Frequently Asked Questions

Bath time requirements depend on the living and playing environment of your pets. An inside pet won't get as dirty as those pets who play outside so the best rule of thumb is to simply bathe your pet whenever it seems smelly or dirty to you.

To get the best results out of your pet’s bath, it is helpful to brush away any loose hair, skin, knots, tangles and debris from your pet before washing. This ​​will help you wash your pet more effectively and make it easier to rinse and soften your pet’s coat during and after the bath.

Bath time will go a lot smoother if you have all your equipment ready to go before you being. Fill the tub half-full with luke warm water and have your shampoo, conditioner and towel within reach. It can also be helpful to keep cotton balls and a grooming brush handy if you intend to use them. Placing a rubber mat in the bottom of the tub is a good idea to prevent your pet from slipping during their bath.

It is important to be careful of ears and eyes when washing your furry friend and keep them as dry as possible while washing. Place a large wad of cotton balls in the ears to prevent water from entering the ear canal and be sure remove it completely after washing. Use your hands or other objects to avoid getting any product in the eyes of the animal. If you do, rinse them thoroughly with cool, clean water.

After you have prepared your pet’s coat, eyes and ears for bath time, your pet is ready to get wet. Keep your pet calm by holding them gently but firmly to ensure they feel secure. Wet the coat thoroughly with lukewarm water from their head down. Apply a moderate amount of shampoo along the back and chest of your pet, rubbing it evenly down the legs and tail as well. Once shampoo has lightly lathered, cover area around the head and neck as required, taking special care not to get water or shampoo near the eyes and ears of the pet. Massage shampoo well into the coat before thoroughly rinsing it away. Perform the same procedure with conditioner letting the product sit for at least two minutes before making sure all product is thoroughly rinsed from the coat.

After bathing, use a soft, dry towel to rub down your pet's coat until he or she is damp, paying particular attention to the eyes and ears. You can let your dog air dry in a secure area (to prevent him or her running outside and rolling around in the dirt) or use a hair dryer on low, warm heat to expedite drying time. Use this time to comb through your pet’s coat, removing any knots until dry and tangle free.

Bath time can cause anxiety in some pets. If you find your animal gets wide-eyed or resists being bathed, be patient. Start by letting it hear and see the running water then add a little to the tub at a time. Begin wetting just their feet and legs, gradually wetting the entire coat when they are ready. You can also try try slowly massaging your pet along the spine with gentle motions to make them feel cared for and relaxed.

Absolutely. Talking to your pet with a gentle, positive tone can help them relax and feel less anxious about bath time, making it a more fun experience for you and your pet!

​It’s always a good idea to use conditioner to nourish dry coats and provide a tangle-free, shiny finish after each wash. Oakwood Coat Conditioner with Aloe Vera is perfect for adding moisture and softness to the coat after shampooing as well as helping to remove and prevent stubborn knots and tangles, making brushing your pet’s coat a lot easier. Apply conditioner after shampooing along the back and neck of the pet and rub into area of legs and tail. Allow to stand for two minutes before rinsing the conditioner out of the coat.

Just like human hair, it’s always a great idea to condition your pets coat after shampooing. This will moisturise your dog’s coat, replacing any natural oils that may have been stripped away during shampooing. Use Oakwood’s Aloe Vera Coat Conditioner to moisturize the coat after shampooing and help eliminate any matted knots and tangles.

Long coats can be prone to matting and tangling. We recommend using our Aloe Vera Coat Conditioner during washes immediately after shampooing to help prevent matting and tangling.

Brush your pet’s coat often between washes to keep it knot and tangle free. Use Oakwood’s anti-tangle spray to help remove any knots or tangles that do develop between baths. If your pet develops an odor before you are ready to wash again, use Oakwood’s Pet Cologne Spray to safely remove odors. It can also be used on pet bedding, fabric, furniture, car interiors and anywhere your pet may roam.

Yes. Puppies and kittens are very delicate and their coat is different to an adult dog and cat. We recommend using Oakwood Puppy & Kitten shampoo which is specifically formulated to be very mild and gentle on younger puppies and kittens. Its special sulphate-free formulation with chamomile extract is gentle on the eyes and ears of young animals.

Encouraging young animals to enjoy bath time at an early age makes it easier to bathe them as adults. Make bath time fun by including a few small rubber pet toys in the sink or bath, using warm water, soft voices and a calm environment to keep your young ones feeling safe and secure.

We all love snuggling with our pets on the couch, but if your pet's hair is getting too much on the couch, armchair or any other soft furnishing, simply dampen a rubber glove and pat it over the furniture. The damp rubber material is like a magnet to hair!

Although not visibly dirty, sometimes pets can get a bit smelly. Oakwood Pet Odor Eliminator and Cologne keeps your pet smelling fresh and clean in between bath times. A light spray to the coat, pet bedding, lounges and carpets will emit a clean and mild fragrance that eliminates and freshens stubborn odors.

To combat pet urine odors, you need an enzyme cleaner that breaks down the crystals found in urine. While some people recommend a vinegar and water solution, it actually lacks the ability to break down the crystals and eliminate the odor for good. Similarly, cleaners with ammonia are may even encourage your cat to spray more as cat urine contains high levels of ammonia. Speak to your pet shop about obtaining an enzyme cleaner to break down the urine crystals. Then use Oakwood Pet Odor Eliminator which contains 'monomer esters' to eliminate a wide range of pet odors on pet coats, bedding, carpets, etc. to keep your home smelling fresh and clean. We also recommend you have a chat to your vet to find a solution to address the spraying problem so wet carpets are a thing of the past.

Using pH balanced pet shampoos and conditioners ensure your pet's coat won't become dry, irritated and itchy. Some shampoos and conditioners upset the natural balance of your pet's coat which may lead to excessive scratching, which in turn will cause abrasions that can allow bacteria and unwanted parasites to invade. All Oakwood shampoos and conditioners are pH balanced and don’t use any harsh chemicals.

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As long you as you take care to properly condition your leather gear, you should clean it whenever you think it is necessary. Oakwood leather cleaning products such as our Saddle Soap and Glycerine Cleaner are gentle yet effective enough to be used as often as required.

We always recommend Oakwood Leather Conditioner after cleaning to ensure the leather is moisturised, rehydrated and softened to protect your gear against everyday wear and tear.

Before cleaning, it is a good idea to remove any dirt, hair or dust from the surface of the leather. Place your saddle onto a saddle rack and strip the saddle of all fittings including the stirrup leathers and breastplate to allow free access to all leather area of the saddle. For English saddles, remove the girth and remove the stirrups, cinch strap and rear flank strap for Western saddles. Gently brush down the saddle with a soft cloth or damp dowel.

To clean the leather saddle, dust off leather and apply Oakwood Liquid Saddle Soap to a soft damp cloth or spray cleaner directly to the saddle. Rub the surface of the leather in a circular motion to remove dirt and allow surface to dry naturally. Wipe down the surface with a clean cloth and allow to dry naturally.

Use a soft bristle brush or toothbrush to effectively clean around hard to reach areas like metal fittings and tooling areas.

After cleaning, use Oakwood’s Leather Conditioner with a soft, clean cloth or sponge, buffing off any excess. For ‘in between’ cleans, use Oakwood’s Leather and Synthetic Wipes.

​Leather saddle and tack gear is expensive, so you want to take care to preserve, maintain and protect your gear by using products that help keep it in its original condition.

Leather care products that are ‘too waxy’ stick only to the surface of leather and attract dust while failing to promote long term protection by not penetrating the lower layers of the leather with necessary moisture.

On the other hand, leather conditioners in liquid form tend to lack natural oil or wax and may not provide the necessary moisturising and nourishing qualities that good quality gear require in order to maintain their natural beauty and longevity.

Oakwood Saddle Soap, Glycerine Cleaner, Leather Oil and Leather Conditioner are specially formulated to give you the perfect finish made simple.

Apply Oakwood’s Leather Conditioner to a soft cloth and rub into the surface of the leather. Allow the conditioner to absorb into the leather surface for about 5 minutes before buffing off with a soft cloth.

Avoid leather conditioner products that contain too much wax as they will not penetrate the leather, instead forming a waxy, waterproof layer that prevents the leather from breathing.

Also be careful of liquid leather conditioners which may contain surfactants and silicons. Although they will clean and shine the leather they will not condition it in the long term.

Instead, use Oakwood Leather Conditioner which is specially blended with the right proportion of ingredients to quickly penetrate the leather for long-term maintenance and protection.

​Absolutely. All Oakwood leather care products are carefully formulated and blended with safe ingredients to ensure all your stitching is protected.

​Oakwood leather treatment products are some of the best in the world, but the Glycerine Leather Cleaner, Leather Oil and Leather Conditioners are not suitable for suede or nubuck leathers.

Oakwood Leather Oil is also not suitable for furniture or automotive upholstery as it is too oily and greasy for fine leather in the home or automobile. Oakwood's Leather Conditioner is a perfect alternative for fine leather upholstery and automobile use.

Regular cleaning and conditioning is the easiest way to prevent mold growth on saddle gear. Damp, humid environments are the ideal places for mold to harvest so always store your gear in a dry, clean storage area. It’s also a good idea to store your saddle in a breathable saddle bag once it’s cleaned to keep it that way. Be sure to remove excess moisture and dry down your gear before storing it after riding in wet conditions. ​

Oakwood leather cleaners are specifically designed to remove mold and mildew from your gear. Regular maintenance using the Oakwood Complete Care System will remove existing mold and prevent further growth. Oakwood Products don’t use any harsh ingredients which can damage the natural structure of your leather so they are safe to use as often as necessary.

Yes. All Oakwood Leather Cleaners and Conditioners are safe to use on exotic leathers. They can be used on any leather product from boots, bags and equestrian tack to motorcycle leathers and golf bags. Always test in an inconspicuous area prior to use.