Allergies, Inside & Out

The following is an Editorial Resource from YourTotalHealth.

How To Wash Your Pet

Reviewed by: Marc J. Sicklick, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI

Dogs wriggle and squirm, shaking water and suds all over the place; cats slip out of your hands like bars of soap. But if you’re allergic to your pet, weekly baths are a necessity.

Start with the right stuff: a tub with a non-stick mat; access to a handheld shower head; pet shampoo; brush; pet-friendly nail clippers; plenty of towels. Ready, set, go:

1. Give your pet a good brush before the bath. You’ll reduce the amount of pet hair that will fall out during the bath. This step could stir up dander into the air, so you may want to wear a mask for the brush-out.
   
   
2. Fill the tub with three or four inches of warm water. Talking in soothing tones, take your pet into the bathroom, slowly and calmly; close the door behind you. Lift your little friend into the tub slowly and pet him or her reassuringly.
   
   
3. With the shower head on low pressure, wet your pet’s body, being careful not to get water in the face. Squirt shampoo down the back and gently but firmly massage it into the fur, all the way down to the tip of her tail.
   
   
4. Use the shower head again to rinse off the suds thoroughly.
   
   
5. Gently squeeze excess water from your pet’s hair. (Dogs usually try to shake the water off first, which is far more effective than using a towel, but less pleasant for you.) Blot the rest of the water as best you can with the towel. If it’s not too cold, there’s no harm in letting your pet air dry. But realize that a dog may try to air dry by rolling on any soft surface, like carpet, bed or sofa. Avoid blow-drying your pet––most animals dislike the sensation of hot air blowing on them.
   
   

That wasn’t so bad, was it? And, after your pet gets used to her weekly baths, it will become easier.

What's Next: Allergy-Friendly Pets

• Meet the Allergens
  
• Manage Your Allergies
  
• Home: Your Allergy-Free Zone
  
• Keep Your Pet!
  
• Love the Outdoors Again
  
• Sneeze-Free Gardening
  
  

Review date: 02-19-2008