Grooming your dog is an important part of having a dog. You have to keep them clean not only to keep your home from getting dirty but to keep them healthy and safe.
Read on to learn our tips for bathing your dog at home. A little time and preparation can go a long way in keeping your dog looking and feeling its best.
Preparing Your Dog for a Bath
Before you even get your dog into the tub, you should take a little time preparing your dog and the area. You’ll want to have some towels and pet-friendly shampoo within reach to make things easy for you once you turn the water on.
You should also take some time preparing your dog before getting them wet. Take your dog out and give them a thorough brushing to help remove any loose fur. This will help to keep your tub much cleaner. It can also make your dog more comfortable. For long-haired dogs, any loose hair can turn into tangles once you get them wet. This will make the job of cleaning them much more difficult, so prepare a bit beforehand to save yourself the hassle.
Setting up the Bath
You’ve already prepared your towels and pet shampoo near the tub. What else is there to set up? You can consider if you’re even in the right place. Small dogs can usually be handled in the sink. Keeping them in a smaller area can make the job of bathing them a bit easier.
If your dog is a bit larger you can bath them in the tub without issue. Any giant dog breeds can be bathed outside as long as the weather is nice. Wherever you decide to bathe your dog, just be sure you anticipate their needs. Keeping plenty of towels on hand to dry them will keep them from getting water all over your home. You might even consider putting a small space heater in the room you’ll be bathing them. Just be sure to keep the space heater out of your dog’s reach and preferably across the room to keep them safe from any electric shocks.
Supplies You Will Need
First things first, be sure you’re wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or wet. Your dog is probably going to splash at least a little water on you, or you might have to get in the tub with them if they are very stubborn. Dress comfortably because you might have to clean yourself after cleaning your dog.
You’ll also need some pet-friendly shampoo. If you are unsure which one is best to use, you can ask your vet what they recommend. They might even have their recommended shampoo on hand for purchase. You’ll also want a few towels to dry your dog off with. Once they are dry, a good brushing helps them look their best.
How to Bathe Your Dog at Home
Once you’ve gathered all your supplies, it’s time to actually start cleaning. Get your water just lukewarm. Too cold and you can give your dog a chill, while water that’s too hot can burn or overheat them. Once the water is just right, try to really saturate their coat. This might be more difficult for dogs who have water-repellent coats, but a thorough rinsing will be able to saturate them.
Then, lather them with their special shampoo. Work the shampoo into their coat and really try to give them a nice massage while you do it to remove any dirt. Avoid getting soap in their face though. Continue working the lather for a few minutes then begin rinsing them. Start at the top of their back and let the water rinse away all the soap. Be sure to get their underside as well.
Drying Your Dog
The final part of bathing your dog is drying them. It’s important to towel dry them because they can become too chilly if left to dry naturally. Dogs who have very thick coats will also need extra care as they can develop hot spots if left wet. Hot spots can develop into painful sores, so do your best to dry them directly after their bath.
Safety Tips
Now you know the process of bathing your dog. Here are a few extra tips to help bath day go a bit more smoothly:
● Never leave your dog unattended. They can get into other cleaning products or cosmetics.
● Consider tethering your dog if they are very skittish. The last thing you want is for your dog to freak out and hurt you or themselves during their bath.
● Start bathing your dog at a young age. This can help alleviate any fear of being bathed.
● Protect their ears. You obviously don’t want to pour water directly into their ears. If you dog will let you, try to place cotton balls in their ears to make certain no water gets caught in there.
Bathing your dog is a necessary part of dog ownership but keeping a positive and firm attitude will make the experience much better for you and your dog.