We love this simple, natural DIY Dry Dog Shampoo
from Maggie Marton at Oh My Dog!
Sometimes my dogs smell. Like, really smell. But even if they stink (think: a long walk on a hot day, a dip in their kiddie pool, etc.) they’re not necessarily dirty, and I hate to over bathe them, especially the two bullys who have sensitive skin. So I’ve whipped up a quick and easy solution to get rid of the smell. Bonus: It’s non-toxic, eco-friendly, and super cheap.
There are two ways to do this: the easy way and the ridiculously easy way.
Let’s start with the easy way. First, gather up your supplies:
Fill your container with approximately ¼ cup of baking soda. Add a few drops of essential oil. Add another ¼ cup of baking soda and top off with a few more drops of oil. I like to add the oil in layers like this so that it gets dispersed evenly throughout. Stir it up, then put the lid on. And voilà! See? Easy! Now, for the ridiculously easy way: Open a box of baking soda. That’s it! If you’re not going to add oils, there’s no need to decant the powder into another container. Whether you mixed up your own concoction or plan to use it straight-up, the next step is to sprinkle the powder along your dog’s coat
Thoroughly rub it in. You want it to get through the fur and onto your dog’s skin. Let it sit for a minute or two – or five if your dog is really stinky. Then brush it all the way out of your pup’s coat.
To make sure that all the powder is gone, run your hand through your dog’s fur in the direction opposite growth. If you feel anything gritty, keep brushing.
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FRESH & CLEAN – KEEP YOUR DOG SMELLING GOOD!
Dog groomers use a variety of products to make your pooch smell clean and fresh. Groomers will work your animal from the paws up, which ensures that no part of the animal is left unclean. Learn a few tricks groomers use to keep your dog smelling fresh without having to bath her constantly or schedule lots of grooming appointments. Many of the steps taken to make your dog smell good have additional health benefits.
Dog groomers always use shampoo especially formulated for dogs, including those specifically designed to remove odors from the hair and skin. These shampoos go the extra step to eliminate odors with various odor-killing ingredients, while other shampoos simply shield odors for a limited period of time. If you are concerned about your dogs odor, ask a groomer to use an odor-killing shampoo. Dog shampoos may also enhance the shine of your dogs coat.
Groomers go beyond simply washing your pooch. They also clean out the ears and eyes and trim the nails. Cleaning ears and eyes can help reduce the overall foul odor coming off your canine, especially if the animal suffers from ear mites or other odor-causing bacteria. Groomers will use cotton swabs and cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol to remove gunk in the ears, as the alcohol kills bacteria. It also dries any water in your dogs ear should your dog like to swim. Cotton balls soaked in warm water remove eye gunk.
Another standard of dog grooming is brushing the teeth, which is necessary for dental health as well as to combat dog breath. While human toothpaste can cause stomach upset if ingested, dog toothpaste can be swallowed by dogs without any side effects. Brush dog teeth daily if possible to combat odor and keep your dogs teeth in good condition. Ask your local dog groomer for tips concerning the best-scented dog toothpaste.
Dog colognes and sprays are sometimes used to finish dog grooming sessions to keep your dog smelling fresh long after the grooming has been completed. “Chalk” finishing products are also available. Such products are recommended for use in between grooming sessions and during at-home baths to keep your pooch smelling wonderful. Some sprays may also work to remove debris caught in dog coats as well as mud from paws. Most should be left on after application — there is no need to rinse the dogs coat with water.
Kent Page McGroarty has worked as a writer since 2006, contributing numerous articles to various websites. She is a frequent contributor to the health and fitness sections of the online magazine EDGE Publications and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint Josephs University.