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how to give your pet a bath
Scrub-a-dub, here’s how to safely wash dogs (and cats!) in the tub.
Sometimes your beloved little stinker just needs a bath. Here’s how to wash your dog or cat at home.
What you need
- Vet-approved shampoo
- Washcloth
- Cotton balls
- Towel
- Pet brush
- A toy or small treats
- A friend to help (if possible)
What you don’t need
- People shampoos
- Human hair dryers
- Hot water (warm is best)
Prep ahead of bath time
If you can, recruit a pet-friendly friend to help keep your wet or soapy furball safe and secure during their scrub. Bathing your dog? Don’t tie them down. Just keep their leash handle looped around a wrist.
Make sure you have your vet-approved shampoo and your clean washcloth and towel nearby and ready to go before you start. (A few treats aren’t a bad idea either — they make bath time more fun for your pet and may entice them to stay put and not escape.)
Pro tip: Wear clothes that can get wet and hairy during pet baths.
- Brush beforehand: A good brushing before you begin can help reduce hair volume and remove any matted fur.
- Pick a safe spot: Ideally you want a spot where you can safely keep your pet in place. This means no slippery surfaces underneath their feet, no clutter around the area that could fall on you or your pet, and doors you can close to keep half-bathed pets from escaping.
A bathtub or sink can work for small to medium-sized pets. A kiddie pool is often used for larger dogs; you can also check out local doggy daycares, which may have self-serve bathing facilities.
- Use a mesh sink trap: If you’re using a sink or bathtub, a mesh sink trap can help prevent fur from going down the drain. A sponge can also be useful to capture extra hair.
- Pre-dilute your pet shampoo: Pre-diluting can make it much easier to apply, lather, and rinse. Use one part shampoo to 10–15 parts water.
- Go for the spa experience: Pre-warm your towels in the drier so they’re warm to the touch (not hot!). This may seem super luxe, but a slightly warm towel can make a real difference in helping to get your pet completely dry.
It’s bath time!
After you’ve prepped your space and your pet, it’s time for a wash. Make sure to shut all doors to prevent your pet from escaping the area before the bath is done!
Your goal is to gently soak your pet’s fur, rub the diluted shampoo through their fur, and then rinse it out completely.
- Avoid face and eyes: You don’t want to get soap or water on your pet’s face, eyes, or ears. If you accidentally get their furry face wet, gently blot it dry with your towel. Use lukewarm water to rinse accidental soap from eyes, then gently blot around the area.
- Avoid water in the eyes: If water gets in or on your pet’s ears, let them shake their heads, then blot the outside ear and the entry to the ear canal only. Don’t go digging in your pet’s ears! Check in the days afterward to make sure they don’t show signs of an ear infection.
- No hot or cold water: Lukewarm water is best. Avoid hot water, which can burn your pet, and very cold water, which can make for an unpleasant experience.
- Don't blast your pet with water: Water coming directly out of the faucet or showerhead may frighten pets, so use a full plastic cup or a water nozzle on low. Bring it up close to your pet’s body and soak their fur.
- Don't ignore the directions on your pet shampoo: Medicated shampoo may have different directions than pet shampoo.
- Don't use people shampoo: Human bodies and animal bodies have different healthy skin pH levels, which is a fancy way of saying that human shampoo can dry out your pet’s skin. This can make your pet itchy and prone to dandruff.
There are many good pet shampoos on the market. If you’re not sure which one is right for your pet, ask your veterinary team.
- Don't leave any shampoo behind: After you’ve thoroughly lathered up your pet, your next job is to rinse all that shampoo back off! Leftover shampoo can be uncomfortable and may cause skin problems.
- Don't worry about shedding hair before washing: Seeing lots of shedding hair come loose is normal and healthy.
Dry off and brush
After you’ve washed out all of the shampoo, it’s time to dry. Try to get your pet as dry as possible, since dampness can lead to skin issues.
- Let dogs shake: Even if you’ve managed to stay dry until now, this is the moment you’ll probably get soaked.
- Towel your pet dry: Use a clean, dry towel to gently rub your pet as dry as possible. Get tummies and feet as well as torsos and tails.
- Dry the ear opening: Use a cotton ball or a tissue over your fingertip to blot the entrance of their ears dry and help prevent yeast or bacterial infections. Just clean up the entrance.
If you spot anything gross down in the ear canal, let it be and contact your veterinary team. No matter how tempting it is, never put cotton swabs in your pet’s ears!
- Brush your pet: Give your pet another good brushing. Bathing can loosen fur and skin flakes, so don’t be surprised if your pet sheds or shows more dander than usual after a bath.
- Reward your pet: Time for treats and extra love for your newly clean and silky furball!
What to watch out for during a bath
There are times when your vet may recommend not bathing your pet for a bit, like after surgery. You may also need to wait for at least 48 hours after applying topical flea medication before your pet’s next bath. Other pet issues may need special additional bathing with medicated shampoos for skin issues or allergies.Bathing your pet is a great way to get hands-on with your BFF to help spot skin and coat symptoms you might otherwise miss. If you notice fleas, ticks, lumps, bumps, changes in skin color, raw or crusty skin, or anything else that causes concern, rinse off and dry your pet ASAP and make an appointment to see the vet.
Mentioned in this article
How to treat your pet’s skin and coat problems
Sometimes pet symptoms are more than skin deep.
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How Banfield can help with pet skin and coat care
We’re here to help your pet’s skin and coat be happy and healthy. From external parasites to skin problems to skin allergies and bumps or wounds, our vets can help with informed diagnoses and action plans to help your pet.
Get veterinary care for external parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites. From flea infestations to tick bites to ear mites and more, our vets can check out skin and coat cooties and recommend appropriate treatment. We’re happy to walk you through your options for year-round parasite control to help your pet!
Is your pet always itchy? Do you think your pet has a skin allergy? Causes for cat or dog itching and scratching can go more than skin deep. We can help figure out what’s causing your pet’s discomfort and suggest medications and treatments that can help your pet be more comfortable in their own skin.
See us for help with bald spots, shedding, greasy skin, and dandruff. Many pet health issues can affect your pet’s beautiful skin and coat. Whether it’s a flea allergy, dermatitis, seborrhea, allergies, anxiety-based issues, or other health concerns, our vets here to help with diagnosis and treatment.
Does your best furry friend have a cut or wound? Do you think they may have a tumor? Give us a call! Our vets can evaluate strange lumps and bumps and let you know if you can stop worrying. We can also help with wounds or direct you to the best resource to immediately help your pet.
