How to Bathe a Dog
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Bathing your dog is an essential part of pet care that not only keeps them clean but also promotes a healthy coat and skin. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to bathe your dog safely and effectively, ensuring a stress-free experience for both you and your furry friend!
Here are some things to know:
- Dog breeds that have downward-facing ears, such as Labrador Retrievers and Beagles, are prone to ear infections. It is CRUCIAL that their ears are cleaned thoroughly.
- Dog shampoos can help cater to the type of coat your dog has, how old your dog is, and the skin condition your dog has (Ex: Dandruff). Try to buy one based off of that!
- In this guide, we will be using Dawn dish soap to wash certain parts of your dog. I know people have many different opinions for using Dawn to wash animals, so if you, personally, would not like to use Dawn, then you can just skip that step and/or replace the Dawn dish soap with shampoo. More information about this will be provided in step 4.
Supplies
Before you begin, you will need:
- Dog shampoo (Choose one based on your dogs’ coat or skin condition!)
- A sink or tub (Large enough to fit your dog) equipped with a spray nozzle
- A (large) towel
- Dog ear cleaning solution (https://a.co/d/heaOAOK)
- Cotton balls
- Dawn dish soap (https://a.co/d/3gnqdHf)
- A dog grooming comb (https://a.co/d/c8QsjLP) *We will be using this pack of 2 in this guide!*
A non-slip mat is optional but can help prevent slips (https://a.co/d/7Yp7J03)
Prepare the Bathing Area
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- Gather all the materials (shampoo, towel, spray nozzle, comb, etc.) within reach.
- Optional – Place a non-slip mat in the tub or sink to prevent your dog from slipping.
- Ensure the water temperature is lukewarm, not too hot or cold.
- Make sure the area is free from any items that could slip or cause injury.
Clean Your Dog's Ears
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- Apply the dog ear cleaning solution onto a cotton ball.
- Gently clean the outer part of the ears, making sure to avoid pushing anything into the ear canal.
- You do not need to rinse off the ear cleaning solution (Unless your product states to!).
Wet Your Dog
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- Use the spray nozzle to wet your dog, starting from the neck and moving down to the tail.
- *Avoid spraying directly in your dog’s ears or face to prevent discomfort.*
- Wet your dog’s head, allowing the water to run down to their face.
- You can use your hand to shield your dog's eyes from the water.
Clean Your Dog’s Paws/Outer Ears
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Dogs’ paws and ears tend to get really greasy; Dawn dish soap can help get rid of that grease. Dawn dish soap is safe to use on animals if watered down and used in moderate amounts.
- Take your dawn dish soap and create a watered down solution of it, just enough to lather your dog’s paws and ears.
- Apply Dawn dish soap onto your dog’s paws, lathering them well.
- Apply a small amount of Dawn dish soap onto your hand, then gently lather the outside of your dog’s ears. (Please refer to the picture provided)
- Rinse off these areas thoroughly with water.
Shampoo Your Dog’s Body
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- Apply dog shampoo to your dog’s coat, starting from the neck and working your way down.
- Avoid using the shampoo on the areas where you applied Dawn dish soap.
- Focus on your dog’s stomach area, ensuring it’s cleaned thoroughly.
- Dogs lay on their stomach often, making it quite dirty.
Use Dog Combs
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Dog grooming combs are used to remove any tear stains or debris around the dog’s rear-end.
- Use a dog comb to gently clean tear stains around the eyes.
- *Be gentle to avoid causing discomfort to your dog.*
- Using that same dog comb, or a different one, gently clean any feces around the rear end.
- *If you’re using the same dog comb, make sure you clean your dog’s eyes first to avoid infections.*
Shampoo Your Dog’s Head & Face
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- Apply shampoo on your hands and then lather it onto your dog’s head and face.
- *Avoid getting the shampoo in your dog’s eyes.*
Rinse Shampoo & Dawn Dish Soap Off
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- Rinse your dog thoroughly with water, ensuring that all shampoo and Dawn dish soap is removed.
- *Check that there are no soap residues left on the skin or fur.*
Dry Your Dog
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- Use a towel to gently dry your dog, starting with the body and then moving to the head.
- Most dog’s dislike having their rear-end and face wet, try to make sure those are the most dry.
And then you're done! Don't forget to brush out your dog's coat. You can use a blow dryer to help dry your dog's fur faster. Enjoy your nice and clean furry friend!