Your Shih Tzu Needs Your Care

This dog breed which originated from China, a Shih Tzu needs your care and attention more than any other breed of his kind. It is often well known for its long, flowing double coat, compulsory for conformation shows.

Care must be taken to maintain the beauty and health of their crowning glory, their coat. When bathing your Shih Tzu, choosing for grooming and cleaning products is very important. Choose a pet shampoo that is specifically made for pets, not one made for people. Products made for people can possible dry out your dog’s coat. Bathing them regularly, at least every other week is recommended. Avoid frequent bathing because this will remove the natural oils necessary to maintain shiny and healthy coat.

You need to brush them before and after you bathe them to make afterwards brushing easier and to prevent the formation of tangled hair. Use a wire brush so that you will be able to brush his coat in layers. Brush lightly all the way down to the skin to get rid of tangles and focus to the hairs in-between the feet pads.

Always remember to rinse off the shampoo thoroughly especially between their toes. Shampoo residue can possibly irritate their skin. It is also important to blow dry their coat thoroughly. Dogs, when they are still wet will pick up things from the ground thus wasting your effort in bathing them. Care is necessary in blowing hot air especially into their face. Avoid blowing hot air directly into a puppy’s face and his chest must be dried first to prevent them from catching a chill.

Their eyes and ears are some of the things to consider when giving them a bath. You must use a soft brush to clean the eye area. Their eyes are prone to eye infection so cleaning them at least once a week is important. Once you noticed something unusual such as inflammation around the eye, contact your veterinarian. You also need to place cotton balls in their ears before the bath to prevent water from entering. Water in the ears can cause ear infection to dogs. And remember to remove these cotton balls after bathing. Remove excess hair from its ear canal by pulling it gently after applying powder.

Shih Tzu’s hair can be styled either in a short summer cut or kept long, either way proper care and grooming helps in maintaining something what they are known for.

Richard Cussons is not just a writer but also a great lover of dogs. Discover more about Shih Tzu dogs at this site dedicated to Shih Tzus.