Bathing Your Dog

Flea baths are becoming a thing of the past, replaced by prescription flea protections that are dabbed on once a month (Frontline, Revolution) or given orally (Capstar), all of which are harmless to humans and pets.

And the weekly baths that protect allergic pet owners can also be eliminated in some cases. Non-toxic products like Allerpet (available at pet stores) can be rubbed onto the fur with your hands or a cloth for the same sneeze-free results as a bath.

With these two problems licked, you may be tempted to avoid the suds, the splashing, and the exhausting battle of wills involved in bathing your dog. But even the most protected indoor pooch can start to smell like, well, a dog. Ask your vet how often your dog should be bathed (it depends on the breed and the activity level).

When picking a shampoo, consider how often you'll be bathing your dog. His skin pH is different from yours, so your favorite shampoo may be too drying. Baby shampoo is fine for animals who need only occasional washing, but for those who are bathed weekly, use a special dog shampoo. Shampoos like Kenic Sno-Flake ($7 for 16 ounces, globalpets.com) brighten up light-colored dogs, and Les Poochs' Pooch Bright Shampoo ($15 for eight ounces, lespoochs.com) adds luster to all coats.

Michelle Higbee, president of Madeline's Institute of Pet Grooming in Santa Clara, California, says pet owners can teach their dogs good bath behavior the same way they teach them to do tricks. Be firm and consistent, she says. "Dogs learn fast that they can make the owners stop when they always give in."

Bring your dog into the bathroom and give him treats while the water is running. Next, put him in the tub. Then have him stand in a few inches of water while you reward him. (If the process rings a bell―think Pavlov.) Your dog will eventually get used to this routine.

Keep a plastic cup nearby and pour warm water over him. Massage in the shampoo. Rinse thoroughly (try using a hose attachment with a gentle spray). Dry with a towel and then air-dry or use a hair dryer. Your blow-dryer, however, could be too strong, even for long-haired dogs, so be careful. To finish the job, a cotton ball and some warm water takes care of most eye and ear nastiness.

Every pet owner has an olfactory (smell) memory that triggers their gag reflex, “I’ve never smelled anything like it!  (S)He must have rolled in something dead!Odors that defy classification have an obvious solution; bathe the dog. Soap choice is where the confusion starts. In some situations it seems nothing but the harshest solvents will be adequate to clean your pet. It may also seem reasonable to use dish soap or a product designed for human hygiene, such as shampoo. “Harsh chemicals aren’t necessary,” assured Terese DeManuelle, a veterinary dermatologist from Portland, Oregon. “A mild hypoallergenic soap that’s formulated for veterinary use is all you need.” “Formulated for veterinary use” means a product that’s designed to work with a dog’s body. While dish soap or your favorite shampoo might strip away the dirt, and more importantly the odor, from your pet’s coat, it will also strip natural oils from their fur and may irritate their skin.

All grooming products (human and animal) are designed to maximize cleaning and minimize irritation. Human products work best on human skin and veterinary products are designed to work best on dog skin. The chemistry of a dog’s skin and fur are different than the chemistry of a human’s skin and hair. 

In addition to the odor- provoked “emergency bath” Dr. DeManuelle notes it’s safe to bathe your dog with veterinary shampoo once a week. However, if the veterinary shampoo you’re using contains any medication or insecticide, follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian. Prescription shampoos treat specific problems and may necessitate bathing more or less frequently than once a week. 

A final insight pertaining to bathing your pet is to comb their coat prior to bathing. Wet fur mats more than dry fur so a wet tangled coat is harder to brush out and will take longer to dry. This small detail can save you time and prevent an uncomfortable brushing for your pet. 

After a bath your dog will smell good, look good, and probably feel good. Make sure your dog is dry before you allow it back outside or it will feel good enough to dry itself. It will streak from the tub straight outside to find a new exotic aroma to frolic in and bring home to share.

This Pet Health Topic was written by Sarah Hoggan, Washington State University, Class of 2001.