Outdoor adventures with your dog are fun for both of you, but they might leave him dirty, muddy, covered in grass, or worse, with ticks in his fur. He is dependent on you to clean him up and remove anything that could irritate or harm him afterwards.
If you are an active pair who loves the outdoors, the wide-open spaces, the park or the beach, your post-outing cleaning duties are important and necessary. He may not always be a dirty mess after the adventure, but he probably has debris or a few creepy crawlies on his skin and coat.
1. Inspection and mud removal
On your return from your outing, your first step should be a thorough check of your dog. You will know whether or not he needs a bath. If not, just wash his paws and rinse the mud off his fur and tail. You can brush the mud off his fur, but if it is hard and clumpy, it may be painful, so water remains the best removal option. Next is to inspect the extent of the debris that needs to be removed. If he needs a bath, it is best to remove grass – and especially burrs or seeds – beforehand if possible, since a bath might only get these more stuck.
2. Removing grass and burrs from fur
Removing grass, burrs, blackjacks, sweethearts and other seeds from his fur is best done by hand, and it could take a long time. Don’t try to brush these out, as it will be painful for your dog. Rather remove them one by one. Coconut oil is your ally and, if you rub some oil close to the skin, the hair should detangle, enabling you to remove the offending objects more easily.
3. Baths
You do not need to bath your dog after every outside experience, but sometimes it is necessary,
especially if he is covered in mud or is very dirty.
If your dog spends time in the ocean, you do not need to bath him after ever outing, but you should definitely rinse his coat, especially if he has long hair. It is safe for your dog to spend time splashing in the waves – saltwater is not bad for a dog’s skin. In moderation, it can actually hydrate and strengthen his skin, but the salt residue should not be left on his skin, undercoat and fur after his swim. If he is in the ocean every day, sea salt will start to build up and cause dry skin and flakiness. The salt residue will become an irritation, causing itching, and will dull his coat. Instead of a full shampooing, just rinse him with clean water after every visit to the beach to remove the salt build-up. This will also get rid of the beach sand. Be sure to rinse his tummy and armpits.
Alternating between bathing and rinsing is a good idea, as bathing your dog too often can cause dry, flaky skin, and overbathing will dull his coat.
If you have a healthy shorthaired dog, he will need less frequent baths than his longhaired counterparts.
4. Ticks and fleas
After a walk in the park or an area with long grass, you will have to check your dog for ticks and fleas. Be thorough and check absolutely everywhere, especially in and behind his ears, between his toes and in his armpits. You don’t want ticks or fleas to enter your home, as this could result in an infestation, not to mention the risk of tick bite fever or biliary, which affects both pets and people.
Remove ticks with a sterilised pair of tweezers by grabbing them as close to the skin as possible. Be sure to remove the whole thing, since any residue could cause an infection. Clean the area with a medical disinfectant or alcohol once you’ve removed the tick. The best way to dispose of these nasty little critters is to drop them in alcohol or flush them down the toilet. For tick and flea prevention, you can use one of the many product options available – from spot-ons, shampoos and powders to collars.
5. Preventing and treating fur stains
If your dog’s coat is white, and particularly if he has long hair, you may find that red mud stains it. You need to treat this as soon as possible to ensure that it does not become permanent. Options include applying vinegar, or a water and baking soda solution, to these stains and leaving it for a while to saturate through to the undercoat. Rinse him off thoroughly afterwards.
6. Beware of the undercoat
Some breeds have an undercoat. This is a secondary coat under the top coat that keeps the animal cool in summer and warm in winter. Not all breeds have undercoats, but usually animals who live in cooler conditions – such as the Chow Chow, Siberian Husky, Samoyed and German Shepherd Dog – do have them.
Dogs with undercoats tend to shed, so regular brushing is advised. Before you shave your dog, find out from a professional groomer if it is advisable to do so for your breed of dog.
7. Do your research
There is so much information available – we recommend that you reach out to reputable breeders, professional groomers or your vet to learn more about your dog’s unique coat.
