A dog that goes romping and exploring outside inevitably also comes into touch with dirt. Although daily cleaning is neither necessary nor recommended, you can't prevent giving your four-legged friend a good bath from time to time.
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| Pexels/Benjamin Lehman |
How to wash your dog correctly and what you can do in addition to the body hygiene of the animal, we explain to you in the below.
The most important facts at a glance:
- Washing frequently damages the skin and coat, so dogs should be bathed as little as possible.
- Dogs should only be washed with warm water and special dog shampoo.
- After bathing, the four-legged friend should be properly dried or, if necessary, blow-dried.
- Dry shampoo and a damp cloth or brush are suitable for daily coat cleaning.
How many times can a dog be bathed?
As much as you may appreciate your morning shower, you should refrain from washing your dog every day. This is because too frequent bathing dries out the skin, promotes the formation of dandruff, and impairs the natural protective layer that the coat has and that protects your dog from pathogens, among other things.
Therefore, bathe your dog as infrequently as possible and only when his coat is so dirty that it cannot be cleaned in any other way. One to two bathing days per month should ideally be sufficient.
How to wash your dog properly
To give your dog enough grip in the bath or shower, be sure to use a non-slip pad. The water should be lukewarm. A hot bath, as you might prefer in the winter, is not a good idea for dogs.
Also, make sure that no water gets into your four-legged friend's eyes or nose. Brush your dog's wet coat thoroughly before actually washing it. This will help you rid it of knots and coarse dirt.
Then use a special dog shampoo, which you gently massage into the coat and then rinse thoroughly. When buying, it pays to make sure that the shampoo is well suited for your four-legged friend's skin and coat type.
Your shampoo is generally not a good choice for dogs, as the substances it contains can harm the animal's skin and coat, and even lead to intolerances.
After washing, don't forget to dry off.
When you are done washing your dog, it is time to dry the coat of the four-legged friend. Use an absorptive bath towel for this purpose. Keep in mind that wet dogs shake out their coats without regard for their environment, so it's best to dry your four-legged friend right in the tub.
Be careful to be thorough when drying off, but try to avoid overly firm rubbing so as not to hurt your dog or damage his fur. Also, make sure your four-legged friend's ears are dry as well, otherwise, they will be the perfect place for bacteria to multiply.
If your dog is willing, you can also use a hairdryer to dry his coat. However, do not set it too hot and make sure to keep enough distance from the pet's body.
Tips for daily coat care
Even though you shouldn't bathe your dog every day, there's nothing wrong with grooming his coat every day. In this way, you can remove light dirt, promptly notice a possible parasite infestation and incidentally strengthen your bond with each other.
The following steps will help you keep your dog's coat both clean and healthy:
- After walking your dog, remove light dirt with a damp cloth.
- Rinse your dog's paws with lukewarm water if necessary.
- For long-haired breeds, minor dirt can usually be brushed out easily.
- Dry shampoo for dogs is suitable for removing stubborn dirt.
- Daily combing and brushing promotes circulation and prevents knots in the coat of long-haired animals.
Not every dog likes to be washed
Every dog is different. While one enjoys the attention of master or mistress while bathing, the other would prefer to jump right back out of the tub. If the latter is the case, washing your dog can quickly become a challenge.
Therefore, if necessary, it is best to bathe your four-legged friend in pairs. Also, try to make the procedure as pleasant as possible for your dog. Extensive praise during and after the bath is just as much a part of it as a small treat as a reward at the end.
But even if your dog does not like to be washed, you are of course ultimately the boss and decide alone when it is time for a bath. In the end, you should therefore assert yourself and wash your dog properly even if it doesn't feel like it.