Knowing when and how to bathe your dog has become some kind of art for any dog owner. Even if it’s true that dogs don’t need regular baths, they definitely benefit from a good wash every now and then.
Even if you decide to leave dog bathing to a professional groomer, it’s still helpful to know the ABC of dog bathing. You never know when you might have to do it yourself. Pets can get quite dirty outside of business hours, and sometimes it’s simply more convenient (and affordable) to handle their grooming by yourself.
If you’re ready, here’s a proper, step-by-step guide on how to bathe a dog, including tips on what to wash dogs with and where.
Why should you bathe your dog?
Like many other types of grooming, like brushing or nail trimming, dog bathing also keeps your pet as healthy as possible. Rinsing them also removes dirt and debris from their coat, and dog shampoo can definitely help soothe and protect their skin barrier. When it comes to keeping dogs safe from bacteria and infections, their skin health is key.
Preparing your dog’s bath
If you’re still curious about how to wash your dog, the process can be much easier if you make the needed preparations first.
Gather the needed supplies
If you’re still wondering what to wash your dog with, you can use a chosen shampoo formulated especially for canines (if your pet has sensitive skin, it could benefit even more from a hypoallergenic formula). It’s also important to stay away from human shampoo on dogs since it can irritate their skin. You can gather other basic dog-bathing items, too.
Choose a proper location
Where you should bathe your dog depends a lot on its size. A small dog, for instance, fits in a sink (but make sure you cover the drain if you have a garbage disposal). Larger dogs need increasingly more space, which makes the bathtub quite a viable option. If you have enough outdoor space and you’re able to leash your pet, this can also be a proper choice.
Get set up
It’s very helpful to have your supplies and towels within reach before you start the bath. If you’re in the bathroom, shutting the door can be a good idea, just in case your dog wants to bolt before you can dry them off.
Dog bathing supplies
There are a few items you might need in order to wash your pup:
- dog shampoo
- a pitcher for rinsing
- towels
- dog treats
- a nonslip mat
- dog conditioner
- a hair dryer
How to bathe him, step-by-step
Brush the dog
Before you rinse your dog, make sure you brush them to remove all the excess dirt and mats. Otherwise, matted hair could hold more water and irritate the skin.
Set water temperature
The perfect bath water temperature for dogs is warm, but not too hot. Setting just the right temperature is quite mandatory, especially for canines who aren’t exactly thrilled to get bathed.
Rinse your dog
Make sure you rinse your dog’s body, offering the needed praise and treats to keep them calm and happy.
Apply dog shampoo
Before lathering your pet, make sure you check the instructions on the bottle. There are certain shampoos that need to be diluted with water. Try to apply the cleanser and don’t forget to focus on all the easy-to-overlook parts, like their paws and other sensitive areas. Make sure you keep the shampoo out of their eyes and nose.
Rinse shampoo thoroughly
Also, make sure you rinse all the parts of your pet’s body at least once. The last thing you want is to miss a little bit of shampoo hidden beneath their fur. Again, try not to forget other important areas, like the paws, armpits, and belly.
And since you are asking, “Do dogs need conditioner?” well, it’s only optional. Dog conditioner could be a wonderful idea if your canine has long hair or even dry skin. You only want to make sure to fully rinse it off your pet’s coat. Apply conditioner at this step, especially if you’re using it.
Dry your dog
If you’re still wondering how to dry a dog, you just have to towel them off as soon as the bath is over. They might shake a few times to rid their bodies of all the excess water, so you need to be prepared.
Also, if you’ve been wondering whether or not you can use a hair dryer on your dog, the answer is yes, as long as you keep the dryer in a cool setting to efficiently avoid burning your pet. Keep in mind your dog might not like the feeling or the sound of the dryer.
I mean, humans can barely stand it either! Consider acclimating them by turning the hair dryer on for shorter periods of time in their presence, prior to the bath.
How often should you do it?
How often you get to bathe your dog solely depends on your individual pet. Some factors, such as hair length and various activities, play a huge role. As a general rule, dogs don’t need to be bathed more than once a week.
This also goes for puppies. But if you want to prevent your pet from smelling between baths, you should brush their coat on a regular basis, wipe their paws, belly, and all the other dirty areas with a damp cloth, and keep their bedding, toys, and other accessories as clean as possible.
How to wash their face
Unless the dog’s face is particularly dirty, you don’t really have to wash it. Soap can aggravate irritation in sensitive areas, such as the eyes and nose. Instead, you can wipe their face with a damp towel or face wipes to effectively remove excess dirt.
How to bathe the dog that loathes water
If you have been wondering why do dogs hate baths so much, we don’t know either. But luckily, we know a thing or two about how to convince them that are definitely worth trying. You can teach your dog to enjoy water when they’re still puppies. They’re known to be a bit more open to new experiences. If they don’t like it, here are a couple of tips on how to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
- Check the water to see if it’s too cold or too hot
- give them plenty of treats as a sign of encouragement and love
- use a nonslip mat to stop them from slipping and sliding
- desensitize their experience with bathing by welcoming them into a dry tub while offering plenty of treats
- as soon as they get comfortable in the tub, turn the water on for a few seconds at a time
Why do they get zoomies after any proper bath?
For now, there’s no research solving the mystery of why some dogs get a post-bath burst of energy, also known as “the zoomies.” However, there’s one explanation that could be plausible, which is the fact that running around dries them off. It’s also possible that baths make most of them very tense, and they feel deep relief when the experience is over.
Whatever it may be, if you’re wondering how to give a dog a bath because you’ve never done it, you should expect a possible energy surge when it’s all done.
If you found this article useful, we also recommend checking: When Paws Clash: 10+ Cute Dog Breeds That Just Don’t Click
