Should I bathe my dog in hot or cold water

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

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Can I Bathe My Dog in Cold Water? Its Not Recommended

Its best to avoid bathing your dog in cold water for several reasons. The primary reason is that its an uncomfortable experience for your dog. This uncomfortable experience may cause them to resist bath time in the future.

If you regularly hose your dog down outside, you might be wondering if bathing your dog in such cold water is a good idea.

Cold Water Baths for Dogs

Weve all done it: grabbed a bottle of dog shampoo and headed out to the yard to give the dog a bath outside.

Its understandable, especially if youre picky about making a mess inside. But is it really the best way to bathe your dog?

When bathing a dog, there are a couple things to keep in mind to make the experience as pleasant as possible.

Comfort

Imagine being sprayed down with a cold hose in the middle of winter. That would be really uncomfortable!

Well, dogs dont appreciate it any more than humans do, so unless the weather is really hot, the dog is going to prefer lukewarm water if possible.

Because many dogs already dislike bathtime, its important to make the experience as stress-free as possible, which means paying attention to water temperature.

If you dont have access to running warm water where youre bathing your dog, you can use a container of warm (not hot) water. Dip a pitcher or large drinking cup in the container and gently pour it over the dog for a relaxing bath.

Efficiency

In addition to considering the comfort of your dog, using warm water will get him cleaner and will also better rinse out soap residue.

Warm water is better at breaking up dirt and grime and will also cause the shampoo to lather better.

Failing to thoroughly rinse out the shampoo, or using cold water, which causes some to be left behind, can cause problems such as:

Skin sensitivity
Dandruff
Dermatitis
Dry skin

Just like you wouldnt wash your own hair with cold water, its best not to use cold water on a dog if it can be avoided.

If the weathers hot and you want to cool the dog off, a cool water rinse once the shampoos already out might be a refreshing treat. This depends on the dog and whether he likes water or not, though.

Bathing in Winter

Bathing a dog in winter can present specific challenges, especially if youre used to cleaning your dog outside rather than in the house.

Bathe Inside

If at all possible, do not bathe your dog outside during winter.

It will not only be extremely unpleasant for the dog, but it can lead to illness if hes outside in the cold soaking wet.

Youll also be exposing yourself to wet clothes out in the cold and will likely try to hurry and finish the job to get back inside, rather than taking your time and doing it properly.

Self-Serve Dog Washes

If bathing your dog inside your home is entirely out of the question, check into self-serve dog washes, which are in a lot of pet supply shops.

Similar to a self-serve car wash, they have all the space, equipment, and supplies you will need to wash and dry your dog without either of you having to freeze, and without you having to make a mess in your house.

Dry Completely

Whether you bathe your dog inside your home, at a self-serve place, or outside, make sure to dry him off completely right away.

A wet dog in winter is susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite, among other things.

Dog Bathing Tips

Most dog owners arent exactly excited when bathtime rolls around, and neither are their dogs. These tips will help make the process as quick and painless as possible.

Test the Water Temperature

Cold water is uncomfortable for the dog and doesnt clean as well, as discussed above.

On the other hand, water thats too hot, of course, can also be uncomfortable.

To make sure the water is at a safe and comfortable temperature, test it with your elbow.

Use a Gentle Stream

Its not uncommon for dogs to find the harsh streams of water from hoses or showerheads scary.

Instead, use a pitcher of water to gently pour over the dog.

Alternately, block the stream from the hose or shower head with your hand to soften the impact.

Gather Everything in Advance

Since most pet owners and their dogs want to get bath time over with as quickly as possible, its a good idea to make sure you have everything youll need gathered in one place before you even bring the dog in.

The last thing you want is for the dog to be stuck in the tub longer than necessary while you wander around looking for shampoo or a towel.

Having towels handy for the end of the bath is also an excellent way to prevent a wet dog from escaping while you find a towel so your house doesnt end up smelling like a wet dog.

Use the Right Shampoo

Make sure to use a shampoo specifically formulated for dogs since their pH balance is different from humans.

If your dog has allergies or sensitive skin, take that into account when selecting a shampoo. Keep an eye on the skin during and after the bath to make sure there are no adverse reactions.

Get Help

If your dog really hates baths, and you struggle to keep him in the tub, it might be a good idea to get someone to help out.

One of you can be in charge of holding and calming the dog, while the other focuses on the washing.

If the dog is very strong or uncooperative, it might be necessary to leash him, tying the leash to a stable object to prevent movement.

Make it Fun

Part of the reason that so many dogs hate baths is because some of them naturally hate water. But an arguably larger part of the reason is because so many pet owners hate giving their dogs baths.

If you stress out when giving your dog a bath, or make a big deal of chasing and catching him to put him in the tub, its no wonder why they learned to hate it.

On the other hand, if you stay calm and use positive reinforcement, your dog can learn that bathtime is not a big deal.

If you save a favorite treat thats reserved only for the end of bathtime, he may even come to see baths as a positive experience.

Hire a Pro

If your dog is too strong for you to control, you dont have an appropriate place to bathe him, or if you just hate playing the bad guy and bathing him, calling a professional dog groomer is a good solution.

There are all kinds of groomers with varying prices, so youre sure to find one in your price range that will work best for your schedule and your dogs personality.

Traditional groomers have locations where you drop the dog off and pick him back up when hes done. You can also choose to wait there for him if you dont want to leave him alone.

Mobile groomers, often found in larger cities, have dog grooming vans that park outside of your home. This is a convenient option if youre busy or dont have a vehicle.

There are even some mobile groomers who will show up at your home with all the supplies they need and wash the dog in your home. This works well for anxious dogs who dont do well with strange places like the groomers shop.

Recommended For You

Winter dog baths: 7 ways to keep your dog clean when its cold

Use a blow dryer after winter dog baths to keep your dog from getting cold.

Bathing your dog regularly is an essential element of dog care. And the need to keep your dog healthy and clean doesnt stop during cold weather.

Experts suggest pet parents bathe their pooch at least once every four to six weeks, depending on the breed. Bathing helps protect your dog from infections and diseases.

Although abiding by this healthy practice is no big deal in summer (especially if your dog loves to play in the water), its challenging during the winter months.

When the temperature drops, laziness and chills get the better of our dogs just as they do for us.

As a result, keeping your dog clean may become the toughest task you can accomplish.

So, here in this brief guide, weve brought you seven possible options for winter dog baths.

Most options provide an alternative to washing your dog using a traditional bath. However, some provide hacks you can implement with regular baths or showers.

Lets check them.

Warm up the bathwater

Perhaps the first and most obvious approach for a comfortable winter dog bath is to use warm water. If you prefer bathing your dog in a tub, fill it with warm water.

Note that we do not mean lukewarm water. The temperature of the water should be approximately 98-104 F or 37C-40C. You can check the temperature using a thermometer.

To keep your dog comfortable after a walk, ensure the water temperature is between 86-95F or 30C-35C. Higher temperatures can make their heart beat faster.

The same applies if your dog has had a lot of physical activity just ten minutes before the bath. You should also keep the temperature low if your dog has a bulky structure. Their body heat will also contribute to the overall heat generated.

Dont forget to double-check the temperature using a nozzle.

Spray some water from the prepared bathtub on your skin. If the water feels burning hot, give it some time to cool or add cold water.

Try dry shampoo

Dry shampooing refers to a waterless bath. In this bathing mode, you will not expose your dog to water.

You can pick a good waterless shampoo from this list of top ten.

And most come in liquid or spray form. Some even come in powder form.

Just apply the product to your dogs coat following the instructions on the packaging. Then, brush the coat thoroughly.

Note that waterless shampoos are all chemicals. Although they are an excellent time-saver and an option for a winter dog bath, we do not recommend repeated usage.

Give a towel bath

By towel bath, we refer to light cleaning.

Wet your dogs towel and use it to clean its ears, eyes, and nose. Gently rub the damp towel over your dogs paws to clean them.

You can also rub the wet, warm towel over their coat. Do not apply any soap or shampoo.

This is perhaps the best method for a winterdog bath because youre achieving two goals at once.

Youre balancing both emotional and physical dog care.

Your dog will remain healthy and protected with a towel bath. And at the same time, your dog will be thankful to you for not pushing it into a shower on a cold day.

When bathing your dog, prepare all necessary supplies and be careful not to get water in their ears. Use dog-safe shampoo and dry them with towels.

Prepare an indoor bath

Dog Corner identifies 45 degrees Fahrenheit (about 7C) as a cold temperature for dogs. Dont give your pup an outdoor bath if your areas temperature has dropped that low.

Instead, take your winter dog bath inside.

Prepare for bath time. You can use your bathtub or kitchen sink if you have a small dog. Arrange your supplies, including shampoo, soap, towels, and grooming tools.

Be cautious about splashing water in your dogs ears. Dont let moisture get into the ear canal.

Be sure to rinse as many times as necessary to remove all the dog-safe shampoo. Dont use human shampoo on your dog.

When youre finished, dry your dog by rubbing it with towels.

We also recommend using a blow dryer after the bath to help your dogs temperature return to normal.

Be cautious to ensure the hair dryer isnt too hot, and watch to ensure the noise doesnt scare your dog.

Try a self-service dog wash

If you dont have enough space at home or dont want to clean up after a dog bath, take your dog to a self-service wash. Here, you pay and get access to a fully-equipped washing space.

You can make particular requests if your dog has allergies or other needs. Although you may have to pay a bit extra, itll maximize comfort and convenience for your dog.

Weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to do dog grooming at home or take your dog to a professional groomer.

Hire a professional groomer

Or, you can use plan B. If your dog is difficult to handle, turn to a professional.

Professional groomers clean your dog thoroughly from ears to tail.

Although it may cost more, and you may have to prepare your dog for the session, it will save you time and effort in the long run.

Take your dog for a walk before bathing

Physical activity raises your dogs body temperature and heart rate, making it more ready for a bath or shower.

Walking your dog will also help tire it out, potentially making your pup calmer during its winter dog bath.

Final thoughts on winter dog baths

Summing up, dog winter baths may be difficult for dog owners. To help keep your dog clean, dont forget to continue to brush your dog at least weekly.

But they arent impossible. With the right strategy, you can get your dog cleaned without hassle.

Shawn Mack is a content writer who offers ghostwriting, copywriting, and blogging services. His educational background in the business and technical field has given him a broad base from which to approach many topics. He is also fond of writing engaging articles on technology & digital marketing-related topics.