Miami Veterinary Clinic

Bathing your Dog

Bathing your dog is an important part of your pet’s hygiene and happiness. Bathing reduces parasites, dander, and shedding, helping both canine and owner. Short-haired dogs are fairly straightforward to bathe, especially if they are small. Baths can take place in the sink or in the bath tub. Large and long-haired dogs are a little more difficult to bathe. If the weather permits, a big dog can be bathed outside; however, most cleaning usually takes place in the bathtub, sometimes with two people.

For shampoo, a gentle, tearless type is a good choice, unless your pet has fleas or ticks. In that case, use a shampoo that is recommended for the problem. If the parasite infection is especially severe, contact your veterinarian for more options. When bathing your canine, it is usually a good idea to dilute the shampoo, as most dog soaps are too thick and difficult to lather. Also, do not use people shampoo, as the ingredients are too harsh for your pet’s skin.

Before the bath occurs, make sure to brush your animal well in order to remove all the shedding hair, tangles, and mats from the coat. If you do not perform this step, bathing will only make tangles worse and will not effectively remove dirt from the fur. Additionally, it is recommended to brush your dog after the bath in order to facilitate the removal of dead hair.

If you are interested in learning more about keeping your pet happy, this pet fitness website can help.