Is it neglect to not bathe your dog
How to Bathe a Dog the Right Way, According to a Veterinarian
Giving your dog regular baths is an essential part of ongoing grooming and good hygiene. Of course, baths help remove visible dirt your dog earned through happy walks and romps through natural environments. But in addition to keeping your dogs coat clean, bathing also helps keep it healthy and free from parasites. While bathing is important for all dogs, not all require bathing at the same frequency with factors like their breed, fur, and environment all affecting the appropriate interval between baths. Once you determine how many scrub downs your pet needs, make those baths as pleasant and stress free as possible using these expert tips for how to bathe a dog, backed by a veterinarian.
How to prepare to bathe your dog:
Before you even turn on the water, take the time to set up an environment where your dog will be as comfortable as possible, and will associate the experience positively. One way to do that is to prepare your dogs coat so the process doesnt trigger discomfort.
Its recommended that you take the time to brush your dogs coat, especially if theyre longer-haired pups that get frequent tangles, says Jennifer Freeman, PetSmart resident veterinarian and pet care expert. Tangled hair can mat once you start bathing your dog, making it an unpleasant experience for your pet.
Where to bathe your dog:
First, youre going to need to determine the right place to bathe your dog. As a starting point, Consider the size and breed of your dog to ensure you have space and to best determine whether to bathe your dog indoors or outside, Freeman says.
For particularly small dogs, a sink might work best. More likely, its a bath tub, which can accommodate a range of breed sizes.
Bathing your dog outside instead of indoors might be a solid choice for certain breeds in some seasons.
Ideal water conditions for bathing a dog:
Especially if youre bathing your dog outside where hoses might run cold or hot be mindful of water temperature and pressure.
Whether its a hose or shower head, make sure water pressure is low and the water is lukewarm, Freeman says.
Water should be warm enough for your dog to be comfortable, and also to get the job done; colder water doesnt clean as well. (If you wouldnt love a cold bath, consider that your pet probably wouldnt either.)
Supplies youll need to bath your dog:
Get ready to bathe your dog by dressing in comfortable, casual clothes you dont mind getting dirty and soaked. Then gather all the supplies youll need and keeping them handy. (Much better to do it now than to try to find missing items when your dog is shaking water all over you!)
Youre going to need absorbent towels, including an extra one for your pet to stand on when hes still wet after the bath. Youll need shampoo meant for dogs (you can ask your vet for the best brand for your pup). Get yourself a set of combs and brushes right for your dogs breed and coat type.
Bathing your dog:
Now youre ready to go. Test the water first to make sure its lukewarm. Then, make sure to fully saturate your dogs coat; this may be challenging for especially thick or water-resistant coats.
Next, shampoo your pet, taking care to avoid sensitive areas including his eyes and face. Work the shampoo into a lather, adding water as necessary. Massage your dog as you rub in the shampoo, in just the same way youd have your own head massaged at the shampoo bowl in a salon: it should be perfectly pleasant! Let the shampoo sit on your dogs coat for several minutes before thoroughly rinsing with water.
Drying your dog after the bath:
No matter where you bathe your dog, dont forget drying an essential part of the bathing process to keep your pup comfortable and healthy.
Regardless of where you bathe your dog indoors or out its important to dry him with a towel, Freeman says. Dogs with heavier coats should be dried thoroughly to prevent damp spots in the undercoat which can lead to hot spots. This is a common dog skin disorder also known as acute moist dermatitis; it causes sores and pain.
Safety tips for bathing a dog:
Whether your dog regularly enjoys baths or is always skittish about the whole prospect, youre going to want to line up some safety measures to keep bath time safe and secure.
Unless your dog can sit still during a bath or youre able to restrain them with your hand, its important to make sure you have somewhere to tether them if need be to avoid them escaping mid-bath, Freeman notes. Never leave your dog unattended.
She also warns pet bathers to make sure to thoroughly wash off any leftover shampoo. Not doing so can lead to contact dermatitis or hot spots, moist and infected lesions that itch, Freeman says.
With these tips in mind, youll be ready for a safe, successful, and stress-free dog-bathing process.
How to bathe a dog, according to veterinarians
When bathing a dog, remember to take things slow and attend to your dogs needs as you go. Every dog is different for some, bath time might be enjoyable, but for others, it might be more stressful. Follow these steps for a good bath time.
1. Start with a good brushing
Before you dive into the wet stuff, take the time to give your pup a good brushing. This will help you remove any large dirt and debris, as well as shedding fur. Brushing your dog regularly is a good practice for a healthy coat, but it also helps make bathtime a bit easier.
2. Prepare your dog (and the bath)
While you allow the bath to fill up with some lukewarm water, place cotton in your dogs ears. A dogs precious floppy ears can soak up water, and if youre not careful, trapped moisture can cause all sorts of problems like ear infections. Loosely place one or two cotton balls in each ear.
If you are bathing your dog outside, note that hose water can be surprisingly chilly. Preparing a basin of water beforehand to warm in the sun is a good idea.
3. Wet your dogs coat
Dogs have sensitive skin, so with lukewarm or warm water, gently wet your pups coat from the rear forward, slowly working your way up to your dogs face.
Be careful to never pour water directly over your dogs head. Instead, use a wet washcloth or towel to dampen the area around the eyes, ears, and nose.
4. Add shampoo and lather
Start with the paws and work up the body, lathering the shampoo deep into the coat with your fingers. Avoid shampooing the face directly. Instead, use wipes or a wet cloth to clean those areas to avoid eye and ear irritation. Pay special attention to areas prone to more grime, like the feet, groin, and rear end.
Always be sure to check the instructions on your dog shampoo. Some brands need to be diluted first or otherwise, you may end up irritating your dogs skin.
5. Rinse well
Starting with the top of the back of the head and neck, carefully and thoroughly rinse all traces of shampoo from your dogs coat and then rinse one more time. Check the water for discoloration or any signs of pests (such as fleas) that may have been trapped in your dogs coat.
6. Apply dog conditioner & rinse (optional)
While optional, dog conditioner can help prevent mats and tangles and is also great for your dogs skin. Follow the same steps with the conditioner as you did with the shampoo, avoiding the face.
Double-rinse your dog again to remove the last trace of shampoo and conditioner. Any lingering soap might irritate as it dries, so be very thorough.
7. Remove cotton balls & dry them off
With a few thick towels, dry off all the excessive water, paying close attention to the face, paws, underbelly, and any other skin folds. Once theyre not dripping wet, you can let them air out on their own, but be prepared for the classic dog shake to dry off.
If your dog is comfortable with the noise, you can use a hair dryer on the cool setting to remove even more water, which is a good idea if you are indoors.
Carefully remove the cotton balls from your dogs ears. If you have ear wipes, now is a great time to clean out those cute ears.
If youre feeling confident and youve noticed your dogs paws clicking around the house, go ahead and trim those nails now that the bath has softened them.
8. Brush your dog one more time
To knock free any remaining loose hair, give their coat one more brushing to have your pup looking their best.
Reward their good behavior. Your good boy or girl just went through a lot, so give them a nice treat and lots of love and affection.
How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
Many pet parents find themselves asking questions after adopting a new pup, including how often they should bathe their dog. The answer can be tricky since it depends on the dog and other factors.
There are no hard and fast rules for bathingbut how often will depend on many things, including the breed of dog, their coat type, lifestyles, and the time of year.
Key Takeaways
- Your pups breed will be a major determining factor when it comes to how often they need full baths.
- Products matterespecially if your dog is managing a health or skin condition. Always work with your veterinarian.
- Dog odor tends to be more obvious in the summer versus the winter months.
How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
Bathing and grooming are two related but different things. All dogs need regular grooming. This includes trimming their toenails, brushing their coat out, using de-shedding tools for dogs with thicker coats, and cleaning their ears and folds of their skin.
Some dogs will need more frequent grooming than others. However, most dogs will benefit from a weekly once over to shorten their nails, clean their ears, and take care of small snags and tangles in their fur. A full bathincluding a wet down, shampoo, and rinse varies. Bathing too frequently can lead to dry coats and skin problems, while not enough bathing can lead to health problems and a stinky pup. The happy medium may range from bathing your dog once a week to only a few times a year.
Dog Breed and Dog Coat Type
Your dogs breed will be a huge determining factor for how often to bathe them, and how much work this process entails. It isnt as simple as fur length, as hairless dogs like the Xoloitzcuintli need quite a bit of coat care even though they dont have much fur. Other dogs, such as the Puli, have super long coats. They surprisingly need little careespecially after their coats have been corded. Double-coated dogs like Labradorsoften need more de-shedding work than they do bathing, and long-haired pups like Collies tend to get more tangles and mats which require regular care.
As a rule, the larger the dog and the longer the coat, the more effort will be needed to keep things under control, although this may not mean bathing, but more general grooming and coat care. Be sure to research the breed (or mix of breeds) to find out its needs before adopting. As a responsible pet parent, you need to know what to expect.
Health Conditions
If your pup has any health conditionsparticularly those that affect the skinyour veterinarian will likely have additional guidelines to consider when developing a bathing schedule. Be mindful that medicated shampoos may be necessary to treat some skin conditions, and that these dogs may need to be bathed either more or less frequently than the general breed recommendations.
Using the wrong product on a dog with unhealthy skin could make matters worse, so if you are noting any changes in your pets skin, be sure to check it out with your veterinarian before opting for a product.
Seasonality
The time of year will also affect how often to bathe and what products to use. During the warm, wet months of the year, many dogs are prone to greasy coats and doggy odor.Skin allergies will also be more in focus, with scratches and sores developing. Parasites such as fleas and ticks are also more common, further irritating the skin. This means that more frequent bathsoften with medicated productsare necessary.
Dogs that swim in the warmer months may not need as many baths but will need a good rise in clean water post swim. During the winter, dogs typically arent as dirty, but are more prone to dry skin which can be itchy and irritating, so a moisturizing shampoo is necessary. The level of bathing will depend on the amount of dirt and grime on your pooch.
Age and Lifestyle
Puppies and young adults tend to be experts when it comes to finding ways to get dirty. As a result, these dogs often need more baths.
As dogs age, they tend to become more inactive. Some dogs prefer to stay indoors rather than play outside. Senior pups typically do not need as much bathingusually just enough to keep any body odor at bay. You can also invest in some grooming wipes to keep them smelling fresh between baths.
Senior dogs also have restricted activity and may have trouble keeping themselves clean. They may require more intensive grooming, as they may not be able to do it on their own. Some of these pups may start to show health issues, such as urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence can cause dogs to easily soil their coat. If they are managing health conditions, daily wipes and spot cleaning may be necessary.
How Often Should You Brush Your Dog?
Brushing should be done daily for long-coated breeds and at least weekly for dogs with a short coat. Brushing goes a long way to keep fur and underlying skin healthy. Dogs with thick coats will need to have the undercoat pulled out with de-shedding tools, while dogs prone to tangles will need careful dematting.
Most mixed-breed dogs will benefit from brushing a few times a week. When in doubt, brush it out.
Dog Bathing Products to Have on Hand
Before stocking up on bathing supplies, chat with your veterinarian to be sure they are right for your pooch.
Some great products to keep on hand include:
Professional Grooming Considerations
Many pet parents take their pups regularly to have a groomer do all the heavy hitting. If you prefer a particular haircut for your pup, or its time to do a seasonal shave down, these tasks are often best left to a groomer. If you notice your dog has tight knots or has rolled in something sticky like bubblegum, groomers have special tools to deal with the situation safely.
Whether you want to groom your dog or have a professional take care of them, good coat care is not only cosmetic, but also critical to the health of your pup.
Featured Image: iStock.com/Su Arslanoglu
WRITTEN BY
Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVPVeterinarian
Sandra Mitchell is a 1995 graduate of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine.Since graduation, she has worked in many fields...
