We all love our dogs, but let’s face it, they have a tendency to get themselves into pretty messy situations. Maybe your pup got some sap on their paw or perhaps they rolled around in a mud puddle. Here are some tips and tricks on how to clean up a very messy dog.

Dealing with a Muddy Pup

When your dog is covered in mud, it might be your first instinct to hose them down or plop them in a bathtub. But that will actually make the job of clean-up a lot harder. The best thing to do is start by toweling your pup off and removing as much mud as possible while it’s still wet. Once you’ve done that, wait until they are completely dry, then brush as much of the remaining mud off their coat as you can. Caked on mud can be removed from their feet by dipping their paws into a bowl of water until the mud has softened, and then wiping it away. After that, it’s time to give them a bath to remove the last of the mud and give them a thorough cleaning.

Removing Sap

When your pooch has found himself in a sticky situation (literally), like getting sap on their fur or feet, a simple bath won’t help – sap doesn’t dissolve in water. If a small patch of fur is affected, you can cut it away for the easiest solution. However, this isn’t always possible, depending upon how much sap they got into and how short their coat is. If trimming won’t help, or if the sap is on their paws, try using olive oil or peanut butter by massaging the area. This should loosen the sap enough for you to be able to carefully pick it off. You can remove the peanut butter or olive oil and any remaining sap with warm water and dog shampoo.

De-Stink Your Pup

If your dog has gotten something truly offensive all over their coat, it’s time for a deep clean. Give them a good brushing, and follow with a thorough shampoo. Let the shampoo sit on their coat for several minutes before rinsing. Follow up with a dusting of baking soda if the odor persists.

Follow the Odyssey Lake blog for more tips on keeping your pet happy and healthy.