Dogs love to take a nap in the shade beneath the family car now and again. But it just takes a small puddle of grease to make a mess of a dog's coat. It is important to get it out right away. Dogs may attempt to self-groom, licking the grease, and potentially poisoning themselves. Grease can be flammable too, so don't delay in degreasing the pooch as soon as you notice the spots.
Mix one part cornstarch to one part baby powder. Sprinkle liberally on the grease in the dog's coat. There may be grease spots that are not readily visible in the coat, so part the hair and sprinkle the powder deep into the coat. Avoid covering the skin unless there is grease visible on the skin.
Brush the powder out of the coat with the sturdy brush. This should remove the grease. If the dog is extremely greasy you may need to repeat the process. Brush and comb the powder out until the coat ceases to feel greasy. Do not get powder into the dog's eyes, ears, mouth or nose.
Run a bath or prepare the shower hose for a wet bath. Use warm but not hot water. Rinse the dog thoroughly to get the remaining powder out. You will probably still feel remnants of the grease. Apply the degreasing shampoo or a grease-cutting dish-washing liquid.
Work shampoo or dish liquid into the coat, massaging very thoroughly. Continue to shampoo for as long as the dog will stand still. Rinse thoroughly, preferably with the pressure of the shower hose, but if not available, rinse with many jugs of warm water.
Dry the dog and comb its coat. If all the grease is not removed, repeat the dry shampoo again, using less powder. Brush it out. Stop the grooming but watch the dog. If it self-grooms, make sure it is not licking a grease spot you missed.
Check the dog after the coat is completely dry. If there is still grease, repeat the wet bath. Let the dog rest and play between baths. If a second wet bath is needed, use the pH-balanced shampoo instead of the grease-cutting dish-washing liquid because using too much dish liquid could dry out the dog's skin.
Warnings
If the dog is too greasy to remove the grease by this method take it to a professional groomer. Consult the vet if the dog has grease in its eyes, ears, nose, mouth or genitals or if you think it has ingested grease.
References
Writer Bio
Roz Calvert was a contributing writer for the award-winning ezine Urban Desires where her travel writing and fiction appeared. Writing professionally since 1980, she has penned promotional collateral for Music Magnet Media and various musicians. The "Now Jazz Consortium" published her jazz educational fiction. She published a juvenile book about Zora Neale Hurston and attended West Virginia University and the New School.