The Dreaded Bath
The Dreaded Bath
Giving a dog a bath can be fun or it can be a terror. Puppies either love or hate the water. There is no middle ground. When giving a puppy a bath, consider two things. Do you know how and how many times a month should it be done? Bathing the animal too much will strip away essential oils needed to keep the coat shiny.
Gather all your supplies before starting. You don't want a wet dog running behind you through the house. You will need tearless shampoo, towels, and possibly a comb if your pup is a long hair breed.
Begin bathing when the dog is young and has time to acclimate to the water. Place puppy in sink or a tub and reward him with praise for staying still. Give him a treat or scratch to reinforce good behavior.
Use only lukewarm or tepid water and never put soap in his eyes or ears. Take some water in your hands and pat their heads and noses gently. Make sure the head area is washed last to minimize the urge to shake. Rinse well because leftover soap can cause itching and flaky skin.
Pet odors are caused by a number of things. Soiled fur on long haired dogs gets matted and traps dirt. An ear infection can cause odor as well. Make sure to check the dog's ears during bathtime. Dental problems can be quite a problem. Check teeth at every bath and look for swollen gums or missing teeth. Call your vet if you see something suspicious and have it checked.
Nail clipping should follow a bath unless you get a groomer to handle it. Massage the paws and praise puppy for staying still. Gently squeeze his paw to extend the nail. Differentiate between the nail and the quick. If you cut too far down, the quick will start bleeding. If you are unsure, have a professional show you how to clip the nails without hurting the animal.
Puppies
Travel & Holidays With Your Puppy
Puppies
... have the highest water content. These also contain less nutrition, so you may need to feed your dog more than usual to equal out the nutrition they may need. Look at the levels of vitamins and crude materials on the label. Is there enough fat, protein, calories and other nutrients? Is the food tasty and ...
... will be able to give the puppies the time they require. You will have to bottle feed or tube feed. Bottle feeding is better for most people, because the tube could be passed into the lungs and choke the pup. Feed the pup while on its belly not on its back. Puppy formulas are available and are nutritionally ...
... milk. This nourishing fluid contains antibodies and special vitamins that help protect the newborn pup from sickness. Make sure all the puppies are able to latch on and get the colostrum. Some of the bigger puppies will push off the smaller ones. After each pup is born, look for any problems that may ...
... animal will have to hospitalized. Roundworms can be a problem because most puppies are born with them. The larvae are transmitted from the Mom to the fetus. They are easily transmitted to humans in the dog's stool. They can be ingested if your dog eats another animal's stool. Wash your hands frequently ...
... give any shots that are needed. When you go to the visit, bring along any medical records you may have. You need a copy of all the medicines the puppy takes and information about his mother and father. If you get obtain a fresh stool sample, take it with you as well. Make sure the vet answers all your ...
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