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How to Bath a Dog
This page shows you how to bath a dog and recommends different types of shampoo for different dog skin conditions, such as dry itchy skin,
dandruff, hot spots, and flea/tick infestations.
Most dog parents think that dogs do not like bathing.
However, if done right, most dogs actually do not mind taking a bath - and some even enjoy it a lot.
The most important thing is to train your dog to like taking a bath and to make the bathing experience less scary and stressful and more enjoyable!
Here are some reasons why dogs do not like taking a bath and what you can do:
| Reasons |
What You Can Do |
| They were not properly introduced to the idea of bathing |
- Re-educate the dog. Make bathing an attractive experience, such as reinforcing every action with delicious treats.
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| They do not like the slippery bathtub floor |
- Put a bath mat in the tub.
- Wash the dog on a non-skid floor.
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| They do not like soap in their eyes |
- Wash the face with a washcloth.
- Use a tearless shampoo on the face.
|
| They do not like water in their ears |
- Place cotton balls in the ears to keep out water.
- Use a washcloth to wash around the outside of the ears.
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| They do not like cold water |
- Use warm running water indoors.
- Use a small pool (kid's pool) filled with water warmed by the sun outdoors.
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| They do not like the high-pitched sound of the hairdryer |
- Use a quiet dryer, or do not use a dryer at all.
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| They do not like the combing after the bath because the hair is tangled |
- Remove mats and tangles before bathing. Thoroughly comb and brush the dog's hair and clip out matted hair.
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How to Bath a Dog - Things to Prepare
- A non-skid surface or bath mat: As mentioned above, some dogs dislike bathing because the bathtub is slippery and they cannot get a steady
footing. This can be fixed by simply putting a bath mat in the tub.
- Correct shampoo: Some dog shampoos are harsh and may be irritating to the dog's skin. Be sure to get some natural and gentle
doggie shampoo. Do not use shampoos for people on your dog.
- Washcloth for the face: Dogs do not like having water on their face especially in their eyes. Have some washcloths ready to wipe off the
water that may have gotten into their eyes and use the washcloth to clean the dog's face.
- Drying towels: If you have a big dog or a dog that has long hair, you definitely need more than one drying towel!
- Treats: Place treats strategically so you can offer them to your dog during the bath.
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How to Bath a Dog - 8 Easy Steps
Tip #1: If you have a young dog full of energy or a high-strung dog, exercise your dog before giving him a bath to tire him out so that he actually welcomes the opportunity to
stand quietly in the tub.
Tip #2: If you are trying to re-educate your dog about the "fun" of bathing, use treats. Place treats strategically so you can offer them during the bath.
Some dog parents suggest putting a smear of peanut butter high along the sink or tub for the dog to lick off while being bathed.
Here's how to bath a dog:
- Put your dog in the bathtub or sink.
- Run the water and make sure that it is warm but not too hot.
- Moisten the hair all around the dog's neck, apply the shampoo to the neck first, and move progressively toward the tail. By starting with the neck,
you are creating a soapy "moat" that fleas cannot jump across to the safety of the non-soaped head.
- Massage the skin and coat as you shampoo and leave the shampoo on for 10 minutes to kill any fleas.
- During the 10 minutes, you can wash the face and ears with a washcloth.
- Returning to the body, gently massage and scrub the whole body to remove scale and debris.
- Rinse thoroughly. Rinsing is the most commonly neglected step, and poor rinsing leads to dry skin. Two areas that many forget to rinse thoroughly
are under the scrotum of male dogs and the space between the front legs and the trunk.
- Towel dry.
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How to Bath a Dog - How Often is Too Often?
Some dog parents think that bathing makes a dog's skin dry and flaky. Don't worry. It doesn't. In fact, in most cases, the dog's skin actually improves if bathed on
a regular basis AND if the correct shampoo is used.
For dogs with skin allergies or with greasy coats, veterinarians suggest that frequent bathing is beneficial - as often as twice a week.
The bottom line? So long as you use a good shampoo, you can feel comfortable bathing your dog as often as is necessary - from once a week to once a month. If you
choose to dry your dog's hair using a dryer, always use a low heat setting.
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How to Bath a Dog - Choosing the Right Shampoo
Choosing the right shampoo for your dog is important, and remember, never use human shampoos on your dog. Human shampoos are designed for a more acidic skin with many sweat
glands and are often too harsh for dogs' skin.
Choose a natural dog shampoo that best meets the needs of your dog's skin conditions. Here are some suggestions:
- Natural Soothing Dog Shampoo
If your dog has no skin problems and you just want to use a gentle shampoo that is soothing, then here is one for you to try:
Halo Cloud-Nine Herbal Shampoo
This herbal shampoo contains no Sodium Laurel Sulfate. Instead, it contains Aloe Vera which is soothing, as well as lots of herbal oils that nourish the coat.
Your dog's coat will be soft and supple and he will smell great as well!
- Dog Tick and Flea Shampoo
Even if your dog is a magnet for ticks and fleas, you do not need to resort to shampoos that contain harsh chemicals to get rid of the bugs. Here is one that is natural
but effective:
Ark Naturals Neem Protect Shampoo
This shampoo contains neem oil which is inhospitable to biting insects such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. In addition, neem oil may help reduce the risk of infections,
itching and dermatitis from insect bites. Best of all, this shampoo does not contain DEET, pyrethrins or other synthetic pesticides and chemicals that are harmful to
our pets.
(Please also visit our pages on Natural Flea Control and
Natural Flea Tick Remedies for more suggestions on prevention of tick/flea
infestation.)
- Dog Shampoo for Itchy Skin
If your dog has dry itchy skin with a not-too-pleasant odor, try this natural oatmeal shampoo:
Doc Ackerman's Herbal Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo
This shampoo contains colloidal oatmeal which is is simply oats ground into an extremely fine powder. It can draw out or soothe irritants and can be used for
itching, dryness, dandruff, and can help control body odors.
- Dog Shampoo for Sensitive and Inflammed Skin
Dogs with sensitive and inflammed skin due to allergies can benefit from a natural anti-inflammatory shampoo such as this one:
Earthbath All Natural Tea Tree Oil & Aloe Vera Shampoo
This natural shampoo contains natural tea tree oil which is anti-inflammatory, and aloe vera which is a soothing emollient. The shampoo can help speed
the healing of itchy, inflammed skin and hot spots.
Related Topics
Dog Skin Irritations
Dog Itchy Skin
Dog Odor
Natural Flea Control
How to Groom A Dog
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