Dogs are a wonderful addition to the family, but they do produce a lot of droppings. From muddy paw prints on the floor to hair all over the furniture, dogs can really turn a house upside down. Keeping your dog clean is one of the most difficult chores for pet owners. Dogs need baths. This is a fact of life. There are times when giving your dog a bath may seem like too much work. Especially if your dog hates getting wet (or you hate getting wet). Fear not! We’re here to help. In this article, we will teach you how to bathe your dog like a pro vet.
Where Should You Wash Your Dog?
There are several options for where you may bathe your dog. Some folks like to bring their dogs right into the shower with them and go for a ride. A few problems exist with this, however. First of all, most people don’t want a wet dog in the house. Also, some dogs hate getting wet (and will react badly). Finally, showering together is not very efficient (for either of you).
Dog tubs are nice because they give you more room than a bathtub or sink. You also have better water control that way (unlike in the shower).
Be sure that whatever place you choose has good footing and is safe for both of you in case he slips and falls. If your floor is slippery, consider setting down some rubber mats.
The Essentials for Bathing Your Dog
Before you even pick up the shampoo bottle, there are a few things you must do to make sure your dog gets the best bath possible (and stays safe). The first thing is to get everything ready in advance. For example, make sure he has fresh water and toys to keep him busy away from the eyes of children or other animals.
And then there’s that matter of safety equipment-nothing says “I don’t know what I’m doing!” like bath time without proper protection.
Clothing – nobody wants their clothes to be ruined during a dog bath. Although it may seem like it will take an eternity to dry, especially if you have thick cotton garments, make sure you dress for success after your dog is clean. And if you have a long-haired dog or a breed known for its fluffy fur (like poodles), be prepared with a hairdryer to speed up the process.
And of course, don’t forget the shampoo! Make sure you get a major brand that carries an oatmeal formula or one that specifically says hypoallergenic. This will keep your pup from getting itchy and irritated during bath time.
Water Temperature – dogs have very thick coats to insulate them against cold weather so they actually don’t experience changes in temperature as acutely as people do. Because of this, it’s easy to underestimate how much water should be running from the tap
And lastly, make sure your dog is comfortable with being around you when wet. If they are not used to water due to fear or are not good-natured about getting near their owner while wet, it can be difficult to get them out of the bathtub. This increases the risk of injury for both parties significantly!
Washing the Dog’s Face
Most dogs do not enjoy getting their faces washed. This natural inclination should be respected.
First of all, you should avoid splashing water into your dog’s face because this tends to scare them and make the whole process that much more difficult. Instead, use a washcloth to scrub gently around his eyes and ears. Be sure to get underneath the fold of skin for a nice clean finish!
Removing Mats from Your Dog’s Coat
Although it may seem very time-consuming, taking care of mats before they become bigger problems will save both money and frustration in the long run. Try using a mat splitter first as it is less stressful for both of you.
If your dog does not like being brushed or handled too closely, wash first, use the mat splitter second, and then brush last. This will be less intimidating for your dog.
Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears
As with their face, you should avoid water directly inside your dog’s ears. You can clean them by getting some ear cleanser (make sure it is safe for use in dogs) or using a washcloth moistened with warm water to rub around the exterior of their eardrums gently.
Do not go more than one-fourth inch into the ear canal as this can damage sensitive tissue! And always make sure you dry out the space afterward with a cotton ball to prevent bacteria growth (and minimize the risk of infection).
After all this hard work (trust me, I know it can be difficult but it’s totally worth it!), go ahead and give your dog a treat to reward him for being such a good boy during bath time. You deserve one too, you know!
That being said, dogs are escape artists so it is important not to let them inside the tub if you are planning on leaving the room even for just a minute. They will try to slip outside as fast as they can once given the chance! If your dog is particularly small or loves water, this could be much more difficult than expected.
Applying Shampoo On your Dog’s Fur
Once your dog is fully prepared to get into the tub, find a shampoo that works well with your particular type of dog’s fur. Some dogs require special shampoos that work against certain allergens or have other special needs.
For example, if you have a poodle that needs to be bathed regularly, make sure you find one that has no added scents (to avoid skin irritation) and is great for sensitive skin.
If you are unsure about which shampoo to use or what brands are best, ask your local veterinarian. They will be able to offer their expert advice on what type of shampoo is best for your dog. If your vet doesn’t carry the product you’re looking for, they should be able to point you in the right direction.
If you want a name brand that vets typically suggest, check out Royal Canin’s collection of dog shampoo. This brand is particularly good due to its high-quality ingredients and its focus on dogs’ special needs.
Once the shampoo has been applied all over your dog’s body, be sure to rinse it out thoroughly. You don’t want any leftover shampoo on your dog’s fur because this can irritate their skin.
After the first round of shampooing is complete, wet down your dog again but this time use a conditioner to help wash away any tangles or knots in the hair. This helps prevent painful pulling and tugging if they are brushed later on.
Conditioner may not necessarily be necessary depending on how well you think your dog’s fur was rinsed. If you feel like there is still some residual shampoo (and they aren’t completely disgusting at this point), go ahead and apply conditioner one last time to be safe!
The last step before getting them out of the tub is to put a good leave-in conditioner on their fur. This helps prevent tangles and other knots from appearing in the hair as well as keeps it soft and clean for longer.
Once all of the above tasks have been completed, towel off your dog’s fur until they are mostly dry (do not rub). If you use a hairdryer, make sure to set it on low heat and high air power. High airpower dries faster while lower heat helps prevent burning your dog’s skin if they move around too much during this process.
If you want to take things one step further and protect their coat even more (to help keep shedding at bay), consider applying a good quality coat oil or spray after brushing your dog out.
What to Do If Your Dog Hates Being In Water
While many dogs love bath time, there are bound to be a select few who do not enjoy the experience. If your dog falls into this category, you may need to find more creative ways of getting him or her clean!
For example, if they don’t like water (or baths) but aren’t too filthy, try using wipes instead. This way they can get cleaned without slipping around in the tub and getting all mucked up again.
Other options include hosing them off with warm water outside or visiting your local groomer’s shop for help with bathing (and possibly clipping their nails as well). A professional is sure to know how best to handle any issues that come up when bathing your pup.
Of course, it never hurts to ask your local vet if there is anything you can do to help make their bath time a little better. They may be able to offer some advice and tell you which types of products and tools will work best for your particular dog!
Once this process has been completed, make sure all the shampoo and conditioner are completely rinsed out of your dog’s fur (no need to apply more). Towel them dry like normal and then brush them thoroughly with a good grooming brush (to reduce shedding).
How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
Since there is such a wide variety of dog breeds and their grooming needs vary depending on this factor, it can be difficult to set a universal bathing schedule. If your dog is not excessively dirty (perhaps he or she stays inside most of the time) and you brush them almost daily, you may only need to bathe them once or twice a month.
However, if they spend their days outside and do not receive frequent baths, it may be necessary to bathe them more often. Some recommend as many as three times per week but that number varies depending on your dog’s individual needs and preferences!
Why Is It Important to Bathe A Dog?
Bathing your dog is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps keep them looking their best! A good bath can make an old matted coat look new again – especially after it has been conditioned.
Secondly, bathing your dog prevents the growth of germs and bacteria on their skin. By rinsing away dirt and oil that accumulates throughout the week or month, they are left clean and healthy which makes them less likely to spread illnesses to you or other pets around your home.
Finally, regular baths help prevent painful tangles from appearing in rough-haired breeds or long-haired dogs who often have mats inside their fur that need to be brushed out before becoming too tight to undo with bare hands alone.
Conclusion
Bathing your dog may appear to be a difficult process, but it is not as difficult as you may believe. You’ll have your pet smelling and looking beautiful in no time if you follow these suggestions! Have you tried any of these dog washing methods? Tell us how they worked out for you on the comments page below.
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:
Q. How do you bathe a dog who refuses to bathe?
Ans: If your dog is constantly dirty and you can’t seem to ever get them to a bathtub, try using wipes instead. This way they don’t have to fear slipping around in the tub and getting dirty again! There are also many other options such as visiting a groomer or hosing them off with warm water outside.
Q. Is it true that dogs feel better after a bath?
Ans: Absolutely! Bathing your dog is sure to improve their overall mood because it releases any built-up stress and anxiety. After all, no one likes getting clean via the use of soap (kibble works too). Dogs tend to get dirtier than people do so they usually appreciate a little extra pampering.
Q. Can I wash my dog every day with water only?
Ans: Yes, if they do not have any skin conditions. Dogs have a special gland on their nose called the “Molcian Gland” that helps them to get rid of the bad things from the air they breathe in. If you wash your dog with water only every day it will hurt this gland and it can get blocked up. In order to keep this gland clean, you should wash your dog once a week with shampoo for dogs. You can also use 2-3 teaspoons of corn starch on dry hair until it forms a paste on the hair and wait about 5 minutes then brush off.
Q. Is it OK to use baby shampoo on dogs?
Ans: Absolutely not! Using baby shampoo on your dog is not only incredibly dangerous but can also lead to many issues like skin irritation. Instead, always use dog shampoo when you bathe your pup (unless it states otherwise on the product itself). If you’re worried about which type of shampoo to buy, feel free to ask your Vet for advice or recommendations on the best products for your dog.