Home care tips

How often should I bathe my dog?

Especially in the fall and winter months, which are the peak season for rough weather and dirty paws, fur and whiskers – it can be difficult to decide how often your dog should be washed!

When your dog should be bathed varies depending on their breed, coat and hair. A good rule of thumb is to only bathe your dog when necessary. Bathing your dog too often can lead to dry and irritated skin.

It is important to use products adapted to the breed, coat and needs. That way you have the best conditions to maintain healthy moisture in the skin, which stimulates healthy hair/coat growth. Many people wonder if you can use regular, mild soap for your dog, but we advise against it. This is because humans and dogs do not have the same PH value in their skin.

Comb the coat well before bathing, to avoid the coat tangling and any tangles becoming even more matted – this can be both painful for the dog and challenging to remove. Also make sure the dog is standing steady, e.g. on a slippery mat or wet towel. Wash thoroughly twice, then apply conditioner, rinse and dry well with a towel. Use a blower to dry the dog. Comb carefully at the same time, this way you separate the hairs, the coat dries faster and the coat stays tangle-free for longer.

 

Paw care

A dog's paws are exposed to daily wear and tear such as gravel, salt, asphalt, dirt and much more.

Therefore, it is important that you help your four-legged friend keep their paws and foot pads clean, moist and elastic.

If the pads become dry and cracked, it can be very painful for your dog to step on their paws, and in the worst case scenario, an infection can develop that needs to be treated by a veterinarian.

If you have a small puppy at home, we recommend being extra careful as developing puppy paws will be more vulnerable to damage and wear.

Take care of your dog's paws with paw ointment! Paw ointment adds moisture and softens, while protecting against dry and cracked paws and muzzles! The ointment works by forming a protective barrier around the pads (the soles of the dog's feet). This barrier prevents ice and salt from penetrating and damaging the paws. Paw ointment also protects against hot asphalt in the summer.

Dental care

Tartar occurs in a wide variety of ways, depending on diet and dental care. Some breeds are also more prone to poor dental health than others.

Your mouth and teeth should be checked regularly to ensure good dental hygiene. By brushing your teeth regularly, you prevent the formation of tartar. If it is difficult to brush your teeth with a regular toothbrush, you can use a finger toothbrush or dental wipes.

Dental scrapers can be used to remove tartar, it is important to seek advice and guidance from a veterinarian before use.

Ear and eye care

Ears and eyes are the dog's most important sensory organs and are largely self-cleaning, but occasionally products for care and maintenance may be necessary.

The ears should be checked regularly, but unless you see actual signs of dirt and earwax, a bad and abnormal odor, you should not disturb the ears unnecessarily as they are quite sensitive.

Eyes do not generally require regular care. However, it is important to note that some breeds, especially those with protruding eyes and heavy fur growth around the eyes, will require regular care and trimming. Mild irritation may occur in most and can be easily treated with gentle cleansers.

If your dog shows signs of discomfort, irritation or if you suspect illness, we always recommend that you contact your veterinarian for examination and proper treatment. Especially in the case of the eyes, we recommend that you

How often and how far down should I trim the claws?

Your dog's claws grow continuously and therefore need to be trimmed regularly. Also remember the tracks!

The claw consists of a claw capsule that surrounds the pulp, which consists of nerves and blood vessels. If you wait too long to trim the claws and/or trim too far down, you may hit the living tissue, which will be very painful for the dog. Therefore, we recommend trimming a little, but often!

• Breeds with overcoat and undercoat
  Ex: Golden Retriever, Border Collie, German Shepard, Husky
  
  
• These breeds generally require some maintenance. In general, they should be brushed every other day to prevent the accumulation of dead undercoat and tangles with an undercoat comb and card. Bathe only when necessary (when the dog is visibly dirty). Dry gently with a towel, avoiding violent, circular movements that can create tangles and mats.
  
  
• Breeds with long, smooth fur/hair
  Ex: Shitzu, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Terrier, Schnauzer, Spaniel, English Sheepdog
  
  
  • These breeds generally require a lot of maintenance and should be brushed with a card and metal comb daily to keep the coat healthy, beautiful and tangle-free! An extra tip is to focus a little extra on areas such as ears, legs, tail and the areas where the collar and/or harness are located. Bathe only when necessary (When the dog is visibly dirty). Dry gently with a towel, avoiding violent, circular movements that can create tangles and mats.
    
    
• Breeds with short, smooth fur
  Ex: Jack Russell, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, French Bulldog, Pug
  
  
  • These breeds are generally easy to maintain, but they do shed a lot, so you can expect some hair here and there. Should be brushed weekly with a rubber brush and comb, or more frequently if necessary to remove loose hair. Bathe only when necessary (when the dog is visibly dirty). Dry gently with a towel.
    
    
    
• Wire-haired breeds
  Ex: Border Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Norwich Terrier
  
  
  • These breeds generally require little maintenance, as the wire-haired coat does not tangle/matt easily. Should be brushed weekly with a comb and metal comb. Regular grooming is necessary to remove dead hair. The coat should be trimmed/plucked monthly. Bathe only when necessary (when the dog is visibly dirty). Dry gently with a towel.
    
    
    
• Breeds with curly/woolly fur
  Ex: Poodle (all), Bichon Frize (all), Cockapoo, Cavapoo, Cavason

• Breeds with curly and woolly coats generally require a lot of maintenance, because the coat is often very thick and tangles/mattles very easily. Should be brushed daily with a card and metal comb. An additional tip is to focus extra on the areas, ears, legs, neck and areas where the collar and/or harness are located. Bathe only when necessary (When the dog is visibly dirty). Dry gently with a towel, avoid violent, circular movements that can create tangles and mats.

How often should I groom my dog?

How often your dog should be groomed depends on a number of factors, including breed, brushing and washing routine, coat/hair length, general health, and environmental factors. Some breeds also generally require more grooming than others. Take a look at our breed-specific grooming guide below for an indication of when and how often your dog needs a trip to the salon:

Grooming your pet regularly is essential for their overall health and well-being. Regular grooming sessions can help keep your dog's coat clean and tangle-free.

Recommended time guide for professional dog grooming

If you can't find your breed, please contact us and we will help you with the details!