Ears/nails must be done before or after the bath?

• A. After
• B. Before
• C. During
• D. Never

Answer: (B)

Done before the bath. Ears and nails are easiest and safest to handle when the coat is dry. Nails clip cleanly and predictably when dry; once a nail has been soaked, it becomes softer and more prone to bending or splitting, making it harder to cut safely and increasing the risk of nicking the quick. Ears should be checked and cleaned while the ear canal is dry so you can see and remove wax or debris clearly and address any signs of irritation or infection before water enters the ears. Bathing after these steps minimizes the chance of water complicating ear issues or making nail trimming more difficult. If a medical ear issue is present, you’d want to address it before bathing as well.