Bathing your dog is essential to keep it clean and hygienic or parasite free. The pets enjoy an entirely different lifestyle than us humans, hence, their hygiene may vastly differ. Dogs tend to keep themselves cleaner by licking themselves or by removing toxins from skin through perspiration, however, this may not prove to be hygienic for the owners.
The type of bath and how often may depend on various factors. It is essential that you consult with the Veterinarian or the pet shop owner with whom you bought your dog before indulging in any particular bathing practice.
What is the nature of your dog?
Dogs who spent more time outside the house may need frequent bath than the one staying inside the house. Most dogs tend to just sit on the couch in a room all day.
If a dog play outside in mud and soil, it may need regular wash with soap and brush. These dogs have tendency to carry alien parasites if not cleaned properly and can contaminate entire house indoors.
What type of coat does your dog has?
Bathing once a month works with almost all the dog, however,
- Dogs with oily coat like Basset Hounds may need a weekly wash.
- Dogs with short hair, like; Beagles and Weimaraners, may need less frequent baths.
- Dogs with water-repellant coats, like; Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees may need less baths so as to preserve their natural skin oil.
- Dogs with thick, double coat such as Samoyeds, Malamutes and other northern breeds may need fewer baths and lot of scrubbing to get the dirt off their skin.
Does your dog have any skin related or dermatological condition?
As stated before, dogs with short fur and thin coat may need lesser bathe than the rest, however, the skin condition may remain a useful factor in deciding how often to bathe your dog.
Dogs with acute allergies, excess hair loss, bald or dry patches, lumps and bumps need special care. You must consult your veterinarian and only bathe with certain products or at a time prescribed by the expert.
In most cases, wrong shampoo or frequent baths can cause skin related problems. This can be eradicated by consulting with the Vet or when you first catch the sign of any problem.
What bathing products to use?
Soaps and shampoo used by humans mustn’t be used for dogs. Human skin has pH level of 5 while dogs have pH level of 7. The shampoo used by humans are more acidic in nature, which if used on dogs can cause irritation or skin rashes.
Bathing product must have a pH value that is especially formulated for a dog's delicate skin, between 6.5 to 7.5.
The Vets can recommend the right shampoo and technique of bathing to prevent any problem in the future. You should always stick to quality dog related bathing products.
How to bathe your Dog?
The process of bathing your dog is simpler. Here are few factors to remember,
Brush them before bath
It is essential to brush your dog before bath to prevent matted hair which soaks up lot of water and can cause irritations later.
Use lukewarm water
Do not use hot or warm water to bathe your dog, as they have sensitive skin. Hot water can burn the skin easily. Using cooler water for the most larger breed dogs is recommended as they tend to easily overheat.
Use dog shampoo
You must always use dog shampoo and products. The dog shampoo specifically comes with ph level of above 6 and up to 7.5 which is recommended for their skin. Shampoo with lesser pH level are acidic and can cause skin irritations.
Rinse well
You must rinse them well after bath to soak up the water. Water left in the ear or sensitive areas can cause irritation later.
Air-dry
Using natural air-dry or dryer specifically for dogs is essential to keep their fur in healthy condition.
Reward your dog
Do not forget to reward your dog after the bathe to encourage them to stay healthy and love occasional baths.
Check out Pet Grooming to learn more about your dog’s habits and grooming.