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How to Give a Dog a Bath: A Complete Guide (Vet-Approved)

Written by: Matt Jackson

Last Updated on March 25, 2024 by Dogster Team

golden-retriever-taking-a-bath

How to Give a Dog a Bath: A Complete Guide (Vet-Approved)

VET APPROVED

Dr. Lauren Demos  Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Lauren Demos

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

Some dogs only need baths very rarely, and most dogs only need to be bathed when they smell or are dirty. Ideally, you should start bathing your dog at least occasionally when it is young because this means they will get used to the process. Bathtime can be filled with anxiety for some pups and their owners, but if your dog has been rolling in dirt or is starting to smell, you will be grateful when you’re finished.

Below, we look at the steps required to bathe a dog while trying to ensure that it is as easy as possible for you both. You don’t have to take your dog for professional grooming sessions every time it gets dirty.

dogster face divider The Complete Guide on How to Give a Dog a Bath

1. Buy Supplies

woman-buying-pet-shampoo
Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

At the very least you are going to need dog shampoo. Dog shampoo has a pH value that is balanced for dogs so it won’t irritate. Depending on the shampoo you buy, it will also contain natural ingredients that not only prevent itching and irritation but can help soothe your dog’s skin.

Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is a soothing shampoo made using colloidal oatmeal, which soothes while also helping clean dirt and debris. The aloe vera and cucumber scent leaves your dog smelling fresh without the smell of chemicals or harsh fragrances.

As well as shampoo, you might want to buy a face cloth and towel specifically for your dog, after bath time. Alternatively, you can use your own towels and wash them.


2. Get Everything Ready

Before you even get the dog ready to go in the bath, it’s a good idea to have everything you need to hand. By having everything ready, your dog won’t have to wait while you disappear to find a jug for the water or a face cloth to clean around their eyes. Have shampoo, towels, jugs, and everything to hand.

Make sure the bath is prepared and it might be an idea to get towels and bathmats on the floor, especially if yours is a lively or agile dog that doesn’t like being in the water.


3. Offer Reassurance

female owner hugging her cavalier king charles spaniel dog
Image Credit: Nestor Rizhniak, Shutterstock

Speak nicely to your dog and speak to them in a reassuring voice before you get them in the bath. Continue with this during and after the bath.


4. Stay Calm

You must stay calm during the bathing process. Your dog will look to you for emotional guidance and if you seem edgy and anxious, they will likely adopt the same feelings, which will make bathtime a lot more challenging. For you both. Even if your dog wriggles, struggles, and attempts to get away, stay calm and remember that it is more stressful for your dog than it is for you.


5. Brush the Coat

brushing-dogs-coat
Image Credit: Liftwood, Shutterstock

Before you put your dog in the bath, give the coat a good brush. This will get rid of knots, and it will also help loosen dirt and debris that you want to lift out of the coat. If you put a dog with matted fur in the bath, the coat will retain the water and it can leave skin irritations.


6. Wet the Coat

Make sure the water is warm. It shouldn’t be too hot, and it shouldn’t be too cold. Test the water, whether you’re just using a partially filled bath or are combining bath and shower. Once you’re sure it’s the right temperature, wet the body, legs, and tail, but don’t try soaking your dog’s face. Most dogs dislike having their face soaked. Make sure the coat is wet from the tips to the base.


7. Apply Shampoo

English cocker spaniel dog taking a shower with shampoo, soap and water in a bathtub_andriano.cz_Shutterstock
Image Credit: andriano.cz, Shutterstock

Apply a small amount of shampoo and rub it into the coat until you get a good lather. Spread it around the whole body, including the belly, legs, and around the tail. The tail and rear end are where many of the smells emanating from a dog come from, so ensure that these areas are well-soaped when you begin. Don’t soak your dog’s face.


8. Clean the Face Gently

Use a damp cloth and clean around the face. Pay particular attention around the mouth and eyes, but make sure you don’t get water in your dog’s eyes. Don’t use shampoo on the face area, because even sensitive soap can cause discomfort if it does get in the eyes, and not only will it make this bathtime more difficult, but it will make your dog more reticent next bathtime.


9. Rinse

wet yorkshire terrier dog after the bath
Image Credit: VLADJ55, Shutterstock

You don’t want to leave shampoo in your dog’s coat because when it dries it can be irritating. Once you have soaped your dog thoroughly, use warm water to rinse every bit of soap out. Again, make sure you get under the armpits and into areas that the water won’t naturally run to.


10. Dry

You can use a towel to dry your dog. A lot of dogs enjoy being rubbed dry, and it is a good opportunity to rub and massage your dog. Make sure they are thoroughly dry, especially before letting them outside, or they will get mucky again. You can use a hairdryer, but make sure it’s on the cool air setting and as low a power as possible, and don’t put the nozzle too close to your dog’s skin.


11. Praise and Reward

beagle dog chewing some treats
Image Credit: Iryna Imago, Shutterstock

When everything is done, praise and reward your dog. Give them lots of attention and give them some of their favorite treats. You should also make sure their water bowl is full because the anxiety and stress that some dogs feel when they have a bath can cause them to be very thirsty. By making it a positive experience, your dog will remember they get treats at the end of the whole ordeal, and it should make it easier to bathe them next time.

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How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?

You don’t really need to bathe a dog unless it smells or has gotten dirty. Bathing a dog too often can damage the coat and even leave your dog with sensitive skin. Generally, it is a good idea to bathe every 3 months but if your dog is prone to becoming smelly or rolling in dirt, you can bathe every month.

Do I Have to Bathe My Dog?

It isn’t necessary to bathe a dog unless it needs it. The problem with only bathing your dog when it rolls in something is that it won’t get used to the process and that can make it more challenging when it is time to get in the bath. As such, it is a good idea to bath your dog every few months and make it as positive an experience as possible.

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Conclusion

Bathing a dog can be a fraught experience for some owners. Ideally, you should start bathing on a fairly regular basis when your dog is still a puppy, so they get used to the experience. Make the experience a positive one, avoid wetting or soaping the face, and offer treats and rewards when the bath is finished.

The more often you do this, the more your dog will associate the bath with a positive outcome so they will be less likely to run or wriggle away next time.


Featured Image Credit: 135pixels, Shutterstock

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