Buzz
The frequency of bathing a dog depends on various factors such as breed, size, coat type, and their level of activity. Dogs that spend time outdoors require more frequent baths, while those that stay mostly indoors need fewer baths, typically only a few times a year. Bathing can sometimes be a stressful experience, but with proper preparation and knowledge, you can ensure that both you and your furry friend enjoy a comfortable bath time together.
Steps
Prepare for Dog Bathing
Select a bathing location. For small dogs, you can bathe them in a sink or a bathtub. For larger dogs, a shower or bathtub works better. If the weather is mild, you can also bathe them outside.
- If using a sink or tub, the bottom can become slippery when wet. To help your dog stay calm and stable, place a towel at the bottom, or use a rubber bath mat or non-slip pads.
- It's advisable to choose a confined space. This helps reduce your dog's stress, as it may try to escape if it feels uneasy. If you're bathing them in a tub, you can close the bathroom door. If you're bathing them outdoors, make sure the garden or yard is securely fenced so your dog doesn’t run off.
Prepare for Dog Bathing. Brush your dog thoroughly before bathing. This step is especially important if your dog has thick, long, or double-layered fur. Detangle any knots or mats in their coat.
- If your dog has fleas, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet for a proper treatment or you can handle it at home.
- If your dog's fur is sticky with substances like paint, tar, or resin, use lubricating oil or vegetable oil to clean it and leave it for 24 hours. Dish soap can also be effective for this purpose.
Marie Lin
Pet care expert
Pet care expert
Experts say: Before bathing your dog, brush its fur to remove any tangles. Additionally, you should place cotton balls in your dog's ears to prevent water from entering, especially if your dog has upright ears.
Trim your dog's nails. If necessary, trim your dog’s nails before the bath. This will prevent accidental scratches that might happen if your dog becomes agitated or excitable.
Do not trim the nails too short! Cutting too deeply could damage the nail bed, causing bleeding and infection. If you’re unsure how to trim nails properly, it’s best to let a grooming professional or veterinarian handle it for a small fee.
Prepare the necessary items. Before starting the bath, make sure you have everything ready and within reach. You should have towels, cotton balls, dog shampoo, treats, and a face towel or sponge. If you don’t have a detachable showerhead or faucet, prepare a bucket or hose for rinsing water.
- Open the shampoo bottle or any containers beforehand so you won’t have to struggle with them while bathing your dog.
- If your dog becomes stressed during the bath, ask someone to help. They can hold the dog still while you wash them.
Place cotton balls in the dog’s ears. This will prevent water from getting into their ears, which could lead to an ear infection. This step helps keep the ear canals dry.
Do not push the cotton balls too deep into the ears. You only need to insert them enough to keep them in place so they won’t fall out while bathing your dog.
Remove the dog’s collar. This step is important to ensure their neck gets properly cleaned. If you need to keep a collar on to hold the dog still, use a nylon one. Leather collars may shrink when wet, potentially causing breathing difficulties for your dog.
Bathing the Dog
Set the water temperature to a comfortable level. Dogs, like humans, are sensitive to hot water. Before bathing them, check the water temperature. It should be warm but not too hot. Cold water will make your dog shiver, and this can be especially dangerous for puppies.
Wet your dog’s body with water. Do not wet their face or head as this could cause water to enter their ears or shampoo to get in their eyes. Instead, focus on wetting the coat from the neck down. This step might take longer if your dog has thick fur.
- If you have a detachable showerhead, use it to wet your dog. Adjust the water pressure to a moderate level to avoid startling your dog.
- If using a bucket or container, pour the water carefully over your dog, avoiding the head.
- There are special pet showerheads available, such as the Rinse Ace Pet Shower Deluxe, that can be attached to your shower or faucet for easy use.
Apply shampoo. If your dog has thick or long fur, it’s a good idea to mix the shampoo with water in a small cup before applying it. This helps distribute the shampoo evenly throughout the coat. For dogs with short fur, you can apply the shampoo directly to their body. Gently massage it into the fur to spread it evenly.
- Do not use a washcloth or sponge to scrub the shampoo. Instead, use your hands to apply the shampoo. This also allows you to check your dog’s body for any unusual bumps or signs of infection.
- Do not apply shampoo to your dog’s head or face. If their face is dirty, use a damp towel to gently clean the spots.
- If your dog has long fur, massage the shampoo in the direction of hair growth to prevent tangling.
Clean your dog’s body. Massage the shampoo over your dog’s entire body, excluding the head. Focus on the skin between the legs, belly, tail, groin, and paws.
- Leave the shampoo on your dog’s body for the recommended time indicated on the bottle. Some shampoos contain flea treatment that needs time to absorb for effectiveness.
Wash your dog’s face. If their face is dirty, use a damp towel to gently clean the dirt. Do not use the same towel inside their ears, as this could introduce moisture and cause an ear infection.
- Some dogs may have skin infections under their chin, known as small pimple disease, characterized by small pimples or red bumps. If your dog experiences this, consult a veterinarian for proper cleaning. They may recommend a medicated shampoo or ointment.
- If your dog has wrinkles on their face, use a towel to carefully clean inside the folds.
Rinse thoroughly to remove all shampoo. It is essential to rinse off any leftover shampoo from your dog’s fur. This step can take some time, especially if your dog has thick or double-layered fur. Failing to rinse thoroughly can lead to skin irritation and pH imbalance.
- Do not pour water over your dog’s head or face. When using a bucket or container to rinse, pour the water down their back, not directly on their face. If using a showerhead, avoid spraying water directly on their face.
Dry your dog’s body. You can use a quick-absorbing microfiber towel to dry your dog’s fur, although a regular towel can also do the job. Place the towel on their back and gently blot to dry them off. Avoid rubbing the towel, as this may cause their fur to tangle. Be aware that dogs often shake their bodies to dry themselves, so be prepared for some splashes of water.
- Some people use a blow dryer to dry their dog’s fur. Set the dryer to a low or cool setting to prevent burns. Never point the dryer directly at your dog’s face.
Brush your dog’s fur. If your dog has long or tangled fur, it’s best to brush them while they are still wet to prevent matting. You can also use a detangling spray to help make brushing easier.
Give your dog a treat. To build a positive association with bath time, reward your dog after each bath. Praise them for behaving well, so they learn that bath time is not something to be feared, but rather an enjoyable experience with rewards and compliments.
If your dog becomes overly stressed during the bath, you can offer them some treats while you finish cleaning them.
Brush your dog after the bath.
Clean your dog's ears. Remove the cotton balls from their ears. Make sure to wipe away any earwax to prevent irritation or infections. You can use a specialized ear cleaning solution such as Vetericyn Ear Rinse. Alternatively, you can use witch hazel, hydrogen peroxide, or mix equal parts organic apple cider vinegar and purified water.
- Soak the cotton ball in the ear cleaning solution. Avoid using cotton swabs as they can damage the eardrum if inserted too deeply.
- Gently rub the cotton ball in a circular motion inside the ear. Check if the earwax is removed from the cotton. If no wax remains, the ear is clean. You can also dip the cotton ball in the solution to wipe the outer ear (the large skin area called the ear flap).
- Do not pour or spray the cleaning solution directly into the dog's ear. Many dogs dislike this, and it can create a negative experience during bath time.
- If your dog has hair growing in their ears, you should consult a veterinarian. Some dog breeds grow tangled ear hair, making them prone to infections.
Dry your dog's tears. Some dogs experience tear staining, where tears spill over their face. This is common in short-faced breeds like Poodles or Chihuahuas. You should clean away the tears to prevent irritation or infection.
- You can use silver solution, which is safe to use around the eyes. Silver solution typically comes in spray or liquid form. Apply the solution to a cotton ball and wipe your dog’s eyes clean.
- Apply a small amount of coconut oil below the eyes to prevent skin irritation from the remaining tear stains.
- Many pet stores offer tear stain cleaning solutions and pre-saturated wipes. These products are easy to use, just ensure they are hypoallergenic and do not contain tylosin tartrate. This antibiotic is not safe for use on dogs or cats.
- Breeds like Poodles and Lions may have a condition called ingrown eyelashes, where their lashes grow inward instead of outward. This can irritate their eyes and cause tear staining. If you notice excessive tearing in your dog, consult your vet. It could be due to their facial structure, but it's important to ensure their safety.
- Do not use hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar, makeup remover, eye drops meant for humans, or magnesium oxide to clean your dog’s eyes.
Give your dog some extra treats. Once your dog is completely clean, reward them with a treat. Praise your dog for good behavior, pet them, and play with them to reinforce the positive experience of bath time.
Learn About Hygiene Principles
Avoid over-bathing your dog. Generally, dogs do not require frequent baths unless they have skin infections or unpleasant odors. A bath once a month is usually enough to keep them smelling fresh. Over-bathing can irritate their skin, causing frequent scratching.
- Brush your dog's coat regularly. This helps maintain cleanliness between baths and is beneficial for their skin and fur.
- If your dog has a skin infection, you should consult a veterinarian for advice on bathing and treatment.
Choose the right shampoo. A gentle dog shampoo is the best option. Look for a shampoo with a neutral pH balance of around 7. Avoid shampoos with artificial fragrances and dyes, as these can irritate your dog's skin.
- Avoid using human shampoo on your dog. Dog skin has a different pH balance compared to human skin, and human shampoos can disrupt this balance. This could lead to bacterial, parasitic, or viral infections.
- Oatmeal-based shampoos are a popular choice for dog baths. If you're unsure which shampoo to use, this is a safe option for your pup.
- If your dog has a rash or other skin issues, they may scratch frequently, further irritating their skin. In such cases, you might consider using tea tree oil shampoo to help soothe the skin. Be careful not to let the shampoo come into contact with your dog's mouth, as tea tree oil is toxic if ingested. Consult with your vet for recommendations on medicated shampoos for dogs with dermatological conditions.
- Some shampoos help prevent flea infestations. Look for those containing pyrethrin, pyrethrum, or lemon oil.
Do not touch the anal glands unless you know how to do it safely. Dogs often have small sacs near their anus, called anal glands. Some people choose to express these glands during a bath. If your veterinarian approves and you know how to do it safely, you can perform this during bath time. Otherwise, avoid touching this area.
- If the anal glands are infected or irritated, consult your veterinarian.
Help your dog get used to bath time. If you've recently adopted a dog, they may be fearful of water. You can help your dog associate bath time with positive experiences by using a few simple tricks.
- If your dog is afraid of baths, you can start by placing them in a dry bathtub (or sink). Don't turn on the water immediately. Speak to your dog in a calm voice and offer treats or toys. This step helps them build a positive association with bath time.
- Gently pour warm water over your dog's body. After each bath, reward them with a small treat.
- For puppies, start bathing them when they are around five weeks old. This will help them develop a positive attitude and become more comfortable with water as they grow.
Tips
- Talk to your dog to calm them down.
- Thoroughly clean your dog's paws to remove dirt and bacteria buildup.
- Brush your dog's fur before bathing them. This will make it easier to comb their coat after the bath and prevent matting.
- Rinse off any leftover shampoo to avoid skin irritation.
- NEVER allow water to get into your dog's ears, as this can cause irritation and discomfort!
- Be prepared to get wet! It’s best not to wear your favorite clothes when bathing your dog; old jeans and a t-shirt will do.
- Ensure that water or soap does not get into your dog's nose, ears, or eyes.
- On warm days, you can bathe your dog outside in a children's pool.
- You can bathe small dogs in a tub or basin.
- If your dog is uncomfortable, don’t force them to bathe!
Warning
- If your dog develops rashes or signs of an allergic reaction, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Never dye your dog’s fur. This can lead to serious health issues.
Things You’ll Need
- A bathtub or sink (for small dogs)
- A towel
- Pet shampoo
- Water
- A sponge or washcloth
- A bucket or water container, or a detachable showerhead or hose
- Cotton balls
- A dog brush/comb
