Cats & Dogs Naturally

A healthy skin and coat doesn’t ordinarily smell. And if your dog is on a species appropriate diet of raw meaty bones then you already know how nice smelling, how soft and silky, your dog’s fur is. But there is always that occasion your dog may need a bath: digging in the garden, a smelly encounter with a skunk, rolling in the mud…well, you get the picture.

Over-washing your dog can remove the natural oils and dry the skin, and thus, make it more prone to irritation. Over washing can interfere with skin’s natural microbiome by removing the good bacteria that protects the animal from the outside world. Also, dogs/cats skin is different than human skin. Dogs skin is thinner than humans. It is only 3-5 cells thick compared to humans, which are 10-15 cells thick. Humans have 7 layers of skin, cats have 3. Human skin has a pH balance of 5.2 to 6.2, and dogs/cats skin has a pH balance of 7.0 to 7.52. And that is why it is not advisable to use human shampoos or soap on your pet….not even baby shampoo….as it is 150 times too acidic for a dogs skin.

Instead, use a shampoo that is specifically designed for your pets skin. And, make sure it contains all natural ingredients…no dyes, no perfumes, no chemicals.

Oatmeal is a good skin cleanser, plus it can soothe irritated skin. Put one to two handfuls of rolled oats inside a sock or stocking. Swish the sock in the bath water until it becomes milky, and then let your dog soak for a few minutes. You can also add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil to the water. Rinse your dog thoroughly with clear water. Pat dog dry with a big, fluffy towel.

Should You Bathe A Cat?

Cats are clean animals. For anyone who owns a cat, they will tell you most cats spend half the day grooming themselves (when they’re not sleeping). A cats tongue is equipped with tiny barbs that remove dirt, dead skin, and loose fur. Also, the licking stimulates the production of sebum, an oily substance that keeps the fur and skin healthy.

So, should you bathe a cat? The short answer is “No.” It’s not neccessary. However, there are instances where you may have to. For example, if your cat is covered in something toxic and you don’t want your cat to lick it. Or, your cat is obese, or is arthritic, and has difficulty reaching certain spots. In this case, you may want to use a sock with rolled oats, dunk it in warm water (no essential oils), and apply it to the area you want to clean. Or, the cat has a flea infestation. To get rid of fleas, please use a natural, chemical-free shampoo specifically made for cats.

There are other ways to keep your cat clean without bathing. First, you can brush your cat at least once a week. This helps to remove loose fur and dander. Not to mention, most cats enjoy being brushed. Second, clean their bedding, toys, and any place your cat likes to lounge. Wash using a natural, scent-free detergent.

NOTE: Please do not wash your cat or kitten in dish detergents (Dawn). I see this suggested in numerous Youtube videos and in cat forums as a way to deal with fleas. Dish detergents do not have an appropriate pH for the delicate skin of a cat/kitten. Not only will it strip away natural skin oils and cause irritation or an allergic reaction, but dish detergent is full of toxic chemicals, like, Sodium lauryl sulfate, C9-11 Pareth-8, Sodium laureth sulfate, etc. Plus, synthetic fragrance, which is a code word for undisclosed chemicals.

Herbal Rinses For Dogs

For a light-colored coat on a dog: You can use Chamomile Flower Tops, either as a teabag, or 1 tablespoon of loose Chamomile, to one cup of boiling water, strain, let it cool, add juice of 1 lemon. Pour over dog and leave it on the coat.

For a dark-colored coat on a dog: One tablespoon of Rosemary Tea infused in one cup of boiling water, let cool, strain, and add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Pour over the dog’s fur, do not rinse off.

Cleaning Dog’s Ears

Most dogs don’t need their ears cleaned on a regular basis. A healthy dog has its own natural system for keeping ears clean. The ear has wax and tiny hairs that help trap dirt and debris before it goes deeper. But, over cleaning can wash away these natural oils which can lead to skin irritation, invite infections, and cause a small problem to become a big problem.

It’s a good idea to check your dogs ear on a regular basis. If you can see pink skin, no funky smells, and a thin layer of ear wax, then everything should be fine. But, if you see a thick build up of discolored wax, swelling, redness, smelly discharge, and crusty scabs, especially accompanied by constant head shaking and scratching at the ears, then it’s time to take action.

Itchy, Yeasty Dog?

If your dog has a yeast problem, aka Malassezla Dermatitis, you may not want to wash him with any product containing oatmeal, as that may aggravate the problem. Instead, combine 1/2 organic white vinegar (or, Apple Cider Vinegar) and 1/2 purified water and soak your dog’s feet, use as a flush for his ears, or apply to any other affected area. You may also use this combination as a rinse after washing, and allow it to dry for a lasting effect.

To prevent a yeast problem, you may want to check your dog’s diet. Foods high in carbohydrates, like kibbles, turns into sugar. Sugar feeds yeast and this will lead to a yeast overgrowth. If your dog likes to swim in the pool, or lake, always make sure to towel out any extra moisture, especially for dogs with floppy ears. Too much moisture may breed a yeast or bacteria overgrowth, also.