| Keeping your dog clean is an important responsibility | | | | Ticks are nasty little arachnids (they're eight-legged |
| for every dog owner. Fido depends on you for general | | | | creatures like spiders, and therefore are not insects) |
| hygiene. Clean ears, teeth and a coat free from fleas | | | | that will latch onto your dog's skin and feed on his |
| and ticks are all the conditions you check for a healthy | | | | blood supply. They are most common in wooded |
| pet. Bath time is a great time to bond with your dog as | | | | areas, but your dog should be checked for them |
| well as check his well-being. | | | | regularly because they can carry a number of |
| A healthy dogs actually don't need to be washed all | | | | diseases. The best place to look for these bugs in |
| that often, but humans prefer to bathe them so that | | | | under the collar or on the dog's underbelly, buried in the |
| they smell fresh and clean and not like...well...dog. | | | | fur. If you find a tick, be sure to use tweezers and |
| Although most dogs don't like to be washed, they will | | | | remove the tick by its head. |
| appreciate the contact and attention that they receive | | | | Fleas can be found in the same places, under the fur. |
| from their owners during a bath. It is also a good time | | | | The presence of fleas can be betrayed by the sight |
| to perform some other necessary "dog maintenance" | | | | of their droppings on the dog's coat. They look like |
| such as cleaning the ears, checking for ticks and fleas, | | | | flecks of pepper. The fleas themselves can vary in |
| and brushing the teeth. Since many dogs do not like to | | | | size, from tiny infants to larger adults, which are about |
| sit still for any of these activities, it can be a good idea | | | | an eighth of an inch long. They can't simply be picked |
| to do them all at once. | | | | off the dog like ticks can, they will jump before you |
| Brushing your Dogs' Teeth | | | | can catch them. If you do find a flea or their droppings, |
| Brushing your dogs' teeth is just good dental hygiene. | | | | you know it's time to start the dog on a program to |
| Most vets recommend that it be done at least twice a | | | | control and eliminate these pests. |
| week to ensure your dog maintains healthy teeth and | | | | Cleaning his Ears |
| gums. If you've have been doing this, it's never too late | | | | Pet supply stores sell special solutions for cleansing a |
| to start. The dog should have its own toothbrush and | | | | dog's ears. Dogs can easily get ear mites. These small |
| special toothpaste designed for dogs. You pick up | | | | insects live in the ears and feed of the waxy |
| everything you need at your favorite pet supply store. | | | | secretions there. Over time, the bodies of these |
| Make sure you brush the back teeth in small circles, | | | | short-lived creatures build up and form a black, dirty |
| the same way you would your own, and brush up and | | | | substance. Using a cotton swab dipped in a bit of this |
| down the length of the "pointy" canine teeth. Dog | | | | solution, gently clean the inner ear. It may be difficult to |
| toothpaste is made to have a pleasing taste, to dogs | | | | hold the dog still for this procedure, but it doesn't take |
| that is, and this should help make your dog willing to let | | | | long. The result will be clean ears and the avoidance of |
| you perform this activity. If you cannot brush his teeth, | | | | potential infection and earaches for your dog. |
| the next best thing would be to give him teeth cleaning | | | | So you see, the quality time you spend bathing your |
| dog biscuits but brushing is definitely preferred. | | | | dog will not only make him smell great to you but it will |
| Checking for Ticks & Fleas | | | | make him FEEL great. |