Green Dog Grooming

 

Consumers have begun to embrace the trend to buy organic foods and environmentally friendly products to use around the home. Don’t overlook your pet when considering natural solutions: Did you know you can now have a ‘Green’ dog?

It’s time to consider green choices for your dog’s grooming requirements. Let’s take a look at a few you can make yourself at home.

 

Shampoo

There are natural dog shampoos available on the market, but it’s just as easy to make your own:

· 1 cup all-natural dish detergent · 1 cup organic cider vinegar                                        · 1/3 cup glycerin · 1 quart water

Mix together and pour into a bottle – a used (clean) dishwashing liquid bottle or clean human shampoo bottle works well. Shampoo is easier to apply if it squirts out of the bottle directly onto the coat.

Flea shampoo

• 8 oz all-natural dog shampoo
• 10 drops of tee tree oil (also known as melaleuca oil)
• 1 tbsp Aloe Vera

Mix together in a dishwashing liquid bottle and apply generously. Leave on for a minute or two and rinse. Use an apple cider vinegar rinse to remove any residue: 1 tblsp apple cider vinegar in a pint of water.

Toothpaste

It’s never too late to get in the habit of brushing your dog’s teeth. Your vet will examine your dog’s teeth as part of his yearly physical. He or she may recommend dentistry to remove plaque. Either way, it’s time to start incorporating teeth brushing into your dog’s grooming schedule.

· 6 tsp baking soda · 1/3 tsp salt · 4 tsp glycerin · 2 tsp organic beef broth (for flavoring)        Mix together to form a paste.

Ear cleanser

For general ear cleaning of a healthy ear (one that does not show signs of infection such as red skin, dark discharge or strong odor) use one of the solutions found on DockDogs.com.

Gently swab the ear flap and edge of the ear canal with a cotton ball saturated in solution. Do not use cotton swabs as they can damage the ear.

Coat care

 Does your dog have a ‘doggie smell’ but you don’t have time to bath him? Sprinkle his coat with baking soda and brush out completely.  · Improve a dry coat by treating from the inside out – add 1 tbsp of safflower or flaxseed oil and 1 tsp of brewer’s yeast to your dog’s food everyday.

Amazing apple cider vinegar!

Apple cider vinegar has natural anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties and works well as an ear wash (1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts water)

Hot spots can be soothed by soaking a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and dabbing a little on the area.

Want your dog’s coat to shine? After shampooing, rinse him with a solution of 2 cups of warm water and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Leave on the coat.

Note: some dogs with allergies are also yeast sensitive so don’t use apple cider vinegar if you know your dog is allergic to yeast.

Soothing Epsom

Many dogs now have allergies. Some skin allergies are caused by chemicals present in their environment or are a reaction to seasonal triggers such as hay fever. Itchy, dry skin can be soothed by adding 2 cups Epsom Salts and 1/2 cup baby oil to a warm (not hot) bath. Stand your dog in the tub and pour the bath water over him for about 10 minutes. Rinse with clean warm water.

Note: Discontinue the use of any product that causes irritation.