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Dog Bathing


Even for owners with a short-haired pet, regular dog bathing is important for several reasons. Of course one of the most important reasons is simple hygiene. Because dogs love to participate in activities like rolling in dirt or other smelly things out in the yard, they are prone to getting dirty very easily. This poses all kinds of potential problems, from them tracking dirt and mud into the house to bringing in the smell of a dead animal that has been rolled on.

 

Other reasons include keeping away flea and tick infestations, as well as reducing allergies and shedding. Just by washing your dog a weekly or monthly bath, you can help to prevent the start of fleas and ticks that will eventually jump from one pet to another and can even end up in your carpet and on your furniture. Giving them a good cleaning also helps to reduce allergens and excessive shedding.


Dog bathing also allows an owner to get a feel for the overall health of the dog. Especially once your pet begins to age, it is important to check them for skin growths, skin allergies, and injuries to the paws and legs. Bath time is the perfect opportunity to perform this task!

 

Here are some helpful tips to know about dog bathing:

 

How Often: If the dog has been messing in something smelly, like deer droppings, it is important to bathe the dog immediately, to prevent any health hazards. Otherwise, short-haired dogs should receive a bath every 2-3 months, while medium to long haired breeds may need a dog bath every month to remove excess debris from their fur.

 

Remember that unless you have a reason to bathe your dog regularly, it is best to follow the recommended guidelines, as dogs and especially a puppy will often have sensitive skin that can be irritated by repeated washings. As well, most dogs have waterproof or protective elements that are naturally present on the coat of fur and these properties can be drastically reduced by too many baths.

 

Where: If it is warm outside, you can easily bathe your dog right in your own backyard with a hose or bucket. If you live in a colder climate area, then you will need to bathe your dog indoors during the winter months. This should be done in a bathtub, a utility tub or even at a dog grooming store. If you don’t have the finances to pay for the services of having someone else bathe your dog, many of these stores have a self service area, where they will allow you to wash your own dog for a small fee.

 


Steps for Dog Bathing:

  1. Have all bathing equipment ready before you begin the process. This should include shampoo that is best for your dog’s situation, a brush, cotton balls, towels on the floor, extra towels for drying the dog, the bathtub, bucket of water or utility tub filled and a dryer set up in a safe location, if this is necessary. If you are using a tub, you may also need to place a mat down to keep them from slipping.
  2. Before starting the bath, place cotton balls in the dog’s ears. This will prevent water from entering the canal.
  3. Start the dog bathing by wetting your pooch down from head to toe with just water.
  4. From here, place enough dog shampoo onto the dog or into your hands so that the entire area of the dog will be covered.
  5. Lather the shampoo in, making sure you get their neck, legs, undercarriage, hind end and tail. Remember that most dogs do not like water or soap in their faces, so be especially careful when shampooing near the eyes or muzzle.
  6. Depending on the type of soap you are using the directions may ask you to wait a few minutes to let the medicinal agents soak in. This is especially true with flea or allergy shampoo.
  7. You can then begin rinsing the dog. This may take several buckets of water, since most dogs have thick, dense hair that will take some time to remove all of the soap.
  8. Always take the time to dry your dog, either with a towel, or with a hair dryer if they are small enough or it is cold outside.
  9. If the dog has long hair, it might be best to go ahead and brush them once they are partially dry. This will remove any excess hair that has come loose during the dog bathing process.

For suggestions and tips on shampoo and other grooming supplies, check out our page on Dog Grooming Supplies


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