Dog Cleaning Tips

How to get nasty stuff off your canine, courtesy The Dog Owner’s Manual.

Whenever you locate foreign or unidentified substances on your dog’s coat, it is best to remove them immediately. Otherwise the dog may ingest them via licking, which may lead to malfunction.

Burrs: Most can be removed with careful use of a metal comb. Deeply entangled burrs can often be released by working vegetable oil into the affected area. If this method fails to work, carefully remove the burrs with scissors.

Chewing Gum: Apply ice to the gum to reduce its stickiness, then clip from fur. Alternatively, there are several commercial products that facilitate gum removal without haircutting.

Paint: If it is a water-based paint, soak the affected area in water for 5 minutes or longer until it becomes pliant. Then rub the affected fur between your fingers to remove the offending matter. Paints that aren’t water-based will require careful clipping and trimming. Never use paint thinner, turpentine, gasoline, or any other such solvents on your dog.

Skunk: If your dog is sprayed by a skunk, you can de-scent him with a thorough bath in tomato juice. Place the dog in a basin filled with tomato juice; allow the exterior coat to soak in the juice for several minutes, then rinse and repeat. The dog may require several baths (over several days) before the scent disappears.

Tar: In many cases the tar-coated hair will have to be clipped away. However, petroleum jelly can sometimes remove the substance. Rub some into a small portion of the affected area, then wipe away the broken-up tar with a clean cloth. Repeat as many times as necessary. Bathe the dog with a degreasing shampoo afterward.