Tip of the Week - Cleaning Your Dog

Cleaning Your Dog:

Keeping your dog clean is important. If you've adopted an adult or older dog who isn't used to being groomed, start by gently handling her legs, feet, mouth, ears, and head several times a day for a few weeks. Most dogs will come around to this kind of handling once they get used to it.

To ensure your dog’s health, we suggest you take the following precautions to avoid bigger and more costly problems down the road:

• Gently brush your dog on a regular basis;
• Wash your dog with a flea and tick shampoo on a regular basis;
• Check your dog’s eyes and gently remove any discharge. To clean your dog's eyes, simply moisten a cotton ball or washcloth with warm water and gently remove any discharge. A moistened baby toothbrush is gentle enough to remove dried debris from the hair near the eyes. If you notice a lot of discharge or if it's thick and greenish or yellowish, call your veterinarian. These signs could indicate an eye irritation, known as conjunctivitis, or an infection;
• Check your dog's ears once a week. If they look dirty, moisten several cotton balls with mineral oil, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. Lift each earflap and wipe the skin folds and any visible parts of the ear. Never insert anything into the ear canal. If your dog's ears smell bad or ooze thick, dark brown, or yellow-green discharge, she could have an ear infection. Call your veterinarian if you see any of this yucky stuff.