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If you’ve seen the Wild Water Plumbing truck cruising around, you’ll know that our four-legged friend Lucy is an integral part of our northern beaches plumbing team. There’s nothing we like more than bringing Lucy along on our jobs to meet new friends, and stopping off on the way home for some off-the-leash time at Richie Roberts reserve.
We know many of our customers also love getting the family out of the house on a Saturday morning for some fresh air and outdoor time with their pet. Whether it’s playing on a dog beach, making new pooch pals at the dog park, or scampering along one of the region’s beautiful bush walking tracks, it’s important to let your dog burn off some energy and get some playtime. The only downside is when your frisky pup wants to continue the fun at home… dirty dog feet on your nice clean doona? Less-than-fresh smelling pooch curling up beside you on the couch? No thanks!
Keeping your pet clean can be quite a chore, and many of our eco-minded customers are conscious of how much water they are using. Providing plumbing services to the northern beaches for 11 years now, we regularly get asked for advice on how people can recycle water in their homes and reduce their household water usage. We know that washing your dog can use up quite a lot of H2O, but luckily we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves to help keep your dog clean, without running your water tank dry.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR DOG:
Less is more:
How often do you wash your dog? Many people don’t know that bathing should be kept to a minimum – in fact, the RSPCA recommends only bathing your dog once every four weeks! We know this might be a stretch, but the reality is that if you’re washing your dog every week, it’s too often. A dog’s skin has a very sensitive PH level, and washing too often will strip the coat of the natural oils that protect the skin. Washing too frequently can also result in your dog’s hair losing its shine and luster.
Waterless washing:
Keeping the baths to a minimum can pose some obvious problems – especially in the summer when we spend a lot of time outdoors, or in winter where even a neighbourhood stroll can leave your pup with muddy feet. Nobody wants a grubby, wiffy pet! So how do you keep them clean between baths?
It may seem strange for a northern beaches plumber to be giving you advice on how NOT to use water, but that’s precisely what we’re going to do! Here are some of the tried-and-true ways that you can save your hot water, while still keeping your pet clean:
Brushing is integral. Keep it brief, and do it often to remove dirt from the coat and to prevent hair from matting. Brushing also helps to distribute the natural oils in your dog’s hair, keeping their coat glossy and healthy.
We’re huge fans of dog wipes. They’re great because you can keep them in the car and give your dog a quick clean before heading home – not only will you have a clean pup, but you’ll be saving your car interior, too! If Lucy’s been in the ocean or in wet grass, we give her a quick dry off with a towel first, then use a brush to remove any debris, followed by a once-over with a dog wipe for an instant freshen up.
Dry shampoo for dogs is perfect for at home cleaning between baths. It absorbs excess oil, breaks down dirt and grime, and leaves your dog’s coat looking shiny and smelling great! It usually comes in a powder formula and is super easy to use – just sprinkle onto your dog’s coat, rub it in, and brush it through – Lucy loves Cocoa and Rufus waterless wash best.
Splash out and save:
When it comes time for your dog to have a proper bath, we recommend investing in a hydrobath. They’re fully portable and super convenient, and we find that Lucy responds really well to having a contained, familiar space for her wash time. The best thing about these baths is that you’ll also use significantly less water than you would with your backyard hose or indoor tub. Generally, hydrobaths only go through about 20 litres per bath time, and they recycle water during the wash. This is great news for the environment and your hot water system service. It may seem like a lot of money to fork out upfront, but it’s an expense that you pay once and benefit from for many years.
Want to know more ways you can reduce your household water usage? Or perhaps you’re due for some plumbing maintenance? Your friendly, local northern beaches plumbing team are only a phone call away: Contact us on 0405 692 151.