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1. Brush hair thoroughly before washing to dislodge dirt but be careful not to scratch the skin. Even the most gentle shampoo can irritate raw or sensitive skin so it is best not to over stimulate the epidermis. 2. Always use a Natural shampoo free of chemicals. Animals are very sensitive to chemicals which can sometimes cause burning or allergic reactions (to the groomer as well). 3. Make sure to always dilute the shampoo according to the dilution ratio on the bottle (even if it doesn't seem to lather great). Heavy suds usually is a sign that the shampoo has lots of salt or surfactants in it which means it can irritate skin. 4. Avoid shampoo around the eye area even if it is a "tearless" shampoo. Never scrub the eye area, it can cause tearing of the corneas. 5. Chemical flea shampoos are not more effective than pesticide alternative products. Some chemicals designed to kills fleas have been banned recently by the EPA and have been shown to be toxic to both animals and humans. Natural flea shampoos are highly effective and very safe. 6. Do not use dishwashing liquid or human shampoos on dogs and cats (ignore any info to the contrary). Those products will destroy the natural oils in a dog's coat, damage the pH balance of the skin, and eventually cause breakage of the hair. 7. Never mix shampoo and conditioner together. The conditioner will seal in the shampoo and that can cause an irritation to the skin. Shampoo must be rinsed thoroughly before adding a conditioner. 8. Keep mixing bottles very clean and sterilized after each use. Plastic bottles are a great breeding ground for bacteria. That bacteria is the main cause of itching in dogs after bathing and can also cause irritation to the eyes. 9. The very most important thing: Rinse, rinse, rinse, and then rinse again! 10. Dry naturally if possible. When blow drying always start at the root and be careful not to rub, pull, or wring out the hair. Wet hair is more fragile and can loose its resilience and elasticity. Copyright 2007 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved |
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