Bathing dogs plays a vital role in the maintenance their health. It keeps their coat and skin in good condition. It also makes your dog clean and free of dirt. But dogs try to skip bathing all the time.
Do you know how to bathe a dog at home? How often do you wash your puppy? What are the tips to bathe a dog at home? There are a few factors that decide how often you need to bath your dog. Keep reading to find your answers.
There are certain factors that determine how often you need to give a bath to your dog. Let’s talk about them first.
Factors that Determine How Often a Dog Needs Bath
Hair Length: If your dog has long hair, it can easily trap dirt and debris. Short-haired dogs are less susceptible to getting dirty, so less washing up.
Activity: A dog who prefers indoors is probably cleaner than a dog who likes to play in the park. If your dog sleep spends a lot of time playing outdoors, then you need to bathe him more frequently than other dogs.
Allergies and Skin Conditions: One has to take care of dog skin allergies. If a dog has a skin allergy or some other health condition, it can make him suspect able to needing a bath more or less frequently.
Generally, if your dog has healthy and normal skin, bathing once a month is usually sufficient. Do not bathe your dog more than once a week unless directed by your vet. Do not over-bathe your dog as over-bathing removes essential oils from the skin and fur and makes their skin dry, itchy, and dull. If you want to know how frequently you should be bathing your dog, know that excessive bathing can harm your pet. Remember, too much of anything is wrong, even in the case of washing your pup.
Tips for Bathing a Dog
You can easily bathe your dog at home. Have a look at these tips for bathing the dog:
- Brushing before bath: Brushing removes fur and debris from the coat. It also helps detangle. Take your dog to a professional groomer if need be.
- Lukewarm water: Do not make the mistake of bathing your dog in water that is too hot or too cold. As dog skin is different from ours, the temperature is supposed to be different too. Keep it lukewarm.
- Calm and reassure your pet: Introduce bathing to your dog as something positive, and eventually, he will stop running away from it. Give treats, toys, and affection to get your dog to come to the bath.
- Dog shampoo: Be sure to use a dog shampoo and follow up with a moisturizing dog conditioner that can help retain your pet’s natural moisture. Make a gentle lather and massage it all over your dog’s body. Be careful and avoid sensitive areas, including his eyes and face. Make sure you scrub their paws, stomach, armpits, and their tail.
- Rinse, Rinse: If any soap remains in the dog fur, it can irritate your dog’s skin once they’re dry. So, rinse well!
- Air-drying: Hot air from a human blow-dryer can be too much for their skin. Air-drying or using a blow-dryer is better for dogs; lower temperatures suit them and won’t cause itching or dandruff. Always supervise the dog at all times. Protect the head area and maintain a comfortable temperature. Place the dryer at a reasonable distance from the dog.
- Brushing after bath: Brush your dog after their bath to remove any dead fur and detangle their coat. You can brush while you dry to save time.
Follow these tips to bathe your dog. However, you should take him to the vet if the dog needs a medicated shampoo soak or has fleas.
Conclusion
We know giving your dog regular baths is essential to maintain his good hygiene. By following these tips to bathe a dog at home, you can groom him well. If you want to be extra sure, you can always ask your veterinarian or your groomer about how to bathe a dog at home.
