Guide to Shampooing and Ear Care for Your Pet

Category: Cat Care, Dog Care, Pet Health | Tags: Tags: cat bath, dog bath, ear care for cats, ear care for dogs, ear care for pets, pet bath, shampoo for cat, shampoo for dog, shampoo for pet

Date: February 8th, 2011

Choosing a shampoo is as important as choosing the proper food for your pet.  Your pet’s vet can help you select the best shampoo.  Some are for routined use, while others are medicated for specific purposes.

Do not use a human shampoo on your dogs and cats.  Your pet’s skin is quite different from your own skin.  A common belief is that shampooing your pet is harmful to the skin and hair.  Not true.  But using the wrong shampoo can be harmful.

Reminders:

1- Use extra caution when bathing puppies and cats (however cats do not need to be bathed, just brushed regularly, unless of course there is something on their fur that is toxic and needs to come off).  Also exercise caution on wet surfaces.

2- Clip and remove hair mats.

3- Bath time is a good time for doing pedicures.

4- Eye protection may be needed – ask your vet.

8 Tips On Bathing Your Pet:

1- Using lukewarm water rinse your pet well (hand held showerheads are ideal).

2- Apply sufficient amount of shampoo to the top of the neck and along the back of the pet (not the face).

3- SPECIAL AREAS: Tee face should be washed with a soapy washcloth to avoid getting soap in the eyes and ears.

4- Work shampoo into a rich lather adding more lukewarm water, if necessary.

5- Rinse shampoo thoroughly from pet until water runs clear.

6- Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4.

7- Allow shampoo to sit 5 – 10 minutes.

8- Again, rinse shampoo thoroughly from pet until water runs clear of any shampoo.

Tips on Cleaning Ears

Always have your vet examine your pet’s ears before cleaning, and discuss cleaning with your vet.

Clean the ear with a ceruminolytic (de-waxing agent).  Fill the ear canal with the de-waxer and massage the solution into the ear (from the outside).  Wipe the ear with gauze or cotton swab.  This will remove all of the wax build up in the ear.  NEVER use a cotton tipped applicator.

Clean the ear with an ear cleanser.  Following the same procedure as the de-waxing agent.  Repeat the procedure, until all dirt and debris is removed.

Speak to your vet about the best shampoo, ear cleaners and de-waxing agent for your pets!