Your Guide on How to Bathe a Dog

At Pet Palace, your dog’s happiness and health is our top priority. So when it’s time to give your furry friend a much-needed bath, we want to ensure that you know the ins and outs of how to bathe your dog so they can be fresh and squeaky clean!

Learn more about the steps on bathing your dog from our informational guide today!

1. Set Up Your Dog Washing Station

Where you decide to bathe your dog is completely up to you, but whether you bathe them in the tub, the shower, or your backyard, you’ll need the following supplies before starting:

• Shampoo – When bathing your dog, you’ll want to choose a brand of shampoo that is designed specifically for them. If your dog’s skin is itchy or dry, a medicated shampoo may be the right choice. Some shampoos that were rated the best by People included Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo, Burt’s Bees for Dogs Natural Oatmeal Shampoo, TropiClean and more. We understand there are plenty of options out there, so you may want to check with a professional on what is best for your dog.
• Conditioner – Dogs with undercoats benefit from conditioners since the bottom layer of fur tends to tangle. If your dog is known to bolt or break free only a few minutes into bathing, you may want to find a 2-in-1 product. Some conditioners recommended by Chewy include Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog conditioner, Warren London Dog Hydrating Butter, Fresh ‘n Clean, and more.
• Towels – Bathing your dog can be a messy job, so you’ll definitely want a towel or two on hand for when you’re done. You may also want an extra towel just for yourself depending on their behavior during the bath.
• Bucket of water – If you’re outside rather than cleaning your dog in the bath, you’ll want to have all the equipment you need ready to get the job done. You might actually want more than one bucket of water so you will have a ready supply of fresh water as one bucket gets dirty.
• Brush – You’ll need a brush to help get out the tangles before your dog’s bath. There are a ton of options out there, but the main types include bristle, wire pin, and slicker brushes. A bristle brush can work for any coat type and is distinguished by the spacing and length of the bristles. A wire pin brush has a rubber tip at each end, great for medium-to-long-hair dogs. Lastly, the slicker brush features fine wire bristles and is great for untangling knots and working out matted areas.

Once you have all the items you need for bathing your dog, it’s time to get to work!

2. Dilute Your Shampoo

Diluting your dog shampoo is a great way to effectively spread the product on your pet. Since shampoo is usually thick and concentrated, it can be harder to spread if not watered down, so be sure to combine it with water in a bucket to create a sudsy mixture for your furry friend’s coat!

3. Wash Your Dog!

For the most seamless results, here’s how to bathe a dog quickly and efficiently:

• Shampoo their coat twice – The first time you shampoo your dog, you are attacking any built-up dirt and grime on their coat. Then, during the second wash, you should be lathering your dog’s skin to pull out any of the dirt that may have been left over from the first wash. This should leave your dog’s coat fresh and clean!
• Condition their coat – Once thoroughly shampooed, leave the conditioner in your dog’s fur for a few minutes. This will help detangle your dog’s fur (especially if they have longer hair), as well as further moisturize their coat and skin. It also makes the brushing afterwards easier. From there, you can move on to rinsing.
• Rinse fully – Using warm water, fully rinse your dog to remove any shampoo and conditioner remaining on the fur. Then you’re all set!

4. Dry Off Your Furry Friend

Just like setting up your dog washing station, the way you dry your pet is completely up to you! These are some of the ways that we would recommend you dry your furry friend:

• Towel dry your pet and run a brush through their coat to get rid of excess fur
• Blow dry your dog with a pet dryer, or even a regular hair dryer on medium heat
• Let your dog air dry and brush them every 10 minutes to avoid possible matting
• For wrinkly dogs, be sure to dry between their skin folds to avoid any health issues

FAQs on Bathing a Dog

What are the best shampoos and conditioners for my dog?

The best shampoos and conditioners are going to depend on the needs of your pet. Due to external factors, such as allergies, sensitive skin, and more, we recommend doing some research on specific pet shampoos and conditioners, as well as consulting with your vet about your dog’s needs before deciding on the right products.

Additionally, if you are looking for at-home dog grooming supplies for bathing a dog, we recommend using Chewy to find affordable yet effective products!

How often should I be bathing my dog?

Unlike us humans, dogs don’t need daily baths, so frequency will vary depending on the type of dog you have and the length of hair they possess. Medium- and long-haired dogs, such as golden retrievers or huskies, should bathe every four to six weeks. Dogs with short hair, such as terriers or pitbulls, should be bathed somewhere between every month and every three months.

What happens if you never bathe a dog?

Grooming is a key part of keeping your dog healthy. If you were to never bathe your dog, they’d be at risk for fleas, ticks, and ear infections. Another risk if you avoid grooming is that your dog will accumulate dead skin and general filth.

How do I go about bathing a dog that hates water?

Though some breeds are known to love the water, others may despise even the sound of running water. With that in mind, we highly encourage making the experience for your dog as enjoyable as possible. This can include rewarding your furry friend with numerous treats and pets both during the bath as well as after the process is complete! Some other tips for washing your dog if they hate water include:

• Keeping baths to a minimum
• Having someone help you maintain control
• Wearing your dog out before bath time
• Taking baby steps in introducing the bath to them

What shouldn’t be done when washing your dog?

Some things that you’ll want to avoid when bathing your dog include:

• Pouring water over your dog’s head as it can cause ear infections
• Shortening the rinsing time, since you need to fully rinse off all the residue and soap
• Using human shampoo or conditioner
• Bathing too often
• Using the wrong water temperature

How do I wash my dog when they have fleas and ticks?

Fleas and ticks, if not properly addressed and taken care of, can be harmful to your furry friend. With that in mind, here are our thoughts on preparing for flea and tick season, as well as washing a pet that has been affected by fleas and ticks.

How do I wash my dog when they have been sprayed by a skunk?

If you need to bathe a dog after they’ve been sprayed by a skunk, here is our complete guide to removing the skunk odor before it spreads to your home!

Do dogs feel better after a bath?

Every dog is different when it comes to bathing. After bathing your dog, you can definitely expect some zoomie activity or for your dog to be extra active. If they’re running around excitedly, it might be that they needed to release energy or were just excited.

When should you take your dog to a professional groomer?

Sometimes it’s best to have professionals handle washing your dog, and it’s good to start doing this when your dog is young, so they are used to the process. Some reasons you may opt to take your dog to the groomer include:

• You don’t have the space, energy or time to bathe your dog
• You don’t know the grooming needs for their breed or coat type
• Your dog needs their hair trimmed
• You need more services completed, such as ear cleaning or nail trimming
• Your dog is large

Do you offer dog bathing services?

Yes! For those wanting to ditch the stress and hassle of learning how to bathe a dog at home, we offer pet grooming services at all of our Pet Palace locations!

Whether your furry friend needs a show cut or just a simple bath, our team of professional groomers is here to make it an enjoyable experience for both you and them. We also offer additional grooming services, such as basic trims, toenail polishes, teeth brushing, and more!

If you’re interested, schedule a grooming appointment with us today!

Contact Our Team at Pet Palace!

If you have additional questions about how to bathe a dog, or if you’re wondering about our various dog boarding services, our team of experts is here to help.

Reach out to us today with any questions. We look forward to assisting you!

Categories: Dogs, Pet Grooming, Tips for Your Pets