After a walk, a quick look at three spots is worth it: ears, paws and coat. It takes two minutes and finds small problems before they grow. A bath, on the other hand, is rarely the answer, and often not even the most important kind of hygiene.
| Spot | What to look for | When to see the vet |
|---|---|---|
| Ears | smell, redness, visible dirt, head shaking | with redness, swelling, a strong smell, discharge or frequent head shaking |
| Paws | small stones, grit, salt residue, cracks between the pads | if your dog licks constantly, limps or there is a wound |
| Coat | burrs, tangles, wet patches on belly and legs | with bald patches, strong itching or irritated skin |
Ears
Dogs with floppy ears in particular tend to have ears that stay damp and warm, and sooner or later you notice it through smell or dirt. For routine care a gel such as the Hery Ohrenpflege with a rosemary base is enough: a little gel on the outer ear, massage it in and wipe with a cloth. Care wipes such as the Espree wipes with aloe vera work too. Cotton swabs do not belong in a dog's ear. If the ears are red, smell strongly or your dog shakes his head often, no care product will help, then your dog belongs at the vet.
Paws
After every walk, more collects between the pads than you can see from above: small stones, grit, and in the rain also soggy leaves. According to the manufacturer, a paw balm like the one from Yuup is meant to protect the pads from rough surfaces and, in winter, from snow and road salt. For muddy paws the Trixie paw cleaner with silicone bristles helps, which according to its description is dishwasher safe. How to protect the paws in winter is explained in Dogs and road salt.
Coat
A shampoo made for humans is not suited to dog skin and can dry it out, so your dog needs his own. Whether that is necessary is a different question: for most dogs, bathing when needed is enough, for example after rolling in something, because bathing too often can strain skin and coat. In everyday life, brushing and drying off do more. That includes loosening burrs and tangles in long coats early, before they set. More in Why autumn is harder on dog skin than winter.
How often is too often
For washing, the rule is: better less often, but dry thoroughly. Ears and paws, on the other hand, you may look at briefly after every walk. That is not over-grooming, it is the moment you find small problems. You will find care products in the Care & Health collection.