shower

[mirela]

do you give your dog shower regularly? i normally wash my dog once per week, but sometimes she really stinks or dirty, not sure would it be harmful to give her more showers?

[LoftyLottie]

Our vets now charge �26.00 for a consultation however short or long!!! Consider yourself lucky!!! And yes, they all try and sell you toothbrushes, etc. at high prices. Wish I was a vet - it's a very profitable growth industry.

[alfieblue]

mirela - re brushing the dogs teeth - have you tried denta-stix also? They are chewy sticks and work perfectly well - if your dog does not like her teeth being brushed. We try to do both but pup prefers the sticks and his teeth and gums are very healthy.

You can buy them from pet shops, supermarkets - anywhere - just go by the dogs weight to get correct size sticks. They do help - my pup has beaut teeth and friends with older dogs have said how much they help to clean teeth and gums.

Also, have you tried Simple Solution Pre-moistened Dog Bathing Cloths? They are are nice little alternative if doggie needs a freshen up! (As needs be occasionally!!).

No water or rinsing needed. Again available from pet stores but I guess there are other products on the market that would do the same job. Hope this helps :o)

[LoftyLottie]

My dogs love those denta sticks Alfie (Good morning to you by the way!!). My vet said they were useless but he would say that wouldn't he!!

Every time I take either of the dogs (or cats) to the vet they recommend a tooth clean (under anaesthetic) and I decline. I don't believe in anaesthetics that aren't necessary. I know we need vets and don't hesitate to use them if any of my animals are ill - but I get really fed up with all their sales ploys these days!!!

[alfieblue]

Good morning LL!! How are you doing? :o)

I agree with you entirely - going under anaesthetic for my pup and pets in previous years is a no no unless absolutely necessary. I would not hesitate if something was seriously wrong or suspect but I guess at my time of life I have a good idea of good health in a pet, gut instinct - signs, all that sort of thing. Just like you and all other animal lovers.

As you know the tooth sticks work so well. My pup's teeth are in such good condition (as previously stated plus older doggies of pals) - pup has a sparkle when he smiles Lol!!!!

:o)=

[tigerlily11]

If I tried brushing my dogs teeth he'd leave home. Dentastix are the answer for that.
I wash him three or four times over the summer months and once in the winter. Thats because he hates it with a vengence. I have to do it in the garden as he won't go near the bathroom.
The only thing I wash on a regular bases are his feet.
He has the smelliest feet on the planet and nothing I use gets rid of it.

[alfieblue]

Lol tigerlily re doggies feet!!!

My pup loves the sea and ponds but hates going in the bath or shower!!!! Ho hum!!!

We now have a fair sized kiddies paddling pool which we use in the summer in the garden! His toys are put in there and he has to fetch!!! He will initially do that willingly (bless) - then its a quick doggie shampoo (very quick sometimes depending on how he feels!) - then change of paddling pool water, then rinse and dry off!!!!

Twice a year is all we can manage (if that) - cos he does a runner round the garden after the first time cos he knows whats coming! It's a game to him then - lol - I usually end up wetter than him!!!!

He stays very clean tho amazingly - considering his coat length (inbetween being tidied up!). :o)

[mirela]

cheers alfie, i wrote the name down and will search in supermarket.
btw, the brand of shampoo vet recommended called sebocalm, anyone heard of it?

my pup loves shower, each time when i turn the tap on, she jumped into the bath, sit there quietly. very cute lol

[spaudi]

Hi mirela
Don�know if this will help, but ..............
My lab / alsation cross loves going in our pool, and it�s so hot here in Spain that it would be cruel to stop him.
Unfortunately he turned a sort of funky bronze tinted colour and started to smell like a dead pig! A more well travelled friend said it reminded him of a wrestler�s jock strap!!
One of our neighbours had a visitor who was researchig food additives to improve smelly dogs, and explained that increasing fish oil intake had been promising - and it worked. Once a week we give him a small tin of tuna in olive oil (he is a big dog so a full tin is no trouble to him), and now restrict him to three swims per week, followed by a wash in a decent ( but cheap) dog shampoo recommended by the vet.
He is now as happy as Larry - whoever Larry is - with a lovely shiny coat, and he smells fine.
The only downside is that he is a far better swimmer than me, and keeps rescuing us from the pool!
Pity you don�t have low charges over there like our vets, who are excellent and very caring.
Good luck with the treatment