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Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on August 26, 2009 at 11:56am

We don't bathe Sidney very often at all. He's remarkable clean and non-stinky (another cat-like habit, I think). He gets a bath every few months unless he happens to get into something; also more likely in summer to help cool and soothe his skin. We use EarthBath TeaTree and Aloe Vera (we bought it at Petco). It's great stuff!

http://www.petco.com/product/5757/Earthbath-Tea-Trea-Oil-and-Aloe-V...

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Permalink Reply by Beauty and the Beast on August 26, 2009 at 1:08pm

That's the one that gave Shiro irritated skin and dandruff. We had the oatmeal one.

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Permalink Reply by Potus on August 29, 2009 at 11:32pm

No more than once every two weeks is what our vet told us, but we don't bathe him regularly, just when he's decided to roll in mud, or smells (or get in paint as he did recently). Potus gets bathed in either the doggy shampoo we bought for him when he was a pup or wool wash. One of the dog trainers we had suggested using wool wash to clean dogs, she shows dogs (but not Corgis) and uses it, it works wonders and doens't do him any damage as its quite mild.

In summer he gets hosed down (well rinsed in the bath as we're in drought and not allowed to use hoses) because he hates the heat and reacts terribly.

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Permalink Reply by Joanna Kimball on August 30, 2009 at 2:00am

Mine go a week at most. When we're showing it's every night (or morning if we have late ring times). I can't stand it when whites get yellowish or feet get stained.

A lot of the lore about shampoos is wrong. You can use people shampoo if you want. Dog shampoo varies a huge amount based on the job it's supposed to do; most of the cheaper brands, pet store brands, or professional grooming brands are actually MUCH harsher and filled with more detergent ingredients than human shampoo is - they need to be, because they're supposed to get dogs clean who haven't been washed in months. The show brands, like Chris Christensen, are more like human shampoos in that they are gentler (i.e., weaker) and designed for frequent baths. But show people have used human shampoos for decades on dogs who are constantly bathed, and it doesn't hurt anything. I use Sally Beauty whitening shampoo and have every week for more than three years, and the dogs' coats are gorgeous and their skin is healthy and happy.

The biggest thing that people do wrong, and what leads to the "rules" about not bathing too frequently, is not diluting and then not rinsing enough. Dogs have thin skin that burns easily. Never apply shampoo straight; always dilute in a cup or an empty bottle. I usually put a tablespoon of shampoo in about 16 ounces of water and pour that slowly over the dog, working it into the coat, and repeat if necessary until the dog is sudsy all over. And then you have to rinse rinse rinse. Rinsing until the bubbles are gone is nowhere near enough. You've got to rinse, and get your fingers deep into the coat over every inch of the body, until you feel foolish, and then rinse ANOTHER five minutes. I usually follow up with a shampoo neutralizer and conditioner like Chris Christensen After Bath just in case I've missed any, even as careful as I am.

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Permalink Reply by Derek on August 30, 2009 at 1:32pm

Miranda only gets bathed one every few months. For one she hates it, and for another she is a very clean dog. She usually gets bathed more in the summer months because we go to the beach and she rolls in the most ... interesting things. Morgan is a puppy and so he gets gross at least once a month, and in between we use baby wipes on him. He has taken to nocking over the trash can and snuggling with what ever he finds to be yummy.

Miranda used johnson and johnson baby shampoo when she was younger, and now I use Malaseb shampoo that I get from my vet. With Morgan, he was so sick when we got him that we got special puppy shampoo from the pet store. It is supposed to be better for his skin, he had dry, itchy skin and inflamations. But I am not sure which one works better. I have just used both.

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Permalink Reply by Derek on August 30, 2009 at 1:34pm

oh, I forgot, my vet told me you can bath your dog as often as you want, just don't use soap when you do it. If your dog is as messy as Morgan, just give him a water bath, because too many soapy baths can ruin their skin and make them very uncomfortable. It strips the natural oils from them.

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Permalink Reply by Peggie Walsh on July 5, 2011 at 2:24pm

I did not realize about "people" shampoo and used Baby Shampoo on Little Miss Muffett. What a BIG mistake.  She still has horrible dandruff.  My vet gave me a sample of a pet shampoo with salacilic (sp) acid. It helped. Muffett had a cyst that just popped and is weeping. The vet looked at it this morning and said no problem (she is on an antibiotic already). I am afraid I caused the cyst because of the baby shampoo (blocking her pores?).

 

Just a few minutes ago she rolled in something smellly...what is that about?  I like the idea of the essential oils. I started using them for my own skin allergies. Can anyone advise the correct oils for dogs? AND how to apply them? 

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Permalink Reply by Jenny, Tucker, & Zoey on July 7, 2011 at 12:37am

Tucker goes to the groomer once a month to get all cleaned up. They usually use the Furminator shampoo on him.

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