Here in Queensland, in
the great “Down Under”, we have just experienced the
hottest summer they say since the 1920’s. This weekend we
have had 40C one day and 42C the next, which was unbelievably
hot for us and the dogs. We can all tapdance around the problems
with aircon and sprinklers on the dogs etc but once the worst
is over and the cooler days arrive, we are left with dry coats
which are often sunburnt.
Some of us have indoor
dogs and the rest, outdoorsy types. For the indoor dogs that are
lounge lizards, this is not a problem but for the sun bunnies,
the split, frazzled coats can wipe them right out of the show
ring till next season’s coat. It is often enough in extreme
weather to keep from looking frazzled let alone worry about the
dogs coats. Comfort for us and the dogs is first and foremost.
Nontheless, necessity is
usually the mother of invention and we have started using the
new Plush Puppy Sunshade.
This wonderful spray on coat protector is enough to repel most
of the sun’s potential for damage and keep the coat from
frying. We were lucky enough to have several bottles from our
trial runs leftover to be able to use them through this trying
time.
We keep the bottle above
the door of the kennels and each morning, if needed, we spray
each dog along the topline. Just a light wipe over with your hand
to spread it evenly and the dog will be protected. I recommend
spraying at least 2 - 3 times per week and every day if the dog
is swimming in dams etc.
Plush
Puppy Sunshade is also
good for dogs that get sunburned skin. Just apply and wipe thoroughly
around the areas that require protection.
This is a nice light product
and is not a heavy greasy affair. It is an intensive sun screen
and moisturiser with a good protective factor. To remove just
shampoo as usual. - it is soluble in water.
Now we have the dog’s
all sunscreened we still need to keep up the moisturiser to the
coat, especially coats that are long and drape. Revivacoat is a light foaming aerosol
moisturiser that is great for keeping up the elasticity and moisture
content to the coat. Use the Revivacoat
each day applying roughly a golfball sized amount to your hands
and work through the coat from mid lengths to ends. This is a
leave in moisturiser and can be applied lavishly if required as
it will not leave the coat greasy. Apply the Protectacoat on the
topline and head and any area that gets sunbleached or is in danger
of sun damage. Also leave in and do not rinse out.
This is a good quick routine
for those who have more than one or two dogs or where time is
in short supply. Join the club! We are always racing the clock
to get everything done but never want to skimp on results.
When bath time arrives,
then use the Conditioning
Shampoo with Evening Primrose for maximum moisturising
and conditioning. For coats that you don’t want to soften,
use the All Purpose
with Henna Shampoo which will give maximum shine. Either
finish with Silk
Protein Conditioner for even more moisture and condition
or for coats that you don’t want to flatten, use the Seabreeze Oil at
a ratio of 1 tbspn to 1 gallon/4litres warm water sponged or hydro
bathed through and left in. Use all the shampoos and conditioners
at around 3:1 for maximum effect. For lighter results use at 5:1
and for regular maintenance use at the ratio of up to 10:1. (i.e.
10 parts water to one part product).
Don’t know what happens
in your part of the woods but we get these darned nasty stinging
flies in summer that chomp on the dogs’ ears and make them
bleed if not attended to quickly. One day the ears are just fine
and then the critters descend and have a feast seemingly overnight.
We have tried all the lotions and potions and have found spraying
is easier than a cream. I manage to get cream from one end of
me and the dogs to the other. The puppy managed to abscond with
the tube and squish the lot everywhere. So much for the cream
which the flies seemed to enjoy anyway and the ears still got
munched.
I have a great little recipe
which you are all welcome to have, which we mix up in a jug and
spray on with a water spray bottle. Mix equal parts of Dettol
(hope this is available in your part of the world - it is a strong
smelling disinfectant/antiseptic liquid available at the supermarket),
Baby Oil and Methylated Spirits. Cheap as chips to make, works
like a charm and safe as houses on the dogs too.
Then there are the ticks.
Well we have them all here in Queensland, don’t we? You name
the critter and we probably have it. Fortunately in our area they
are just bush ticks but are pretty much in plague proportions
this year due to the extreme heat and rain. I always figured they
were transported by the possums and bats that lived in our mango
trees. Well the mango trees provide great shade so we always put
up with them preferring to spray the ground when they got too
bad and ignore them other times till bath time.
I have discovered that
they will feast on anything and when I found a half eaten mango
left by the dogs who are by now well and truly had their fill
of them, it was swarming with ticks. I mean crawling!!! Hundreds
of the darned things literally marching back to the tree chockers
with mango. I couldn’t stomp them all out. This tree and
I will part company after all this time. I have fought for years
to keep this tree despite my husband’s protestations of the
mess the leaves and the fallen fruit make. Yuk, those ticks really
put the kybosh on it. Up with the sails and down with the tree
and this is from a serious environmental person.
