Note: Make sure you use a properly furmulated (sorry, formulated :)) product. Dogs and cats have a different skin ph than humans do. Therefore baby shampoo or any other shampoo formulated for humans is likely to dry out your dog’s skin and can cause itchy skin or other problems.
With Mila I have been using this brand for a long time now, the products are great:
Nature’s Specialties Pet Shampoo & Conditioner
This brand is often used by groomers. The products are based on natural ingredients, last very long, smell very good, but are not overly scented and they are “cruelty free”.
They even have formulas for dogs with sensitive skin and for different coats.
Visit the manufacturer’s website.
Ear Cleaning
The ears of your dog should also be checked and cleaned frequently. Even more important, if your dog has floppy ears. To clean them you can use a mild cleanser and a cotton ball. Soak the cotton ball or apply the cleanser directly into the ear canal – depending on the directions on the bottle and the preferences of your dog. Mila hates fluids in her ear and only tolerates wet cotton balls. Only clean the parts of the ear canal your can easily reach with your fingers. Do not use any tools to reach deeper into the ear or Q-tips (cotton swabs), because that may inadvertently hurt the ear drum. If your dog shakes his head after the cleaning, that’s ok. The rest of the fluids will be removed this way. Dry the ear afterwards.
If you notice any very unpleasant smells or brown/black speckles/ discharge, bring that up at your next vet visit. It could mean there’s something going on. Usually the earwax of a dog is rather light, not extremely brown or black.
There are a lot of different cleaners on the market. This is one I have tried.
[…] Different breeds come with different grooming needs. However, there are some things most dogs have in common, such as bathing, nail clipping and dental care. Read more about dog grooming and general body care in this essay. […]