How to Clean Dog Whiskers

A dog's whiskers do not serve the same purpose as human facial hair. Groomers who routinely trim whiskers for the sake of appearance are actually doing the dog a great disservice. Dogs use their whiskers to navigate their world: they tell the dog when something is close to its face, and they also register changes in air currents, telling the dog something is near. Dogs use their whiskers to get information about the shape and surface texture of something near their faces. To clean your dog's whiskers, you must be gentle, because the whiskers have a high concentration of touch-sensitive neurons.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft rag
  • Mild or hypoallergenic dog shampoo (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wet your rag with warm water. If your dog's whiskers are really dirty, you may want to use a shampoo as well as water.

    • 2

      Make your dog sit and reward it with a treat. Teach your dog to associate whisker cleaning with things it loves, like treats and attention. Maintain a calm demeanor and avoid overwhelming your dog with other grooming. Stick to the whiskers for now and add nail trimming and brushing on other occasions.

    • 3

      Sit beside your dog and hold the dampened rag out for your dog to sniff, asking it "What's this?" in an upbeat voice. Reward your dog with a treat for remaining seated and calm. Allow your dog to whisk its whiskers across the surface of the rag to become familiar with its texture.

    • 4

      Touch the ends of the whiskers to gauge your dog's reaction. Remember, a dog's whiskers are highly sensitive. Reward your dog for remaining calm and seated. Gently wipe from the base of the whiskers to the tip.