Bathing your pet is an important part of maintaining their skin and coat health. As well as keeping pets clean, bathing can help minimize health issues such as infection, skin conditions, allergies, and parasites.
Unfortunately, many pets do not enjoy being bathed, so it’s important to make the experience as stress-free as possible. Ask your veterinarian for advice on how often to bathe your pet. Bathing too frequently can lead to dryness and skin irritation, but pets with certain health conditions may benefit from regular bathing.
Bathing Instructions
Please refer to the following step-by-step instructions when bathing your pet.
- Choose a location to bathe your pet. Using a bathtub (or sink for smaller pets) can help minimize mess and cleanup. If the weather is warm, consider bathing your pet outside.
- Gather your supplies. You will need a hairbrush, pet shampoo, towels, and a washcloth. We also advise wearing gloves and long sleeves to protect your hands and arms from scratches.
- If necessary, trim your pet’s nails before bathing to minimize the risk of injury.
- Brush your pet to remove loose hair before bathing.
- If inside, place towels on the floor to mop up spills.
- Fill the bathtub or sink with a few inches of lukewarm water. The water level should reach no higher than your pet’s knees when they are placed in the sink or tub. If outside, prepare a hose to wash your pet.
- Place your pet in the bathtub or sink, or secure them in an enclosed area outside. Ask an assistant to help hold your pet in place if needed.
- Slowly run water over your pet’s body. Speaking reassuringly can help calm a nervous pet.
- Apply shampoo to your pet’s body and lather it down to the skin. Always use a shampoo that’s designed for pets. Please ask your veterinarian for advice on choosing an appropriate pet shampoo.
- Take care to avoid getting shampoo in your pet’s eyes, ears, mouth, or nose. We recommend using a clean washcloth to gently wipe away dirt from the pet’s head. Cotton balls can also be placed in the ears to prevent water from entering them.
- Make sure to wash your pet thoroughly, paying particular attention to skin folds and other hard-to-reach areas. Let the shampoo sit for a few minutes before rinsing to ensure deep cleansing of your pet’s skin and coat.
- Rinse your pet thoroughly with lukewarm water. It is important not to leave any residue of shampoo on your pet as this can lead to skin irritation
- Remove cotton balls from your pet’s ears if they were placed there earlier.
- Towel dry your pet, then allow them to air dry completely. A hairdryer on a low setting can be used to speed up the drying process if your pet will tolerate it.
It is important to establish a regular bathing routine to help your pet become accustomed to bath time. Please consult with your veterinarian if you need more advice on bathing your pet
