More and more people are keeping dogs not for hunting, herding or guarding, but as companions that they consider members of the family.
This attitude has many advantages, but the problem is that people often forget: a dog is not a person, even if it is a member of the family.
Therefore, it is necessary to treat and care for the animal differently. For example, many owners often bathe their pets, thereby causing them great harm.
Why is bathing a dog dangerous?
In nature, there are no shampoos, soaps, sprays or shower gels. All animals on the planet do without these accessories and feel great. Dogs, cats and other animals have a "self-cleaning system" provided by nature.
In simple terms, their fur and skin have a protective layer, thanks to which even heavy dirt does not stay for long. If a dog rolls in a puddle, then after a while the dirt will dry and fall off, and the dog will be clean and beautiful again.
With frequent washing with special detergents, the protective layer is damaged and is poorly restored, since the body's natural processes are disrupted.
The paradox is that the more often you wash a dog, the dirtier it becomes. There is no need to compare an animal with a person. In humans, thermoregulation occurs through sweating throughout the body, and dirt does not settle on the fur. Therefore, man had to invent soap.
In addition, chemicals contained in shampoos can cause allergies in animals. Even expensive special shampoos are not safe.
But the biggest danger lies in the fact that when washing, the coat gets completely wet. Most dogs also have protection against getting wet. In the rain, only the top layer of their coat gets wet, but during bathing, the undercoat gets wet. And the dog can catch a cold. If the undercoat is thick, it will dry for a day. But the dog will not be able to do without a walk for a day. As a result, the pet gets a cold, the consequences of which can be disastrous.
When to wash your dog
Of course, it is important to take into account the fact that modern pets live in the same house with humans, so they still need to be washed from time to time. As a preventive measure, one wash per year with a good shampoo designed specifically for dogs is enough.
There are several reasons why you may bathe your dog more often.
1. The animal is really very dirty and smells bad.
2. It is necessary to get rid of parasites using a special shampoo.
3. As recommended by a veterinarian.
Remember: if the dog is constantly dirty, it means that its self-cleaning function is impaired. The problem can arise for various reasons, for example, due to poor care, poor-quality food, illnesses. In this case, you should not wash it more often, but go to the vet and eliminate the cause.
It should also be remembered that some decorative breeds require special care of their fur and more frequent washing.
