I went on a cruise (2 1/2 week vacation) and left my dog in my backyard with plenty of food, water and shelter. My neighbors were supposed to take care of her while we were gone like they usually do but they ended up leaving their house a day after us because a close relative of theirs died 2 states away so they went to see the family. I came home and she was famished and parched so we fed her back to health... but for some reason her fur is absolutely filthy. We never had this problem before when we leave so it was unexpected. What would be the best kind of brush to comb her ratted fur out with and what's the best shampoo to use when I bathe her?
p.s. Don't worry, we didn't pay the family that we expected to take care of her one cent...
2007-02-24 15:13:30 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Look for a comb that is made for the situation you have. Brush out the tangles or cut the matted parts *before* you bathe her or they may get worse. There are shampoos with conditioner in them. I used human baby shampoo with conditioner on my long-haired dog and it made her coat so soft.
2007-02-24 15:35:53 · answer #1 · answered by orderly logic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't even answer this question without really freaking out that there was no mention of legal action or a vet visit... I really think the hair issue should be discussed with a groomer! and is very minor when compared to the entire story at hand!
You obviously do care somewhat for your pet.... but don't push YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES off on a neighbor while your on a vacation. You always run a risk when leaving a pet in a nonprofessionals hands!! way to take the cheap way out! You truly are lucky your dog is still alive!
2007-02-24 23:55:05 · answer #2 · answered by justme 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you dog might have rolled in some oil. I would use regular dog shampoo and then use a conditioner to soften the hair so you can brush through it. I have a brush that is round and retracts so that when I get hair in it, I retract it and the hair falls out. Check with Petco.
Be careful of people who dont care for animals.
Good luck
2007-02-24 23:23:40 · answer #3 · answered by me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my! I am so sorry to hear that about your poor puppy. It sounds like your dog's hair is longer?? There are dematting combs and shedder brushes you can buy at a local pet store. Any good pet shampoo should get your dog clean, so wash as appropriate (i.e. flea shampoo if necessary) though you may have to do it twice. Just don't overwash as you can dry out your dog's skin. I would suggest using the money you would have paid the neighbor's to pamper the pooch. Poor thing! Good luck and hug her for me.
2007-02-24 23:23:24 · answer #4 · answered by krissy4543 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can afford to go on a cruise for 2-1/2 weeks, include in your budget boarding for your dog either with your vet or at a kennel. This way you have someone who is going to be there every day to ensure that your pet is well cared for. To do less is neglect.
It's never a good idea to leave a dog outside for so long, even with someone coming to check on them. Anything could happen... injury, accident, someone breaking in, the fence breaking and the dog escaping, illness, choking on food, getting his collar tangled on something, poisoning... The dog may become frightened by someone and begin to develop aggressive or fearful behaviors. What if there were a bad storm? One of my aggression clients began his "career" as an aggressive dog just this way- he was left outdoors for a few days. He hadn't been aggressive before that. No one knows whether he was abused or mistreated or merely frightened and lonely. Whatever, it was brutal for him and it changed his personality.
While I am sorry your neighbors experienced a loss, they had accepted the responsibility for your dog's care in your absense and should have arranged for someone else to care for him until your return since there was no way to reach you.
Yet, ultimately, the responsibility for your dog's horrible vacation of hunger, thirst and matted hair is on you.
2007-02-24 23:32:25 · answer #5 · answered by Behaviorist 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Geez I would have called the ASPCA on them for not making any effort to contact someone to do their job for them. But to get back to the question you may want to shave her or take her to a good groomer. It is the best way and not painful like shampooing and combing will be.
I love my dogs and would never speak to the neighbors again. Sounds cold but your dog is family too and they should not have ignored their responsibilities!
2007-02-24 23:31:43 · answer #6 · answered by Psycmixer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try using a shampoo/conditioner mix. Soak her in the tub with the good conditioner mixed in, then slowly comb your fingers through her fur to loosen matted hair and dirt, while she's in the water.
2007-02-24 23:36:25 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋