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August 5th
Labs like water more than other dog breeds, and some may even get excited when it’s bath time. But too much bathing can do a lot of damage to your Lab’s coat, stripping it of protective oils.
Fortunately, there are quite a few ways that you can keep your Lab’s coat clean without having to put them in the bath.
Brushing is the most important part of any Lab’s regular grooming routine. It can help prevent mattes and tangles from forming in their coat, as well as get out any dirt or pollen in their fur.
Brushing is even more important during the spring, when Labs will begin to shed their fur to prevent overheating during the summer. All of this excess fur can get tangled in their coat, as well as make a mess around your house.
Try to brush a few times per week throughout the year, and once a day during shedding season.
There are other ways of washing your Lab’s fur that don’t involve baths. One good way is to use dry shampoo. This won’t fully remove dirt, but it’s a decent way of getting rid of that wet dog smell.
Although dry shampoos can be useful, try not to go too overboard with them. If used too often, they can dry out and damage your Lab’s coat.
One of the best ways to keep your Lab clean is to take preventative measures. Keep them from getting dirty in the first place by keeping them indoors whenever it rains.
Also try to keep them away from any muddy areas in your yard. If you can’t fence off the area, you can you an invisible fence, or keep them on a leash when you take them outside.
You should also keep your Lab’s bedding clean. Fur, dust, and dirt can pile up quickly, so try to wash off their bedding every few weeks. If you keep them in a crate, make sure that you also wash this out regularly.
Many dog owners overlook oral health, forgetting to keep their dog’s teeth and gums clean. Bad oral health can lead to a lot worse than doggie breath, including rotten teeth and gum disease.
Although you don’t need to brush your Lab’s teeth twice a day, you should regularly brush their teeth with a toothpaste made for dogs.
You can also find a number of treats that will help clean your dog’s teeth as they chew. Although these are a great way of helping prevent bad breath, you should still brush their teeth as well
Labs big, floppy ears are one of their most adorable features. But they also make a great home for a wide range of bacteria. These can cause serious infections if you don’t regularly clean their ears.
You can use baby oil to gently wipe out the inside of their ears. Just make sure not to get the oil into the ear canal.
There are also a number of products that are specially designed to clean out dog ears. You can speak to your vet about the products they recommend.
If you notice that your Lab is scratching their ears, this could be a sign that they have an infection. Although you can wait and see if the infection goes away on its own, the safest thing to do is to take them to the vet to get it checked out
Pet wipes are one of the best ways of keeping your Lab clean without having to give them a bath. They are cheap and can be found at most stores, and are also easy to carry around with you.
Avoid products that have any harsh additives, and always keep the wipes away from your Lab’s eyes. Although effective, pet wipes may not be the best choice if your dog has a seriously dirty, muddy coat
If you don’t want to do the cleaning yourself, you can always take your Lab to a professional groomer. Although this can be expensive, it’s a good way of getting your Lab’s coat clean and shiny.
You can also find a number of groomers that will come directly to you, saving you the trouble of having to load your dog into the car.
Now that we’ve gone over some ways to clean your Lab without giving them a bath, here are a few things you should not do.
Labs have a beautiful double layer coat that helps them stay warm in the winter and cool during the hot summer months. But many owners get frustrated when their Lab begins to shed, and some decide to shave off their coat.
If your Lab has a really dirty coat, you should avoid the temptation to shave it. Shaving can be hard on a Lab, disrupting their natural shedding cycle. It also makes them much more likely to get sunburnt.
Although many human beauty products will be safe for dogs, some won’t. Play it safe and only use products that are designed specifically with dogs in mind. Also check any products to make sure they don’t have any harsh artificial ingredients that could damage your Lab’s coat.
A Lab is the perfect addition to any family. If you’re looking for your dream Lab, head over to our puppy finder.
At Uptown Puppies, we connect you to some of the best Lab breeders and companies in the business. We only work with people who are committed to raising their dogs the right way. That means you’ll never get a dog from a puppy mill or from a backyard breeder.
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