Guidelines on How to Choose the Best Dog Shampoo

Lots of choices in dog shampoo! There are almost as many kinds of shampoo for dogs as for people, but that doesn't mean you should wash your dog with the salon shampoo in your shower. In fact, using shampoo made for human hair can irritate your dog's skin. A little bit of research for dog shampoos and you'll quickly sort out how best to shampoo away rover's aroma and leave his coat shiny too.

Features to Consider in Dog Shampoo

Quality

Ingredients

Efficacy

Scent

Reason for Use

So how do you choose which dog shampoo is right for Rover? Since a bottle of dog shampoo is likely to last you several months if not longer, focus more on your needs than the price. Look at the ingredients first. Good dog shampoos have ingredients that hold moisture to the skin and are often natural. If you have a lap dog, make sure you're going to enjoy the scent as well. You may even want to try out several brands in order to decide what shampoo works best on your dog and for you.

Desirable Features of Dog Shampoo

Easy to use

Works well

Lathers well

Rinses well

Tearless

Shiny coat

Dog shampoo is designed to cleanse away the dirt and excess oils, working exactly the way human shampoo does. The difference between the two is that dog shampoo should have lower pH levels more suited to canines and a non-tearing formula in case a little shampoo should get in your dog's eyes. Dog shampoo should also produce fewer suds for quicker rinsing, not to mention deodorize as well as leave your dog's coat shiny. If you're just looking for a cleaner pooch, a standard dog shampoo will get you what you need. Dog shampoos are sometimes formulated for normal, dry and oily skin and you can choose the shampoo that will work best on your dog's coat. You can also select a dog shampoo for more specific needs.

If you're looking for something to treat a skin condition, there are dog shampoos that help with this as well. Medicated shampoo is available by prescription if the condition is severe. Dog shampoo for a less serious problem is available at most pet supply stores and can help with irritated skin as well as a clean shiny coat.

Flea and tick shampoo contains chemicals that kill fleas and ticks but are harmless to your dog as long as you don't get shampoo in your dog's eyes or mouth. Pyrethrins are usually the best pesticide ingredient to look for in a flea and tick shampoo. Check with your veterinarian prior to using pyrethrins to ensure they are safe for your pet. Some flea chemicals can interact with each other and cause toxicity. Also, carefully follow label directions on any flea and tick products and ensure you use it only if appropriate to the species, age and weight of your pet. Also, ensure that you rinse all flea and tick chemicals well to prevent ingestion by grooming after the bath.

There are also dog shampoos that are designed to make your canine shine at the dog park or in the show ring. Colored shampoo is used to boost natural color and whitening shampoo brightens white coats. The ideal choice of dog shampoo is of course, what works for you and leaves your dog smelling clean and looking great.

Ideal Choice of Dog Shampoo

So how do you choose which dog shampoo is right for rover? Since a bottle of dog shampoo is likely to last you several months if not longer, focus more on your needs than the price. Look at the ingredients first. Good dog shampoos have ingredients that hold moisture to the skin and are often natural. If you have a lap dog, make sure you're going to enjoy the scent as well. You may even want to try out several brands in order to decide what shampoo works best on your dog and for you.

Safety and Buying Tips for Dog Shampoo

Be sure to look at the ingredients of your dog shampoo and check for anything that might irritate your dog. Heavy scents and some flea and tick shampoo may irritate the skin. Follow the directions on the bottle and always keep even tearless shampoos out of your dog's eyes.. Remember to dry the ear canals after bathing! You should take care to store shampoo out of the reach of children and pets. So find the dog shampoo that's right for you and your dog and enjoy your sweet smelling pooch!

Source: http://www.petproductadvisor.com/buyers-guide/dog-shampoo-how-to-choose-the-best-dog-shampoo/146/page1.aspx

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Cleaning Your Dog’s Teeth

Providing good oral care for our canine family members can actually extend their lives by as much as three to five years. In order to successfully clean your dog’s teeth, you must get your dog used to having its mouth handled by lifting its lips and examining the teeth. Do this 2-3 times per week, and each time, give your pet a small treat and lots of praise after you have finished. Your dog will be more comfortable with the teeth cleaning process when it knows there will be a treat when it's over.

Introduce toothbrushing slowly to gradually accustom your dog to having you handle its mouth.

You'll need a dog toothbrush (a wash cloth or gauze pad wrapped around your finger also works well), and toothpaste specially formulated for animal use. Dogs cannot spit, and human toothpaste is not safe to swallow in large quantities. Your dog will most likely swallow whatever you use to clean its teeth with, so it is important to buy toothpaste that has been formulated specifically for dogs. A good alternative for cleaning your dog’s teeth is a solution of vitamin C and water in a ratio of half teaspoon of vitamin C to a cup of water.

Position yourself on the floor, with your dog in front of you. With smaller breeds or puppies, you can hold the dog in your lap. It may be necessary to start with gauze and work up to the toothbrush. Lift your dog's upper lip and clean your dog’s teeth in a circular motion, making sure to brush at the base of each tooth where it meets the gum line. The toothbrush bristles should be angled at 45-degrees to the tooth surface. Also, make sure to clean your dog’s back molar teeth, which are more likely than the front teeth to develop problems. Gently force the bristles into the area around the base of the tooth and the spaces between the teeth with about ten short back and forth strokes, focusing on the outside of the upper teeth.

Do only one or two teeth the first few times. As your dog becomes comfortable with teeth cleaning, brush more teeth in each session. Clean your dog’s teeth twice a week. Always give your dog a small treat after each session.

Hard bones are the primary cause of your dog’s teeth breaking; knuckle bones are soft.

Giving bones to your pet to chew on is an effective method for keeping tarter from accumulating and aids in keeping your dog’s teeth clean. Raw knuckle bones (the joints), from your local butcher or meat counter at the supermarket, are great because they are soft and allow your dog to scrape its teeth into the bone, nicely cleaning food and tartar from teeth. These bones still have some tendons and muscle meat. They will clean your dog’s teeth and provide a nice oral workout as well as a healthy amount of natural calcium. Your dog will enjoy a good knuckle bone. It will be content and relaxed while chewing, and a little sleepy afterwards. Keep your dog on a towel that is easily washed.

Cooked bones can splinter and cause mouth injury as well as intestinal problems.

Supervise your dog to prevent it from swallowing a large piece of bone, which may cause choking or digestive problems. Give your dog bones that are too large to swallow and NOT cooked. Do NOT give unthawed frozen bones to avoid the possible breaking of teeth. Raw carrots are a good substitute for cleaning your dog’s teeth.

Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/1014011/Cleaning-Your-Dogs-Teeth