Another Hydrobath Question ....

[Crits'N'Bits]

my dogs are being hydrobathed and blow dried every week

i was using a flea shampoo for every wash - but noticed that their skin was starting to get a bit flakey - so now using a gentle shampoo one week and the flea shampoo the next week

am i doing them to often?

[Nevafollo]

hmmm are you making sure u rinse them really well???

we wash a few dogs weekly and some twice weekly and they have never had flakey skin

[Tapferhund]

I know this has been discussed before and many will not agree but weekly bathing is WAY TOO MUCH so no wonder their skin is drying out and becoming flakey.

A bath once every couple of months with good grooming in between to keep the coat clean....should be ample IMO.

[Clyde]

I agree, it is too much. However I groom dogs weekly and also wash mine weekly.

Does the flea shampoo have soap in it? Chances are it's not really doing much anyway, flea shampoo is not usually effective. Seeing as you are washing so often you should use a leave in treatment or similar. I use Aloveen Leave in conditioner to help moisturise the skin and coat... it works a treat! Personally I would be looking at a more effective means of flea control and wash your dog less especially if you are using inferior quality products. I've found Aloveen shampoo a good product if you are washing so often.

ETA: the best skin and the least stinky dogs are the ones I get in only a few times a year for their bath. I personally couldnt do it, lol, but it's clearly saying something!

Edited March 3, 2008 by Clyde

[bommy]

Is it scurf? that you are seeing or large bits of skin? If its scurf it mat even be a case of unbalanced omega's in their diet, try mitavite (omega 3,6 & 9) and maybe some Apple Cider Vinegar in the drinking water/meals.

[Rysup]

Why are you washing them every week?

If I am showing every weekend, then yes they get a bath, but I dont use anything harsh. And when there are no shows, no baths unless they get particularly stinky.

[espinay2]

If I am bathing weekly (for shows etc) I use a gentle soap free wash and make sure to moisturise the coat etc as well (love the Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil which I use as a leave-in rinse). Something like the Plush Puppy hydrobath wash or the Fidos herbal rinse is good. I personally wouldn't be using something like a flea shampoo that often.

[Doggrooma]

Depending on the product its better to wash twice a week. Its not too much!! I use Groomers Evening Primrose Oil Shampoo (twice a week if you can) as the directions say. I also have my boy on the EPO Food Suppliment (ive tried all sorts of suppliments this is far superior) as well, these combined WILL fix the problem, once under control you can back off on the baths a little, it may be the time of year causing it, for me it has been worse over summer. Oh dont run it thru your Hydrbath use it the ol' fashoned way, its more effective.

[Crits'N'Bits]

thanks for your advice guys

reason they are washed on a weekly basis is that I use them in my therapy sessions and they need to be really clean and smelling lovely - or it can have the opposite effect to what we are trying to achieve. So far I have been getting some great responses from my clients.

Will try some better quality shampoo - although the one I am using was recommended by the vet and is good quality.

[Clyde]

thanks for your advice guys

reason they are washed on a weekly basis is that I use them in my therapy sessions and they need to be really clean and smelling lovely - or it can have the opposite effect to what we are trying to achieve. So far I have been getting some great responses from my clients.

Will try some better quality shampoo - although the one I am using was recommended by the vet and is good quality.

The reason I wash mine so often is simply b/c I like them squeaky clean Especially my boy, his wees on his front legs, kicks up his own poo and rubs his face in manure. Plus it's a chance to do a tick rinse and go over them extra thoroughly.

Try the Aloveen Shampoo and Leave in Hannah, it's great stuff, very gentle and smells divine!!! YOu can buy it cheaper online.

[rudie]

I have to bathe and blowdry my Afghan every week for shows and to prevent knots!

As she is done so sften she is basically clean so i just dilute a small amount of shampoo and run it through the hydrobath followed by a rinse through of conditioner.

If she gets a bit dry I do a 'leave on' rinse at the end with a very small and dialuted amount of Alpha kerri oil.

Edited March 5, 2008 by rudie

[oakway]

My dogs can be bathed twice a week if we have been showing on red soil. Bathed Friday night and shown and then have to be bathed Saturday night to be shown Sunday. Lots of owners have to do this. I can assure that we don't have any problems with them being flakey. I would change to a top quality shampoo and conditioner. I would also do the last rinse with clean warm water.

[lucknow]

thanks for your advice guys

reason they are washed on a weekly basis is that I use them in my therapy sessions and they need to be really clean and smelling lovely - or it can have the opposite effect to what we are trying to achieve. So far I have been getting some great responses from my clients.

Will try some better quality shampoo - although the one I am using was recommended by the vet and is good quality.

I often recommend to keep dogs 'cuddling fresh', rinse in water and then use the Aloveen Conditioner - dogs smells great and no oils stripped from the skin. It works better for my ferrets than the so called specialised shampoos and suits their very sensitive skin.