The America Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) states that regular at-home grooming is essential for dogs to promote a healthy coat and skin. While you can search for a “wash your dog near me” service to find places to go to bathe your dog, you can save money by washing your dog at home and avoid having to search for places to do it for you. Read on for details on how to wash your dog at home.
Why Should I Wash My Dog?
Washing your dog provides many benefits, including:
- Supporting a softer coat: Dog shampoos moisturize and nourish dog hair, making it softer and more manageable.
- Fighting odors: Regular baths can keep your dog smelling fresh.
- Reducing shedding mess: Shedding is the natural turnover of dog hair that keeps their coat thick and healthy. While you can’t prevent it, you can reduce the amount of dog hair that ends up on your clothing, floors and furniture by washing your dog. Shampooing and combing your dog during a bath can remove some hair that is ready to be shed, so it doesn’t wind up in undesirable places.
- Doubling as a health check: As you lather up your dog, you can look for lumps, skin spots and growths that could be a sign of a health condition. Spotting these problems early may make them easier for your vet to treat.
- Detecting ticks: You may locate disease-causing ticks while you wash your dog. If you do, use tweezers to grasp them as close to the skin as possible and then pull them out using a slow, steady motion. Rub the area to make sure the tick is gone. Then, talk to your vet about flea and tick prevention.
How Often Should I Wash My Dog?
There is no single answer to the question “how often should you wash your dog?” According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the right schedule depends on:
- Your dog’s breed: Some breeds require more frequent washing than others.
- Pet’s Lifestyle: If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or regularly plays with other pooches at the dog park, they may need bathing more frequently.
- Length of coat: Generally, longer coats need washing more often than shorter coats. Hairless dogs also tend to need more frequent bathing.
- Overall health: Certain skin conditions may mean that a dog needs bathed more or less often.
- Type of coat: Double-coated dogs may benefit from less frequent washing, as shampooing too often could lead to dry skin.
- Style of coat: Some styles of grooming may reduce the need for bathing. For example, Pulis don’t need bathed as frequently if they are corded.
Because there are so many variables, the best advice is to ask your vet “how many times a month should you wash your dog?” They can give you a specific answer based on your dog’s unique characteristics, lifestyle attributes and health history.
What Should I Use to Wash My Dog?
To wash your dog, gather the following:
- Lukewarm water
- Comb or brush that is suitable for your dog’s coat to remove tangles
- Fresh Wave Odor Removing Lemongrass Dog Shampoo
- Soft towel
Why Choose Fresh Wave?
Fresh Wave Odor Removing Lemongrass Dog Shampoo uses coconut-derived cleansing agents to remove oils and impurities from dogs’ coats and leaves behind a pleasant scent from natural pine, cedarwood, anise, clove, lime and lemongrass oils. It contains no alcohol, parabens, phthalates or artificial fragrances to protect dogs from chemicals and harsh substances that may trigger reactions. The shampoo is powerful enough to eliminate the worst smells like skunk spray, but it’s gentle enough to use on even puppies and older dogs. While it deeply cleanses, the shampoo also conditions to leave your dog’s coat feeling softer and silkier.
Where Should I Wash My Dog?
Where is best to wash your dog depends on your personal preferences. You may be able to give small pooches and puppies a bath right in the sink. You can also use your bathtub for medium to large breeds. When the weather is warm, build your own DIY dog washing station outside with a bucket and hose.
How to Wash Your Dog
To wash your dog at home, follow these steps:
- Test the water temperature.
- Wet your dog all over. Their coat should be dripping.
- Dispense a small amount of shampoo.
- Lather up your dog all over using massaging motions.
- Avoid your dog’s eyes and face.
- Let the shampoo rest for a few minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly. Make sure that no soap is left behind.
- Pat your dog dry with a soft towel. Don’t rub as this can cause skin irritation and create matting.
- Comb or brush your dog’s coat to remove tangles and knots.
When you’re washing your pet outdoors, make sure to tether them before you begin. Wherever you choose to bathe your dog, make sure that you talk to them throughout the process to keep them calm. You may want to give your dog a treat afterward to reward their good behavior.
Overall Benefits from Washing Your Dog
Washing your dog can help keep them smelling and looking their best and positively impact their health. With just water, Fresh Wave Odor Removing Dog Shampoo and a few other basic supplies, you can wash your dog indoors or outdoors.
In between baths, you can keep dog odors to a minimum by using Fresh Wave Odor Removing Orange Pet Spray. Free of harmful ingredients, the plant-derived spray can refresh pet beds, furniture, blankets, clothing, upholstery and carpeting. You can use it on anything that’s water safe.
