How to bathe a dog is one of the major questions any new pet owner thinks about. It is also a question that daunts many current pet owners because the task could be very daunting.
Not only that, but it could also seriously mess up the dog owner’s house. Why? Because if your dog has to get wet, so do you. However, I have found a way where you can bathe your dog, yet not get drenched or mess up your home in the process.
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How to bathe a dog without causing a mess?
It is all about preparing and gathering everything you need before you shower your dog. You must prepare everything you’re going need right next to you, which includes having least three towels, a brush, a hair trapper and much more that I am going discuss later on in this blog post.
Doing that will make l your dog’s grooming experience better and less annoying, which will make your life easier and your house mess-free.
Being a seaside gal, most of the dogs I have owned have loved the water. Running around on the sandy beaches, tackling the waves head-on, and playing tag in the shallow water were all great experiences that my dogs and I have immensely enjoyed.
Usually, taking my dogs to the beach made it a bit easier for me to wash them later as they had already gotten used to getting wet thanks to the waves of the seas that softly crash on the sand that my dogs enjoy walking on.
However, since most of us sadly do not live near bodies of water that we can go to all year down, here is a simpler way to make sure your dog can enjoy their baths.
How to bathe a dog- The frequency
How often do you have to bathe your dog? I know that if this was up to us, we would end up postponing or even avoiding the task altogether. However, your dog must shower to stay clean and healthy.
The good news is that dogs do not need baths as regularly as we do.
While we should get into the shower daily, your furry friend should only go regularly. Too much showering can cause skin problems, especially since it the majority of their hair’s natural oils will be stripped away. These natural
Also, bathing too frequently makes your dog’s skin dry and more prone to dandruff, frizzies, and mats. That’s why you should only bathe your dog regularly and voide either over or under doing it.
Regularly bathing your dog is an essential grooming practice that will keep your dog’s coat clean and healthy. It also removes dirt, parasites, or other elements that can get stuck in their fur and can cause problems later on.
How regular you need to bathe your dog depends on several factors:
- Environment
- Breed
- Type of Coat
- Level of activity
It is always best to consult with your veterinarian. They can advise you on how to bathe your dog best.
Where to shower your dog?
Depending on the size of your dog you should either bathe them inside the sink or the bathtub.
Unless your dog belongs to a large breed and is big in size, then stick to the easiest and best option, which is
Small dog owners have a little bit of an advantage here: they can be bathed in a sink. Well, the dogs at least. If you can fit your whole body into a sink then that is some amazing skill.
Like we have mentioned above, if you have a large-sized dog it may be a bit harder and you might have to bathe them outdoors
Make sure to close the bathroom door so your favorite canine can’t escape and leave a trail of mess in your home.
How to to reduce the post shower mess?
Friendly reminder: To avoid injuring your back and knees, get some “disposable” towels and a non-slip bathmat for your home.
The third towel you’re going to use is between rinses, where you’re going to place it on your dog to prevent them from shaking the excess water off. This way, you’re going to keep the floors of your bathroom mostly clean and dry. Also, you won’t be soaking wet which is a huge plus.
The next towel that you’re going to use is the one you’re going to place under your dog’s feet in the bathtub to prevent them from slipping and panicking. They can also be used to clean up any mess your dogs may make while bathing.
This way, you’re going to save so much money bathing your dog home and keep your house mess-free.
Bathing your dog outdoors
If it’s a sunny day outside and your dog belongs to a large breed, then you should bathe them outdoors. Here a couple of pointers that are going to make bathing your dog go a bit smoother.
Don’t use your hose on a high setting, just sprinkle them gently. You can get a plastic tub or an inflatable kiddie pool to bathe them in.
Additionally, make sure your dog doesn’t run right back into the mud once you have washed them.
How to bathe your dog
- Brush your dog carefully before a bath. Like this, you can make sure you got out all mats and tangles.
- Use lukewarm water. Try not to use too hot or cold water as it may be unpleasant for your doggo.
- Use DOG shampoo. Using dog shampoo that suitable for their coat type is a great way to clean and properly nourish their hair. Put a walnut-sized amount in your hand and gently massage the shampoo into your dog’s fur. Make sure not to get any soap into their eyes.
- Rinse all soap/shampoo out. Any leftover liquid in your dog’s fur will irritate their skin later one.
- Use a soothing tone. Make sure your dog feels safe. For quite some time your dog may act like your dragging them off for torture, but eventually, they will learn that bathing can actually be fun.
- Air-dry. If you really, really need to use a blow dryer, use it ONLY on the lowest wind and heat setting and far away from your dogs’ sensitive ears. The best thing to do is wrap them in a warm, fluffy towel and cuddle them.
- Reward them. Give them treats and maybe play a little bit with them. After a shower, they will either feel more relaxed or energized.
If you want to know which brushes and what kind of shampoo you should be using, then check out our How to Cut My Dog’s Hair at Home? The Guide You Will Need blog post to learn what suit’s your dog’s coat best.
If your dog suffers from any allergies, please consult your vet first before bathing your dog. They will know best what you and your doggo can do about it and still enjoy nice baths.
I personally love washing my dogs. Their fur becomes super soft for cuddling and they smell amazing! However, please bear in mind that not all dogs enjoy bathing.
This is why it is super important to be patient with them and to constantly love them no matter what.
For more information on dog grooming tips or nail clipping, you can read those articles. If you have any funny pictures of your dog bathing or in the water, leave it in the comments. Read you next time!
That’s it for today’s post. You should now know how to bathe your dog without getting wet or causing a mess. If you have any questions regarding this topic, please feel free to leave them in the comments down below.
