How to Bathe Your Dog

I know what you're thinking, “How hard could it be to wash a dog?”. It seems like apretty common sense procedure doesn't it? Well, for many people bathing the family dog can be a complete nightmare. If you follow these tips you can turn your dog's bathinto a fun and easy process!

1. Pick a location. The first thing you want to do is pick a safe location. This can beyour backyard, your bathtub or your local dog washing facility. If bathing outside besure that you are in a fenced area so that if your dog gets away from you he won't be able to run into the street. If bathing in the bathtub put down some sort of rubber matto prevent slipping. Never tie your dog up while bathing. If he struggles or gets entangled this could cause serious injury and even death.

2. Gather your supplies. You will need one or two thick, absorbent towels. Artificial tears eye ointment or mineral oil. Ear cleaner and cotton balls. Nail trimmers and Kwik Stop powder. Brushes and combs.

3. Pick a shampoo. You want to use a shampoo that is right for your particular dog's coat. Consult with your veterinarian if your dog has any skin problems or if you have questions as to what type of shampoo to use. DO NOT use “people” shampoos.They are not the appropriate pH and can be very drying to your dog's coat. If your dog's coat is particularly dry you may want to use a conditioner or creme rinse too.

4. Prepare the dog. Now you are ready to get your dog. You will want to brush him out first to get rid of any tangles or mats. Next trim the nails and clean the ears. Put one large cotton ball in each ear and leave it in there during the bath to prevent waterfrom entering the ear canal. If you are comfortable expressing the anal sacs you should do this now. Right before bathing apply a thin strip of artificial tears ointment or one drop of mineral oil to each eye. This will prevent soap from stinging his eyes.

5. Wash the dog. You are now ready to actually bathe the dog. Wet the coat thoroughly. Apply a small amount of shampoo and lather it well. Don't forget to wash under the tail and between the toes. Rinse thoroughly. This is very important because any soap residue can be irritating to the skin. If you are using a conditioneror creme rinse follow the instructions on the bottle. Again, rinse thoroughly if indicated.

6. Drying your dog. Once the bath is done and he is rinsed thoroughly you are ready for drying. Squeeze all the water out of his tail and down the legs. Let him shake off some of the excess water. Next get a towel, wrap him up and gently rub him dry. Let him shake again. Don't forget to remove the cotton balls from the ears! Once he is dry brush him again to remove any loose fur.

If all this sounds like too much work remember, you can always take Fido to a professional groomer.

Photo courtesy of flickr.

--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Comments

[pet supplies on April 25, 2009 at 12:21 AM]

Hi,

Most dogs would rather skip bath time, but bathing plays an important role in the health of your dog's coat and skin, helping to keep your dog clean and free of dirt and parasites.
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