Cleaning the hunting dog, a few simple rules of prevention. Pay attention to the care of the coat, teeth and ears.
Cleanliness is essential for the health of the hunting dog. Special attention is needed to keep him in good health and keep him fit. The more attention the hunter gives to his dog, the healthier the dog will stay and the better his hunting performance will be. Here, then, are some small suggestions for providing daily care to our hunting dog.
The first aspect concerns the treatment of the eyes. Regular cleaning should be done with cotton wool or sterile gauze. Better to avoid the use of eye drops (for example in case of redness) with various properties (antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anesthetic) without consulting a veterinarian and, in any case, not for a period of more than two weeks.
It is also important to clean the ears to take care of in depth once a week (for dogs with drooping ears it is better to clean the outside every day). Avoid the cotton swab to clean the internal ear canal (to avoid the risk of injury). Ear care is to be done with specific solutions. If, at the time of cleaning, the dog shows that he is in pain, a veterinarian should be consulted.
Dental care is also essential. It is better to accustom the dog from a puppy to this treatment, to avoid the appearance of tartar. To clean the teeth there is a specific paste on the market (with the similar function of our common toothpaste) to be applied using a toothbrush or a rubber latex thimble. some ice or give the animal a soft ball to nibble on; furthermore, as long as the redness persists, the dog must be given soft foods and avoid hot ones. Again, do not use generic mouthwashes after consulting an expert as these could cause excessive and harmful salivation. Finally, check if the dog shows pain and fatigue when chewing or if he has bad breath - it could be an infection.
The fourth practice is about skin care. Regular attention is required for the risk of parasite formation, such as known ticks. There are various pesticides against these insects: collars, sprays, solutions, shampoo for washing. To clean the coat, then, you must try to brush the dog frequently and dry it well after bathing. Specifically, as regards washing, it is better to avoid water in the ears and to wash the dog too often and with abundant quantities of cleaning products.
Behind the appearance of a healthy dog there is, last but not least, a correct and balanced diet. Each dog, based on build, age, breed must follow a specific diet.