How to properly wash a dog - tips and detailed instructions

Dogs have their own understanding of purity, beauty, pleasure than humans. Your pet does not think that, having joyfully run through a puddle, he will bring dirt into the apartment, and that by wallowing in the garbage he will also bring an unpleasant smell. These are the main reasons why dog lovers have to wash their pets. But before you start bathing your animal, learn how to properly wash your dog.

Preparing for swimming:

It is advisable to thoroughly bathe your pet no more than 2 times a year . A dog's skin and coat are not designed to withstand constant washing.
Before bathing, close the windows in the apartment to avoid drafts - a wet dog can easily get sick.
You need to wash the animal in the evening after a walk so that the fur has time to dry overnight.
Place a rubber mat to prevent your pet's paws from slipping.
Be careful not to let water get into your ears . Make cotton swabs soaked in vegetable oil and place them in your ears.
Dogs with long hair need to be brushed before washing , so that the hair does not get tangled after getting wet.

Swimming restrictions

In some cases, bathing dogs using water and special means requires restrictions or is completely contraindicated.

Is it possible to bathe a dog during heat?

During heat, you should refrain from bathing your dog. At this time, there is a high risk of infection in the uterus, and the bathing procedure will cause additional stress, which may be stronger than usual due to a hormonal surge.

During this period of time, only necessary hygiene procedures should be carried out.

Is it possible to bathe a dog during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, you should also not bathe your dog to avoid unnecessary stress.

However, if such a need arises, then you should be careful when bathing, use hypoallergenic shampoos, movements should be softer and more careful, and when drying it is better not to use a hairdryer.

But you should definitely refrain from using anti-flea and tick products - such treatment should be carried out before mating.

Is it possible to bathe a dog after vaccination?

You should not bathe your dog immediately after vaccination. This is due to the fact that after the injection the pet experiences stress, and its body temperature may rise in the next few days.

You should not bathe your dog in the first days after vaccination. Photo: Rayya The Vet

Water procedures should be started no earlier than a week after vaccination.

When not to bathe a dog

There are also cases when bathing a dog not only requires a special approach or special means, but is generally prohibited:

the animal has been diagnosed with eczema or lichen - water procedures contribute to the spread of the disease;
surgical intervention - moisture getting on the sutures extremely complicates the healing and recovery process;
advanced age - older dogs have a much higher risk of becoming hypothermic after swimming, which will lead to colds and complications;
banal intolerance to bathing - it happens that animals hysterically do not want to bathe and behave inappropriately in this situation.

In such cases, so-called dry bathing will help you eliminate dirt and unpleasant odors.

Dog washing process:

First, wet the wool with water from the shower and wash off the dirt.
The water temperature should be from 37 to 39 degrees.
Then apply a special dog shampoo to the coat, lather it, and then rinse with water.
Gently wash the scalp area with your hands, making sure that water and shampoo do not get into your eyes and ears.
There should not be a trace of shampoo left on the skin - it can cause irritation and excessive dryness of the skin.
After washing, pat the coat dry with a towel to remove any remaining water, then dry with a hairdryer.

How to properly wash your dog in the bath

For most pets, bathing is a stressful experience. By following some simple rules, you can make this procedure as pleasant as possible for the animal:

Prepare the bath by laying a mat or a simple towel there. This will prevent the animal's paws from slipping.
Brush your pet before bathing if it is a long-haired breed.

Trim the animal's claws so it can't scratch you.

Prepare everything you need: cotton pads, towel, sponge, shampoo and treats for the animal.

Place cotton balls in your dog's ears to protect them from moisture.

Check the water temperature, it should be comfortable for the animal.

Wet your pet's body up to the neck and apply shampoo.

Simply wipe the head and face with a damp cloth.

Rinse off the shampoo thoroughly, avoiding getting water on the animal's head.

Dry your dog with a towel or a special hair dryer and comb the coat.

Thank the animal with a treat.

It will be useful for you to learn about why dogs bark, howl and lick their paws, how to remove the terrible smell from a dog’s mouth, how to teach a dog to brush its teeth, when it is necessary and how to trim a dog’s claws correctly, is it possible to keep dogs and cats together, are diapers necessary and also how to properly care for your pet while walking.

After bathing, your pet also needs a little care, but it is very important for its health.

Clean your ears

The ears should be cleaned of excess wax and treated either with special hygienic ear gels or hydrogen peroxide. This is done exclusively with a cotton pad, since cosmetic sticks can damage the animal’s ear canal. Wipe your ear with a damp cotton pad until it is clean.

Important! After each bath, be sure to give your dog a treat. This will give her pleasant associations associated with the hygiene procedure.

Clear your eyes

Eyes should also be rinsed after bathing. Especially if your pet is prone to epiphora (watery eyes). This is done to prevent possible bacterial infections and irritations. Colloidal silver is used for rinsing, which can be purchased in the form of drops and sprays. The liquid is applied to a cotton swab and wiped over the animal’s eyes.

Conditions for bathing puppies

Small unvaccinated puppies at the age of 4 months cannot be bathed, but there are times when washing is necessary - for example, if the puppy has lived on the street for a long time. How to wash a puppy for the first time?

Prepare to wash your puppy . Check that all windows in the apartment are closed and there are no drafts. The bathroom should be warm.
The puppy may be afraid of being washed in the shower . Fill a bowl with warm water so that its level reaches the puppy’s tummy. To wet the entire coat, water it with your hands.
The puppy may panic - distract him with a toy or treat, talk in a gentle voice, praise him when he behaves well.
Use a special shampoo for puppies , gently apply soap lather to the dog, massage and then rinse with warm water.
After bathing, dry the puppy well and wrap it in a towel.

Features of choosing the right detergent for pets

Is it possible to wash a dog with shampoo or is it better to choose a special soap? – This issue is very often discussed in multiple forums. It is the bathhouse for domestic dogs that attracts the attention of breeders, no less than the correct diet of the animal.

Very often, owners of four-legged friends try to wash their dog with a product intended for humans, but whether it is possible to properly wash a dog with human shampoo is a second question. Very often, the owner is misled by the fact that it is human products that can wash the hair the way it needs to be washed.

In most cases, regular hair shampoo, which has good characteristics, is quite expensive. Consequently, breeders think that this special product can only improve the fluffy coat of their four-legged friend and make a global mistake by washing the dog’s fur with it.

Many pets live in private households. Naturally, they constantly swarm in the dirt, where there are a lot of pathogenic microorganisms. All these microbes very often land on the surface of the fur and can cause various diseases such as subcutaneous itching, allergic reactions, demodicosis and others.

Thus, the question of how often you can wash your dog is very acute here. The answer here is unequivocal - only to the extent of very strong pollution. This is due to the fact that frequent bathing can wash away the protective fat layer from the surface of your pet’s skin , making it very susceptible to a variety of viruses and bacteria.

Previously, such products as baby and tar soap, pure tar, an unspecified soap solution, ordinary clean water and other unreasonable means were used to wash dogs. Today, technology is so developed that in a veterinary pharmacy or in a specialized pet store you can purchase a wide variety of products that will perfectly remove dandruff from your pet, eliminate oily seborrhea, and can also thoroughly wash your pet’s entire coat.

If you use the wrong products, this may cause some kind of disease in your dog.

As for another disadvantage of using human shampoo while a dog is taking a bath, human gel can significantly worsen the condition of the dog’s coat. It almost completely loses its quality appearance, stops sparkling, and may also begin to shed significantly. This is due to the fact that the balance of the skin is greatly disturbed, which in some cases cannot even be restored.

Now, is it possible to wash your dog with laundry soap? – Here the unequivocal answer is no! This is due to the fact that this type of detergent has a very high percentage of alkali, which also has a very bad effect on the animal’s coat.

Thus, human shampoos are not the right product for cleaning a dog's coat. It is worth taking this issue seriously and, if possible, choosing only high-quality products for washing dogs.

Is it possible to wash a dog that is afraid of water?

Many dogs are afraid of water if they have not been accustomed to bathing since childhood. Washing such an animal at home will cause a lot of trouble for its owners.

Steps to take when washing a dog that doesn’t like water:

Teach your animal to perceive the bathroom as a safe place - organize feeding in this room.
Then feed the dog directly in the bathtub. When your pet is no longer afraid of the bath, you can turn on the water briefly. Pet and praise her if she takes the water calmly.
Then you can wet the dog. If she stands calmly and behaves well, treat her with a treat or give her her favorite toy.
Don't rush it, teach it gradually to develop positive associations with washing.

How often can you bathe your dog?

The number of baths varies for each dog. Experts recommend not to get carried away with such a procedure.

The frequency of washing your pet depends on various factors - the amount of fur, the degree of contamination, and conditions of detention. It is allowed to wash pets once a week, sometimes one bath a year is enough.

Water procedures can be quite rare in the following cases:

Small decorative dogs that are constantly at home and do not go outside do their “business” in special trays.
Smooth-haired dogs have coats that can be cleaned quite easily due to their small size.
If there is a thick undercoat, it allows the pet to live peacefully in the enclosure, and also helps self-cleaning from various contaminants. With frequent washing, the quality of the undercoat deteriorates, and the sebaceous glands begin to work incorrectly.

Note! If there is no visible dirt on the dog, then it is better to simply comb it a little rather than bathe it.

How to get rid of dog smell?

Sometimes the question of washing an animal arises even after the appearance of an unpleasant dog odor from the animal - most often this is observed in the autumn and spring seasons. The cause of dog smell is the secretions of the skin glands, which protect the animal’s fur from harmful influences.

To avoid the smell of dog:

Brush the fur - it is the undercoat that absorbs unpleasant odors.
Use medicated dog shampoos designed to improve skin condition.
You can wipe the wool with a special solution : vinegar, vodka and water are mixed in equal parts and wiped with a soft cloth soaked in this solution.
Adjust your pet's diet - sometimes certain foods can cause dog odor.
You can use odor neutralizers , which are sold in pet stores.

Why wash your dog

Washing a dog is a necessary hygienic procedure that allows you to cleanse your pet of dirt. Dust, dirt, sebaceous secretions from the skin - all this has an unpleasant tendency to accumulate. And the clean, silky fur of our four-legged friends becomes dirty and dull. Bathing is not only about caring for the external beauty of your pet. After all, dirt is an ideal environment for the proliferation of parasites and microorganisms. Therefore, by cleaning the dog’s fur from dirt, we relieve it from itching, normalize thermoregulation, and prevent blockage of the sebaceous and sweat glands.

Does the dog shit in the house? Wash the floors!

Some dogs shit in the apartment due to the retention of their own urine odors on the floor coverings. To prevent floors from smelling like “dog,” it is best to thoroughly wash them with products that smell like bleach. This is whiteness , Domestos and other means. They should be diluted with water , and the floors should be thoroughly washed . Vinegar and potassium permanganate solution also help get rid of the smell .

Maintaining cleanliness and getting rid of unpleasant odors in the house where your four-legged friend lives is difficult, but quite possible. Teach your dog to behave civilly - not to climb on the sofa, to wash his paws after walks.

Watch where your friend walks - do not walk in the area of garbage containers (they really like unpleasant odors for us and will happily roll around in the garbage).

If you have a puppy, his training should include teaching him to bathe - while he is small, this is quite easy to do.

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How to wash your dog after a walk

Now, let's look at a few basic rules for bathing a dog in the spring and autumn, when he comes running from the street with a dirty belly and paws:

Regardless of the time of year when you brought your baby home, you must immediately teach him to wash his paws after a walk;
In spring and autumn, paws are washed exclusively with slightly warm water. In winter it is extremely cold. The problem is that the sensitivity of a dog's paws is twice as high as ours - so imagine what will happen to your pet if you put his paws in a basin of hot water;
Do not use a large capacity container. It is enough to take a small basin and a cloth;
When you get a puppy, you should immediately think through the process of getting used to washing after going outside.

In the summer or hot weather, many dog breeders simply water their pets with a hose, and they are calm about it. If your dog has thick hair, then in hot weather, by giving them a bath, they will jump into it themselves and cool off.