Novak is a white staffy. His coat has always been thin, so much so it's practically none existent on the insides of his legs and his chest/tum and his skin is always quite pink.

I have used white dog shampoo in the past but recently read (probably somewhere on the forum) that white dog shampoo can contain chemicals to whiten the coat that might not be great for the skin.

So my question is, what should I be using to bath him? Should I be giving him any supplement? Using any creams? Avoiding specific things?

Just thought I'd ask those in the know for their opinion.

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I would be tempted to wash him in Puppy Shampoo as it is mild so should help him.

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Thanks.

I've head a lot of people use baby shampoo too. But I'm never sure if using human products on dogs is okay.

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Yes, probably use a puppy shampoo or a sensitive skin shampoo if the skin seems to be affected by the whitening shampoo.

As for creams and lotions, then i'd maybe suggest perhaps putting sun cream on his 'skinny bits' to prevent him from becoming burnt. This needs to go on the areas where the fur is thin and skin is on show such as the fleshy parts of the ear (but not the actual workings of the ear, just the 'flap' bits. Also perhaps on the nose and even on the bits on his tummy, just to be on the safe side (obviously these bits won't be exposed to sun as much but it's better to be safe than sorry)

As he's a staffy and only has a short coat, he really doesn't need bathing all that often. Most muck will just brush out (with a softer brush if he has sensitive/easily damaged skin) or otherwise just wash off with a cloth dampened with warm water. Try to avoid grooming wipes and baby wipes as these may cause irritation.

Hope that helped

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R.I.P Buster - Causing mischief over the bridge, sleep tight soldier

My nine year old has had maybe four full baths in his whole life!
My 2 year old just one!
Why do you feel the need to bath them?
Im my roll in summat I just sprong down the area they have soiled!

AND! neither of my dogs smell and they both have beautiful coats! I would go so far as to say my youngest (dispite he lack of baths) has perhaps one of the best coats I have seen! I am very pround of her on that score!

Thanks.

I do lather him in sun tan lotion when we're off out, even if the sun is only threatening to come out lol. And I only bath him when he needs it, IE when he's rolled in god knows what in the park lol. Which he thankfully doesn't do often. I use dry shampoo sometimes because he is white if he does roll in anything it really shows. He usually has grass stains and stuff when he's been out so I use the dry shampoo on the area if they don't brush out.

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What colour are they?

With Novak being white he everything shows up on his coat. If he's rolled in something ungodly not only does he stink lol, but he looks god awful too. So he gets a bath.

Bailey has a nice thick coat, and he's black so nothing shows up in his coat, a good brush and he's good to go. He only gets a bath if he stinks. He's 1 now and I think I've bathed him twice.

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Some Dogs are prone to bad Skin Conditions...Have you checked with your vet to see if theirs some medical problem that could be causing this? Is his skin Sore in any way?

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Sorry, didn't see this reply.

No, he's not sore at all, Just looking to not do anything that might irritate him if that makes sense?

The vet said he is extremely pink and to just keep an eye on it and take him in if he starts to get irritated. Obviously I don't want to use something that will irritate him due to ignorance.

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My parson is white , and very thinly haired on his underside , he has a lovely pink belly with liver coloured blotches. If I absolutely have to I've just used Bob Martin Stay Fresh , seems OK . He has the rolling in muck habit too , and up here is Scotland we have some really black , smelly and very sticky bogs which he loves jumping into and getting a mountful as well . Unless he is completely covered |I just use and old flannel and some of the shampoo in warm water in the sink , wash of the stick bog muck , quick towel rub and a brush later.
I just use a cheapo dog brush , medium hard and a gents comb for grooming him , he loves it . I brsuh and comb him every other day as he drops a bit otherwise , and his coat looks great.He's been groomed since a pup so he will stand there all day if you'll indulge him.........
I.ve never used a sun screen product on him , he's never shown any discomfort in the sun yet.

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Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend.