Dirty muzzle

[Jan and Jake]

Jake is like every little boy -- his face is always dirty. I've tried brushing, combing and a wet washcloth. How do you keep your doodle faces clean?  Thank you!

[Star and Goldie]

I use baby wipes. They work wonders! I'm interested to see what others advise as well

[Tanya and IsaBella]

We use a washcloth with a diluted mixture of vinegar and water twice a day to kill yeast that cause the red staining.

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

How much vinegar to water for your mixture?

[Jan and Jake]

Both great ideas. I did not know that yeast might be the cause. Thank you both.

[Marcia & MoneyPenny]

The girls are no neater. Baby wipes, will try them immediately. Penny's face always needs cleaning. Thanks.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Its not easy! Lucy's face stays nice and white, but Oscar's is continually discolored. He's had it since we got him at 8 weeks and I'm sure he had a red yeast growth going on. After a course of antibiotics (for an unrelated issue) his beard started to grow out white, but lately I've noticed the discoloration reappearing. I keep a bottle of diluted white vinegar handy to wash his muzzle a couple times a day (and I do think that helps). Keeping his beard short helps a lot too. Oscar dunks his whole mouth when he drinks so we try to keep it wiped dry when he finishes (its impossible to catch him every time, however!). We've only used the wet wipes on dirty paws. I'm not so sure whatever chemicals may be in wet wipes is the best thing to have near the mouth.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I meant 'baby wipes'.

[Star and Goldie]

Both my groomer and my vet recommended baby wipes so I believe they are safe.  They also have puppy wipes- just like baby wipes but for dogs. I use those too.

Although, I must add that my response was just for a dirty muzzle. I interpreted that as literal DIRT and not the red staining that everyone else is mentioning. If that's what the poster was referring to then I don't think baby wipes would be as efficient. Sorry if I misunderstood the question.

[Anita - Thunder, Noodle, Sparky]

Would the spray bottle of vinegar and water help my pup with yeast in his paws, pits, elbows and neck? He swims nonstop and a shot of steroids helped for a while.

[Julie and Maggie]

I've never heard of yeast problems? Can someone explain what this is? What are the symptoms?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yeast are ever present and can cause ear infections and skin problems among other things. These are usually superficial problems like jock itch and athletes foot in people. The yeast thrive in moist, dark places. Acidic solutions, like vinegar, are helpful in keeping yeast at bay. Most ear cleaning solutions have vinegar in them. Of course vinegar stings if there is already an infection which may need anti fungal treatment first.

[Julie and Maggie]

So if she is scratchy around her face that could be a yeast problem?

If so I might take to this water/vinegar solution and wipe around her mouth area more often.

Thanks!