. Several diseases are the culprits behind many dog deaths. Your dog should have his rabies shots, distemper, and treatments for fleas. Older dogs can have asthma or even a form of Alzheimer’s which is best treated by your vet. The importance of having regular check-ups for your faithful friend cannot be stressed enough.

A lot of the times, dogs can get the same sicknesses that humans get. Dogs can catch the common cold, a fever, and sometimes cancer. This is why it is so important for you to take your dog to the vet so that a regular, routine check-up can be done to check for any type of problems.

When you keep your pet in the best health possible, you will find that he/she will be much happier, and so will you. Having a dog that mopes around or acts sick is very worrisome for pet owners. Dogs generally act just as a sick child would who is too young to be able to express what is wrong. When your dog isn’t feeling the best, he/she can’t tell you that it’s a stomach ache or a headache.

This is why your dog has to be able to rely on you to keep him healthy. You have to fed him, walk him, bathe him, and love him with your entire heart, and he will love you back. There are many things that you can do in order to keep your dog healthy and feeling the best. Many veterinarians provide natural remedies in order to keep your dog in tip-top shape, both inside and out.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to make sure that your dog’s diet fits his age and any type of special needs that he/she may have. You want your dog to be energetic and healthy, not sick and lazy. Avoid dog foods that are high in sugars or preservatives. Just like us, exercise cannot be stressed enough. When you take a walk, it is good for your dog and yourself. You can hit two birds with one stone.

A dog health diagnosis is the way to make sure there are no problems, even if they are little ones that could turn into something more serious later. After all, if you find out a few things about how to keep your dog healthy and happy, he will be around for a long time to be a faithful companion to you. He will love you unconditionally, greet you when you come home, and best of all, he will always be your friend.

When you own a Siberian Husky you need to be aware of possible issues as any dog owner should be aware of. Many of the Siberian Husky problems you will encounter are a result of their built in need to be busy and working and while that can lead to problems it can also be a good thing as well. All you need to do is keep track of your dog’s behavior and know what the warning signs are of prospective Siberian Husky problems and then you should be alright.

One of the things the Siberian Husky is known for is its love of running. It was bred as a working dog and cannot stand idle for very long. If you plan on using your Husky as a hunting dog or training it as a racing dog then that works, but for a family dog that is a problem. As long as you can give your Husky some running time every day then it can adapt to down time as well.

You are going to want to take the time to teach your Siberian Husky social skills with other people and animals because one of the big Siberian Husky problems is that the dog can get very protective of its human family and become a less that hospitable host to strangers.

One of the more surprising traits of the Siberian Husky, which for some people can become a Siberian Husky problem, is that your Husky will sometimes prefer not to bark but rather it will start to howl like a wolf. That is because the Siberian Husky is a direct relative to the wolf and at many times the Husky much prefers howling as its form of communication over barking and this can sometimes trigger other dogs to start howling and this can be bad.

The Husky is a direct relative to the wolf so, rather than spending their time and energy barking, the Husky likes to howl a lot. This can be especially troublesome when your Husky starts to get all the other dogs in the neighborhood howling as well. It is a built in behavior that you will never be able to completely suppress but obedience training can help get it under control.

Not all Siberian Husky problems are behavioral. You need to get your Husky to regular vet appointments because the Husky is prone to many health issues. They can get bone deterioration that causes their joints to become very painful.

They can also get digestive problems that can be an issue for everyone and they are also known to get eye infections every once in a while as well. Regular vet visits will keep your dog healthy and everyone happy.

A Siberian Husky is a hard working and active dog that is a direct relative to the wild wolf so you can imagine that their instincts can sometimes be a problem. But they are also very loyal dogs and if you take the time to develop a good relationship with your Husky then you can work out any Siberian Husky problems that may come up.

All dog owners want to be sure their pets are well cared for. To do this they must provide proper exercise and seek the opinion of a veterinarian to keep their dog healthy. This also includes making sure their pet is well fed. Many people think that purchasing the best food available is all that is necessary for their pet to live a long and healthy life. It only makes sense to believe that commercial dog food is better for our pets. Unfortunately, this isn’t always true.

Like all companies, pet food manufacturers want to make money. Because their regulations are not as strict as the ones that producers of human food follow, they often use ingredients that are not very good. These include items that most people would never feed their prized pets. Now that you are aware of the situation, here are some ideas on how to be sure your dog meeting its nutritional requirements.

Though it is more time consuming, a lot of pet owners have started making homemade dog food. It does take longer than purchasing ready made food at the store, but the advantages certainly make it worth while. Paying attention to prices will allow you to spend a similar amount to what you spent previously on commercial dog food. Here are some things to take into account when preparing homemade pet food.

Dogs are perfectly capable of living on a vegetarian diet. Although we grew up believing that it is necessary for dogs to eat meat to get the nutrition that they need, it really isn’t true. If given the right vegetables and if they are prepared properly your dog will have everything that it needs to live a full and happy life. Many times a dog will even live a longer life on home prepared food than it will on manufactured food. Imagine if you ate out at a fast food restaurant every day. You would certainly suffer from malnutrition even though your belly was full. The same is true with your dog. If you feed your dog homemade dog food they certainly will be healthier.

One thing that you will need to be careful of is that there are certain types of food that are not good for your dog to eat. Some of these include chocolate, macadamia nuts, milk and milk-based products, grapes, and raisins. You would also never want to give your dog an alcoholic beverage. Other than some restrictions on what you can feed your dog, you’ll find that you have a wide range of homemade dog foods to choose from. Just make sure that you know your restrictions.

You’ll always be taking care of your dog throughout it’s life. The extra nutrition found in homemade food may actually make your pet live longer. Your dog will love you for it and this will definitely make you happier too.

Knowing that you can give your dog homemade dog food can put you in a financial setback as far as food prices are concerned, but in reality, who can say that they don’t feed their dog human food scraps or care to?

So in the long run although a dog is generally catogorized as having a different diet requirement, it is perfectly fine to have homemade dog food as their body digests the same way that humans do and their is no scientific proof otherwise.

Canine Diabetes: A Serious Dog Disease That is Completely Manageable

Canine diabetes is a serious disease that causes there to be too much glucose in the blood. If your pet has any of the signs, a dog health exam will help you find out with certainty. Canine diabetes symptoms usually include the following:

- drinking excessive amounts of water

- frequent urination

- weight gain (or weight loss in some cases)

- increased lethargy during the day

A simple blood test can tell the vet if the glucose counts look suspicious. You should have a full physical exam done on your dog annually, even if he seems perfectly healthy. Be sure to ask your vet to include a full blood work-up, to rule out diabetes (as well as many other diseases). It’s well worth the added cost!

If your pet has been diagnosed with canine diabetes, don’t panic. While it is a ‘special needs’ issue that will influence many daily decisions, it is a manageable disease in dogs. You just have to learn some simple steps and stick to a schedule.

The first goal after a canine diabetes diagnosis is to get the glucose levels down to a normal (or only slightly elevated) level. This will not require thorough dog health exams like the original blood test. The vet can draw some blood and test the levels fairly quickly, with minimal cost to you.

Canine diabetes means someone must administer insulin injections (in most cases). They are easy to do and will quickly become routine. One person in the family should be responsible for the shots, but everyone should know how to give them (age teen and up) in case of a dog health emergency. I highly recommend posting a printout of how to give the injection to your pet in every room in your house, just in case.

In our house, where we have a diabetic dog, we made a canine diabetes “Dog Health Cheat Sheet” for potential problems, like these:

- too much insulin is accidentally injected

- the needle breaks off while in the dog

- there’s a seizure (not common, but can happen occasionally)

The cheat sheet includes the vet’s emergency number and some basic actions to take in each scenario. We made several copies to be posted all over the house, but especially by the phone, the fridge (where the insulin is kept), and the bed (where our dog hangs out a lot).

The other goal with canine diabetes is to maintain the glucose level (with your vet’s help). It is crucial to take your pet periodically to the vet for a whole day (8-hour period at least) so they can check blood sugar levels throughout the day. Just as in humans, blood sugar levels fluctuate in your pet throughout the day. Having your vet monitor and take several blood readings during a longer stretch of time helps ensure that your diabetes treatments are actually working as intended.

It’s a little more work to care for diabetic dogs, no doubt about it. But our pets are family members and we love them dearly. Right? They give us their devotion, protection, and love, so the least we can do in return is give them proper health care, especially if they have problems like canine diabetes. Going the extra mile for them will help them live happier lives with less pain and more enjoyment. Can there be a nobler goal?

John Schwartz is a freelance writer, webmaster, and dog lover. He has written many published articles on subjects that include shopping for dog supplies, improving pet health, and good dog training practices. Please visit my dog supplies website at http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com for more dog and puppy tips.

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Dog Diseases number in the scores, just as in humans. But, veterinarians tend to see some much more than others. Sadly, a great deal of grief could be avoided if more dog owners were careful to see that their pets are immunized regularly against preventable dog diseases.

While experts, as usual, may differ, what are the top ten dog diseases? Here’s a list (not necessarily in order of seriousness) with a brief explanation of each disease:

Distemper:

Of all the dog diseases, the American Veterinary Medical Association considers the distemper virus to be the worst canine disease threat to dogs world wide. Distemper is fatal in 80% of puppies and 50% of adults. All dogs are extremely vulnerable, and should be vaccinated, with subsequent boosters in keeping the recommendation of a Veterinarian.

Parvovirus (Parvo):

Parvovirus is a worldwide dog disease. It is extremely contagious, especially among puppies, and can overwhelm a dog leading to death within 48 to 72 hours after exposure. Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, vomiting and severe diarrhea. Parvo vaccination is essential with booster shots as recommended.

Rabies:

Rabies is a virus and becomes fatal when symptoms appear. Because rabies can be fatal to humans and other mammals, state and local laws uniformly require rabies vaccination, many mandating booster shots yearly.

Kennel Cough:

This is a respiratory disease especially prevalent in kennels and shelters. There are a variety of virus strains, including Bortadella. Symptoms can include a dry hacking cough along with inflammation of the larynx, bronchial tubes and trachea. Vaccination, as often as every six months is recommended.

Leptospirosis:

Symptoms of Leptospirosis include lethargy, kidney inflammation, low-grade fever, vomiting, reddening of the mucous membranes and conjunctiva, and blood clotting abnormalities. Since it is a bacterial disease, also found in humans, it is treated with antibiotics. Veterinarians are often reluctant to innoculate against this dog disease, since there is questionable effectiveness, and puppies can have adverse reactions.

Infectious canine hepatitis:

While this dog disease often manifests itself with mild symptoms such as a slight fever or slight lethargy, it can, in some instances become fatal. Recovery is usually rapid. Vaccination is recommended.

Lyme Disease:

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in dogs will include lethargy, joint pain, lack of appetite, lymph node enlargement, and fever. Lyme Disease is bacterial and is spread by ticks. Treatment is with tetracycline, an antibiotic. The available vaccine is not generally recommended.

Coronavirus:

Diarrhea and vomiting are symptomatic of this dog disease so it can be confused with parvovirus. Other indications are loss of appetite, smelly diarrhea, lethargy and dehydration. Replacement of lost fluids and control of vomiting and diarrhea are the recommended treatments. A vaccine is not generally recommended.

Obesity:

Just as in humans, this dog disease is a serious medical problem. Frequently, obese humans own obese dogs. Obviously, limiting food intake, withholding human food and enough exercise will contribute to a dogs longer life.

Heartworm:

Heartworms are parasites that grow and multiply, infesting the chambers in the heart, arteries in the lungs. Symptoms appear gradually, usually manifested in easy tiring, lethargy and a soft cough. If not treated, it eventually brings on death by congestive heart failure in a once active animal. Prevention with products such as HartGard is recommended.

Your veterinarian should give you a certificate showing your pet’s immunization against the common dog diseases. Ask for a wallet sized card which you can carry with you.

Robert G. Knechtel maintains several websites, including PetMedShop.Com, and Go60.Com.

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There are many things that both the Shih Tzu and the Shih Tzu owners could have in common. For example, both Shih Tzu and Shih Tzu owners could be prone to obesity if not regulating food intake and by not exercising.

In addition, Shih Tzu and humans may also acquire diseases that results from improper dietary regimen like diabetes, heart diseases, etc.

Moreover, the most amusing thing that both Shih Tzu and humans share is the fact that they are both vulnerable to allergies.

Sounds impossible? Think again.

Veterinary experts assert that Shih Tzu have allergies too. One of the primary signs of allergies is the itching of their skin. Their respiratory tract system can also be affected with allergies.

Normally, Shih Tzu will manifest symptoms of respiratory tract allergies like sneezing, wheezing, and coughing. Their nose and their eyes may also manifest a discharge just like humans do whenever they have colds or flu.

There are also allergies that may have an effect on their digestive system; hence, it may result as watery stools, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Experts say that almost 20% of the Shih Tzu in the United States suffer from several types of allergy. So, for people who want to know more about the different allergies that Shih Tzu acquire, here is a list of the most common allergies:

1. Allergies with fleas

It is a well-known fact that Shih Tzu are usually infected with fleas. However, what most people do not know is that they can get allergies through these fleas, too.

Well, it is not the fleas that actually cause the allergic reactions in Shih Tzu but the flea’s saliva. Hence, it is important for the Shih Tzu to undergo a skin allergy examination so as to determine if a particular dog is sensitive to flea saliva.

In the event that the Shih Tzu is allergic to flea saliva, it would be better for the owner to implement a rigorous flea control or flea eradication treatment in order to lessen the allergic reactions. Though, it must be kept in mind that solutions that are used in flea control should be safe for the Shih Tzu.

2. Allergies pertaining to foods

Like humans, Shih Tzu gets allergies from food as well. There are instances wherein Shih Tzu gets allergies from foods that their system cannot tolerate, such as wheat, soy products, pork, beef, whey, fish, eggs, milk, corn, artificial sweeteners, and chemical preservatives that are placed in their food.

Moreover, Shih Tzu can get allergies in food that they have not tried before. The best way to combat this particular allergy problem is to feed the dog commercial dog foods more often instead of homemade products.

Some signs of allergic reactions to food in Shih Tzu are shaking of the head, scratching the ears, irritated skin, biting and licking at the rear feet, inflammations in the ear, sneezing, behavioral changes, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.

3. Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a known allergic skin disease in dogs. This is usually caused by the hypersensitivity of the dog’s immune system to ordinary substances that can be found in the environment like molds or dust mites.

Usually, a Shih Tzu is said to be suffering from atopic dermatitis when the Shih Tzu begins to excessively lick and chew its paws, licking the abdomen and its rear feet.

Atopic dermatitis can be seen as a saliva staining found in the armpits, between the toes of the paws, and in the groin. In light-colored canines, atopic dermatitis can be seen as a red-brown stain found on the same parts that were mentioned.

4. Allergies resulting from bacteria

This is the most common cause of serious allergies in Shih Tzu. Generally, there are certain bacteria that thrive in the dog’s skin. This is known as the species of Staphylococcus bacteria. In most cases, this does not cause allergies in Shih Tzu. However, there are certain types of dogs that develop an allergy to it.

The most common symptom of this kind of allergy is hair loss along with the development of ringworm like marks in the Shih Tzu skin. The areas where these marks appear usually get infected, hence, it is important to treat them with antibiotics.

Indeed, allergies are not for humans only. Allergies greatly affect almost 20% of the total population of dogs in the United States, and that is a pretty alarming number. Therefore, it is extremely important for dog owners to know these dog allergies in order to prevent them from further exposure.

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

Author: Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies from top champion bloodlines in many different colors of blues, reds, chocolates, blacks. We have the small AKC standards, imperials and teacups at reasonable prices. We offer you educational material, dog bows and dog clothes. Visit us online at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com and sign up for our FREE newsletter. We are the largest privately-owned Shih Tzu site on the World Wide Web.

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When you hear the term hot spot, you usually think of a great night club, restaurant or place to vacation, but if you are a dog owner then you think of something totally different. They are not great and certainly not a vacation.

Canine Hot spots (otherwise known as moist dermatitis) are inflamed, infected areas of skin that can spread very quickly due to the affected dog licking and scratching. Some dogs are more likely to have hot spots than others, but this pesky problem can affect virtually any dog. Fortunately for dog owners, there are several ways to treat hot spots.

Here are basic instructions on how to treat them…

Steps:

1. Trim the fur from the area around the hot spot with scissors. If the area is large at all, you should shave it instead.

Causing the Hot Spot to be exposed to the air will help dry out the moisture and speed up healing.

2. Clean the affected area with a gentle skin cleanser for dogs and rinse thoroughly with cool water.

3. Apply a cold compress to the area a few times a day. It is best to use a cool wet washcloth.

4. Apply a topical relief cream such as Vitamin E, tea bag compresses, or Domeboro’s solution to dry out the area.

Hydrocortisone cream or hot spot spray with hydrocortisone can relieve itching. You should always consult with a veterinarian first before applying topical treatments.

5. If the above steps don’t seem to help, then you should take your dog to the vet right away. The hot spots are probably severe enough that Topical relief won’t stop the spread of infection.

Things you should be aware of regarding Hot Spots:

Hot spots can result from fleas, food allergies, tangled or matted hair, humidity, not drying a wet dog properly, or from dogs licking and biting themselves, often out of boredom.

Treat hot spots immediately to prevent further spreading. Hot spots can be very painful, so be cautious when treating your dog. Sometimes hair can mat over the hot spot and obscure the severity of the problem.

Above all else, use the golden rule of contacting a veterinarian when in doubt of any health condition that your dog may be experiencing.

As part of your dog’s regular grooming session, it is important that you frequently examine his coat and skin for dog flea bites. Dog fleas can cause severe irritation by sucking on your dog’s blood. If your dog should develop an allergy to dog flea bites, it could cause him to scratch uncontrollably, and develop sore, weeping skin. Fleas are also known to spread tapeworms to dogs that happen to accidentally eat them.

Fleas need an ample source of blood in order to lay their eggs, and your dog is a perfect source. They can easily jump onto your dog anywhere outside your home. And once they are done satisfying their blood thirst from your beloved pooch, they will usually stay in one area of your home, such as your carpet or bed, until they lay their eggs.

Fleas are not at all shy about having their presence detected. Chances are your dog has at least a few dog flea bites on him if he is scratching, biting, or shaking more than usual. If you happen to notice that he looks a little irritated, you should check him for fleas. To do this, start by pushing back the fur around his neck, along his back, and on his rear end and belly. Be sure to keep a look out for black and white particles similar to sand. These are flea eggs and waste material, a sure sign of a flea’s presence. You can also use a fine-toothed comb to search for fleas. Run the comb over his coat and see if you can catch any of these annoying culprits. There are many options available for controlling dog flea bites on your dog. Your vet is the best person to discuss these options with you.

Visit PuppyTowne.net for more info on Dog Flea Bites.

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How Often Should You Bathe A Pet?

Bathing your dog or cat is an important part of pet ownership. Regardless of your pets’ breed and coat type, shampooing promotes cleanliness and a healthy skin and coat. Frequency of bathing varies greatly between breeds and individual pets, and how often your pet should get a bath depends on the needs of your own dog or cat.

Cats and dogs may share many things, when it comes to baths and bathing techniques, cats and dogs couldn’t be more different. Cats are fastidious self-groomers, and many cats can go a lifetime without requiring a true bath. This is generally a good thing, because most cats aren’t big fans of the bathing process, and bathing a cat is generally not for the inexperienced cat owner, or the faint of heart.

Some cats do require bathing, usually for medical reasons. Cats being treated for skin infections or fungal infections, such as ringworm, may need regular baths to treat and prevent re occurrence of skin problems. Older and overweight cats may not be able to groom themselves as thoroughly, and may require routine bathing in order to keep up their personal hygiene. An occasional bath may be necessary if your cat gets sprayed by a skunk, gets unusually dirty, or gets a foreign substance on his or her coat. But for the average, healthy cat, a good brushing program may be able to replace the bath for routine coat care.

On the flip side, while dogs do require routine baths to stay clean and healthy, they fortunately are a little more accepting of the process. Regular bathing of all dogs, despite coat length or type, helps to keep the coat and skin healthy. Most dogs do not require frequent bathing (once a month or less!), but brushing in between bath times helps to keep them clean, removing dead hair, dirt and other debris from the coat.

How often you should bathe your dog depends greatly on your dog, his activity level and breed. The best way to tell if your dog needs a bath is through your nose- if your dog has that “doggy odor” than it’s probably time for a bath.

Some dogs require more frequent bathing as a matter of cleanliness, but as a generally rule, most dogs should not have a bath more than once a month. Some breeds prone to oily skin, such as Cocker Spaniels and Shih Tzu’s, may require baths every 2-4 weeks, while thick coated dogs, like Chows and Huskies may only need a bath a few times a year.

Unlike human hair, dog fur is not suitable for constant bathing, and repeated washing will strip the skin of its natural, protective oils. The loss of these oils can cause your dog to scratch, irritating the skin, and, yep- making the dog stink, causing him to be bathed even more frequently. While over-bathing can be a vicious cycle, there are some things you can do to make sure that bathing doesn’t create a problem for your pet.

For the average dog, bathed once a month or so, human shampoo can usually be used without ill effect. Dog skin is more sensitive than human skin, and using shampoo designed for people can cause a pH imbalance in the skin, leading to excessive dryness. Any dog being bathed more frequently than once a month should always be washed in a dog-specific shampoo.

A quick trip to your local pet store, and you will find a variety of shampoos for every possible need your dog may have- formulated to help combat itchy skin, fleas and ticks, doggy odor, excessive shedding, coat color enhancers, and everything in between. Not all soaps are created equal- if you have questions, consult your veterinarian or groomer for their recommendations on a good shampoo for routine use.

There are some cases where your dog may need baths every few days for a time, such as for treatment of skin infections, fungal infections and other skin and coat problems. Your veterinarian may prescribe a medicated shampoo, designed to help combat the underlying skin problem. It is important to follow your veterinarians’ instructions carefully in these cases, because often the medicated shampoos must be lathered onto the dog, and left in place for several minutes for optimal effect.

If your dog is prone to skin problems, talk to your veterinarian about your current grooming regimen, and see if adjustments should be made. Often dogs that suffer from recurrent hot spots and skin infections can be helped with a more steady bathing ritual, to remove dirt and build up from the coat and allow the skin to breathe. Dogs that swim in pools and the ocean should be bathed thoroughly after every swim- the chlorine and salt water are both highly irritating if left on the coat, and can cause skin irritations and infections.

If your dog is long-haired, or prone to tangles, a coat conditioner may be useful as a second step to the bathing process. Conditioners can help to manage the hair and make it softer, allowing for mats and tangles to be more easily removed, along with re-moisturizing the coat.

It is important to note that in dogs prone to ear infections, bathing (and swimming) can be a constant cause of ear irritation. In order to help avoid ear problems, place a cotton ball into the outer part of your dogs’ ear canal while bathing, to prevent excessive water from seeping in. After bathing, clean your dogs ears with a dog-specific ear cleaner- this will help to remove excess water from inside the ear canal, a prime candidate for causing ear infections.

How often you should shampoo your pet depends greatly on your dog or cats living circumstances, age, condition and breed. Bathing is a valuable tool to keeping your pet healthy and happy, and when done correctly, can help your pet to lead a long and happy life.

David Beart is owner of the Professors House, a site dedicated to family, relationships, pet information, and household issues.

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