Dr Dee's Detox Bath
Learn the significance of a detox bath for your pet along with an easy step-by-step guide and boldly go where few dare to venture!
The Detox Bath
The skin is the largest detoxification organ since it covers our entire body. It is constantly turning over cells and sloughing off layers of dead skin, bacteria, oils, toxicants and grime. A loofa sponge on a dog or cat isn’t very user-friendly, but a stimulating, soothing detox bath can do wonders. If your cat or dog has greasy, smelly, punky hair, full of dandruff and lacking luster, they need a Detox Bath! This bath will clean hair and open pores, gently releasing any toxins rising to the surface of the skin through the tiny capillary endings.
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
For animals with chronic kidney disease their ability to detoxify directly through the urine is diminished. This pushes more reliance on the other detox organs such as the skin, making them the most in need of a Detox Bath. Cats are typically the most common animal with chronic kidney disease and since they are perpetual groomers, the hair they swallow has to be processed in the stomach and intestine. These toxic clumps of hair can impede digestion and subsequent re-circulation of the toxicants. Poor babies!
TEA RINSES
If your animal has open sores this might not be the best option, but it might! You will have to experiment on a small area with the vinegar water. If it irritates don’t do the bath. You might find more support with a black or green tea rinse after the same shampooing mentioned below.
For the tea rinse steep about 3 tea bags (use green tea if you have a white animal) in approximately 1 quart of water. Dilute this concentrate by another quart or two of water then pour on after shampooing or daub on to areas such as hot spots. The tannins in the tea are astringent and can help itching and inflammation temporarily.
1st - SET YOUR INTENTION - Don’t skip this step!
If the idea of bathing your dog or cat evokes hair-raising anxiety, taking a calming dose of Rescue Remedy might be the first step for mom, dad and/or animal. Your pet knows when you’re anxious, so, avoid spreading the dread right before bath time. Take deep breaths, keep it simple, and carve out plenty of time. Turn off the phone and get the whole family involved, especially children if they are able to calm themselves. Teaching them basic animal care is like teaching them basic math. It will serve them forever. Remember to never underestimate the power of a really delicious bribe for your pet. Have plenty on hand. Take extra time with a cat; you might need more help, but, bathing a cat is truly possible and rewarding!
2nd - PREPARE INGREDIENTS BEFORE BATH TIME
Prepare the rinse first, even though you will use it last.
You don’t want to make this rinse water while your animal is trying to jump out of the tub.
Mix 1 gallon of warm water (filtered or spring water) and a 1/4 cup of ‘real’ apple cider vinegar. Dr. Bonner’s apple cider vinegar is a great product.
Make 1-3 gallons of the mixture, depending on the size of your animal, and set aside. Small dogs and cats only need 1 gallon.
Next, mix the shampoo.
I recommend using 4-Legger coconut-based USDA Organic Shampoos which will add moisture to the skin and not add toxicants. There is not point in doing a detox bath if the products are toxic!
These are my two favorite formulations:
Although oatmeal shampoos are detoxifying, they can also be dehydrating. Most animals need more moisture. For the detox bath, you want to avoid shampoos with neem, tea tree, citronells, or other flea deterrents.
Dilute the shampoo 50:50 with water in another plastic bottle. The best kinds are ones that look like those old style plastic mustard dispensing bottles with the pointed cap. They are easy to aim and less likely to tip over. The 50:50 dilution allows for easier spreading and rinsing of the shampoo.
3rd - APPLY MOISTURIZING SHAMPOO
Thoroughly wet your animal with warm water, spread the shampoo and lather up everywhere with a gentle massage. Use your hands in gentle, overlapping circular motions, not rough forward and backward movements. This attentive motion supports relaxation, stimulates the capillary endings in the skin, and helps release toxicants through the pores. Rinse thoroughly. Using a filter on your hose is very important for the whole family as most city water is very polluted.
4th - POUR THE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR RINSE
Gently pour the apple cider vinegar rinse over your pet. DO NOT rinse this off. Your pet will smell like a salad until dry, but, your animal will be shiny, energetic, and pH balanced!
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BATHE MY PET?
After the first detox bath, you can repeat in a week or two as toxicants continue to surface. For indoor/outdoor pets, I recommend a MINIMUM of 4 times a year (quarterly/seasonally), possibly more depending on toxicant exposure, age, health, and diet.
Monthly baths are likely necessary for metro pets who are exposed to city grime. Bathe your pet every spring to open the pores and release the dead hair during shedding time. Too frequent bathing can destroy the natural oils, but, too infrequent clogs detoxification.
Have fun and enjoy the results of a Detox Bath!