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Ask A San Francisco Bay Area Expert: 5 Tips For Giving Your Pet A Quality Bath

Mark Rogers (Courtesy of Mark Klaiman, Pet Camp)

Pet Camp was founded 18 years ago by Virginia Donohue, currently serving as the director of animal care and control for the City and County of San Francisco. Everybody involved with the dog campus for pet daycare and staycare (there's a Cat Safari as well, at 3233 Sacramento St.), knows the world is made up of two kinds of people -- dog lovers and everybody else.

Mark Klaiman
Senior Counselor
Pet Camp
525 Phelps Street
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 282-0700

At award-winning Pet Camp, the tagline says, "where pets do what pets love." Your dog is a camper at the main campus, located about 15 minutes north of San Francisco International Airport. Pop in on your way out of town, with the assurance you're both having a change of scenery. Klaiman fills us in on how the camp counselors manage all shapes and sizes, temperaments and personalities of the canine persuasion when it comes to bath time. Do it yourself at home or bring your pet in for a VIP treatment. Rule number one? "No rushing," advises Klaiman.

One Arms' Length

"Safety first," Klaiman begins with his top tips countdown. Decide where you're bathing the dog. Little ones might work well in a sink, larger dogs in the shower or bathtub. If you have the option, outdoors is always good -- as water will get everywhere, guaranteed. "Always have your dog within reach, never more than one arms' length away so you can safely hold an animal, who could get startled," Klaiman says. A non-slip bath mat is also a good idea.

Groom And Check

This is the perfect time to give your dog a thorough check, from ears to nails, suggests Klaiman. Look carefully with an eye for detail, including dandruff, ticks or fleas. "Smell the dog, too," he says. To reduce matting and knotting, it's important to brush out long coats very well before starting the bath. The benefits of a pre-bath thorough brushing job with a good quality brush cannot be over-emphasized.

Water Temperature

Anyone who has bathed an infant will be familiar with the importance of getting water temperature right. Test the water temperature before beginning to wet the dog's coat, and continue to test it on a regular basis during the bath or shower to ensure it doesn't suddenly go hotter or colder. You're aiming for lukewarm water, just as you would prepare for a baby's bath, and cooler than you'd use for yourself.

Pet Shampoo

Nobody deserves having their eyes sting from water splashed into the face. Protect the dog's face and eyes by always using a pet shampoo with a no tears formulation, as human shampoos are too strong for dogs. Be sure to lather well, right through the coat, and to rinse well, too, leaving no sudsy residue that could irritate your pet's skin.

Top To Tail

The order of washing the pet's body parts matters. Avoid the pet's face. "Always begin at the back of the dog's head and work your way to the base of the tail," says Mark. "And use your hands to go from the top of the dog to the paws." Expect plenty of water to be shaken when you wash the dog's belly...it's only natural.

Laurie Jo Miller Farr loves walkable cities. A tourism industry professional and transplanted New Yorker by way of half-a-lifetime in London, she's writing about the best of the bay and beyond for Bay City Guide, AXS, Examiner and more. Examiner.com.


 

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