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Bathing a Dog
Cleanliness and proper grooming is an important aspect for the good health of our dogs. Bathing your dog too often is not good for his skin, so go for it when he gets into something greasy, when you expect guests, or when he gets smelly.
When to bathe?
Bathe your dog only occasionally. On an average, once a month is sufficient. It is best to ask your veterinarian what the right gap would be for your breed/size of dog.
What shampoo to use?
Any gentle, tearless dog shampoo (people's shampoo a total no-no as it can cause coat and skin problems) will work unless your dog has fleas or a skin disease. In such a case, use a medicated shampoo as recommended by your vet. When using a dog shampoo, it's best to dilute it.
What needs to be arranged before bathing?
Before you bathe the dog, have a blanket laid out on the living room floor; two pet drying towels by the shower or tub; a large pitcher for rinsing, pet shampoo, eye protective gel (to prevent redness and itchiness), coat conditioner, a brush and comb.
Before bathing your dog, make sure you brush him well. All dead, shedding hair has to be removed from the coat and undercoat. If the dog has knots, they must be removed before. Don't expect a conditioner to untangle the mats, because it won't.
How to bathe a dog?
- Start at your dog's head and go down towards the tail. This is useful if fleas are present. Starting at the head forces any fleas to gather away from the dog's face, eyes, and ears. Be careful not to get suds in the dog's eyes, even if you're using a 'tearless' shampoo.
- Next wet the dog well from the neck to the tail. Begin by shampooing the hind legs. Go on to the tail, the rear end, the body, chest, and front legs.
- Then rinse, and rinse, and rinse. Don't forget the underside of the dog. To reach that area, have him stand on his hind legs by lifting his front paws. Keep rinsing until you no longer feel shampoo anywhere on the dog and the water runs clear. Any residue of shampoo remaining on the dog can cause itching, flaking, and skin problems.
- Be sure your dog is dried thoroughly. Dogs love to roll after a bath. If they are still wet, they will pick up what not from the ground and ruin all your hard work.
Points to remember:
- Place some cotton balls in their ears before the bath. Water in the ears is one of the most common causes of ear infections.
- Brush them before and after the bathe. Brushing before makes the brushing afterward part much easier.
- It is extremely important to use a pet shampoo, not a product made for people.
- If a dog is bathed too often, the skin will be stripped off its natural, protective oils resulting in dry itchy skin. This will cause your dog to scratch, further irritating the already sensitive skin.