Keeping an active dog clean without a bath seemed to be impossible but then someone suggested an alternative
When my mum was looking for a dog, she had a strict set of requirements. She wanted a small dog that didn’t require much exercise and certainly didn’t shed its hair.
She ended up with a Border Collie! Yes, it ticks all the boxes, but not quite in the way she intended.
Nevertheless, Buddy is the best dog. He’s loyal, affectionate, extremely sociable, and obedient – until it comes to bath time.
Buddy is quick to obey any command we give him, except when it comes to having a bath. We’ve tried everything – a pool in the garden, a shower, even our own bath, but as soon as we manage to get him in – which isn’t easy with a 25kg dog – he immediately jumps out again, usually drenching us and everything else in water and soap suds, reports the Daily Record.
Despite regular visits to the groomer’s, he can sometimes be incredibly smelly. So we knew we needed to find a solution, but we had no idea it could be so straightforward.
We were on the verge of giving up when I was given the opportunity to try the Earth Rated range of bath-free grooming essentials. While they’re perfect for cleaning up your pet after a muddy walk, they’re also useful for so much more.
The range offers a variety of options, and we tried most of them.
We started with the Grooming Wipes, available in Lavender, Unscented, White Tea and Basil, and Wild Oat. Within minutes, Buddy was smelling much fresher – and judging by the state of the used wipes, he was much cleaner too.
While our faithful friend despises baths, he does love being stroked or brushed. This meant he thoroughly enjoyed being cleaned with the wipes and was content to sit for five minutes while we did a thorough job.
The whole process took just over five minutes, and he came out looking brilliantly clean with fresh, fluffy fur. If you were simply wiping off mud, it would take considerably less time.
Next, we tried the Eye and Ear Wipes, which Earth Rated describe as perfect “for those hard-to-reach muddy spots”. Priced at under £10, like the grooming wipes, these ensured he smelt lovely all over.
The wipes are hypoallergenic, making them perfect for dogs with sensitive skin – though thankfully this isn’t an issue we face with Buddy. He was perfectly content to let us carry on with our cleaning routine on both his eyes and ears.
These ear and eye wipes measure 5×5 inches – which Earth Rated say are large enough to give both ears or eyes a thorough clean. That said, we opted to use separate ones for each ear and each eye.
Buddy was already spotless and fresh, but we still had two more products to test. Living just 5 minutes’ walk from the beach and with a muddy hill even nearer means our walks typically see him coming home wet or muddy or both, so it wasn’t long before we had the opportunity to try the No-Rinse Shampoo, priced £8.57, which “cleans, conditions, and detangles without a bath”.
Earth Rated describes it as a “revolutionary no-rinse dog shampoo”, but honestly, I was sceptical – just as I had been with the wipes. Surely getting the dog clean without rinsing him off would leave his coat matted or itchy?
But these concerns proved groundless for all the tested products. His coat was shiny and silky to the touch – and he looked as proud as punch at all the attention he was receiving.
Sadly, as many dog owners will appreciate, that freshly groomed scent doesn’t last long. A trip out on a rainy day or even just popping into the garden for a few minutes can mean a pongy trail following your pet through the house.
And this was where the final product came in. The Deodorizing Refresh Mist is a conditioning spray that the company says “actually tackles odours, rather than covering them up”.
We tried it and what a revelation. It seems we had saved the best till last.
Earth Rated says the product: “Instantly Eliminate Dog Odours with One Quick Spray. Say goodbye to embarrassing dog smells with our powerful deodorizing spray. Whether it’s that wet dog smell, outdoor adventures, or just daily freshening, our triple-action mist delivers instant results.”
It’s priced £9.99 but worth every penny. Our house no longer reeks of “dog” all the time.
A few quick sprays and Buddy is as fresh as a daisy – and smelling just as sweet.
Before I tested these I would have said there was no real substitute for a bath and good shampoo but in all honesty these have transformed my opinion. We’ll still take Buddy regularly to the groomer but in between visits we know we can keep him – and our home – smelling fresh with a few quick wipes.
