If this is the first time you are becoming a dog owner, and you attempted to bathe your dog but found yourself in a chaotic situation, you might be shocked at how hard it is to wash a dog. Yes, it shouldn’t be that hard if you know how to do it. Of course, how hard this bathing process will also depend on the breed and how much they weigh.
Even though they love playing in the puddles, rolling in the mud, and playing with sprinklers, most dogs don’t love bathing. So, how to manage this situation? How to wash a dog properly? By being patient and following the proper steps. After this article, you will know what it takes to reach a common ground with your dog.
How Often Should You Wash Your Dog
This is a common question that many dog owners ask, yet it doesn’t have a definite answer. Because how often you should wash them depends on many factors such as their coat type, medical requirements, breed, how often they go out, and how soon they get dirty. With that being said, there are some tips you can learn to avoid unwanted situations.
For example, you shouldn’t bathe your dog very often because this might lead natural oils on their skin to be stripped away, just like it happens with humans. Typically, if your dog has healthy fur and doesn’t play in the mud every day, and their vet didn’t advise otherwise, bathing your dog once a month should be enough.
However, if your dog has fur that is more like human hair, it might need to be washed more often and get haircuts to avoid flea and other skin problems. Though, dogs like French Bulldogs with shorter fur might be easily cleaned with a few wipes to avoid bathing frequently. Of course, if your dog has any allergies, the best thing to do is to consult your veterinarian.
Can I Wash My Dog With Human Shampoo
Well, since life is expensive and taking good care of a dog is not making it less expensive, this is also a question many dog owners ask. And many might be thinking that dog shampoos are just a catchpenny, but, according to veterinarians, bathing your dog with a dog shampoo rather than a human shampoo is crucial for their health because there is a big difference between the pH levels of human skin and dog skin.
The acid mantle, a thin layer found on the human skin, shields the stratum corneum, the outermost layer, from pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. As a result of absorbing water and lowering evaporation, it also maintains the body hydrated. The acid layer is removed when we bathe, and to combat this, most human soaps and shampoos contain chemicals that hydrate and shield the skin.
While the pH balance of human skin is typically between 5.5 and 5.6, dogs’ pH balance is between 6.2 and 7.4. This is why when a human shampoo is used on a dog; the acid mantle is broken, making your dog more susceptible to bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Additionally, it makes their skin feel dry and flaky, which may cause them to scratch and abrasion themselves repeatedly.
How to Wash a Dog’s Face
Since our furry friends understand most things through their nose, their face touches everything from other dogs’ butts to dog-doo. And, since they have a very sensitive sense of smell, we must be cautious when cleaning their faces as owners. This is why knowing how to wash a dog is not enough to take excellent care of them. So, how can we clean their face?
It’s straightforward, get a clean, soft washcloth or sponge, damp it with water and gently wipe their face. Remember, you should never use paper or towels since these items are easily prone to disintegration and shredding when wet, resulting in paper fragments being left in your dog’s coat after wiping.
Of course, no matter how gentle you are, they will try to fight back. So at this point, you need to be patient but firm. And don’t ever rub shampoos or soaps on a dog’s face. This is not only bad for their health; it might even cause traumas for them. And these traumas make them dread the bathing sessions even more in time.
What Soap Can I Use to Wash My Dog
If your dog has no allergies and their veterinarian didn’t advise using specific dog shampoo, you can wash them with a castile soap, mainly made of natural oils. Even though this soap is a bit hard to find in stores, there are many online options you can choose from. But what makes this soap special?
Although one of the mildest on the market, this soap is also among the effective ones. Coconut, avocado, olive, and hemp oils in the formula make this soap extremely gentle on both human and dog skin. Additionally, because Castile soap is formed of oils, it protects your furry friend’s skin better because it removes fewer oils. Besides, even you can make this soap at home by following the tutorials!
However, there is still another budget-friendly, simple-to-make cleaning product you can count on; corn starch. Corn starch is particularly effective at adhering to oil molecules and removing them, thus removing the remaining filth and odors. However, note that to be able to clean your dog with corn starch, they need to be completely dry. And after starching your furry friend thoroughly, you need to ensure that it is distributed evenly by brushing them.
Do It Yourself Dog Wash Stations
If you are away from home, if you just cleaned your house and didn’t want to mess things up by washing your dog there, or if you’re going to have a hair saloon experience with your furry kid, do-it-yourself dog wash stations are always an attractive option. Besides, while giving your dog a proper bath, you will spend quality time together.
These wash stations have everything you and your dog might need, including towels and ear cleaners. And if you need anything, the staff there is always ready to assist you. After cleaning your dog, you can also blow dry them and drive back home peacefully. However, stop by Starbucks and get a pup cup first!
What Happens If You Don’t Wash Your Dog
Life gets busy, things get messy, and sometimes, we can’t even spare time to take a quick shower ourselves. It’s understandable, and anyone can have periods like this. But, if you add a dog into this equation, it gets even more complex since bathing a dog requires more time and energy than just showering yourself. So, what happens if you can’t wash your dog for longer than usual?
You might think stray dogs don’t have baths, but they are fine. However, you should remember that strays don’t live as our pets do. They don’t sit on your couch or sleep on your carpet. And not washing a dog that lives in your home might cause bigger problems in time, not only for them but also for you.
Of course, a couple of weeks is an insignificant time frame. However, you must ensure you wash your dog at least once a month. Possible health problems aside, this is a requirement for every pet owner. They are not only animals but our kids now, and we have full responsibility for their care. And even if you don’t bathe them regularly, it’s crucial to brush them at least once a week and check for skin problems or fleas.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned how to wash a dog properly and what to avoid doing, you know you have nothing to worry about. Even though we always want to best for them and do whatever to take good care of them, dogs don’t like bathing. But if you are patient enough, you will eventually reach a point where bath times are not as chaotic.
Just remember, your dog loves you more than anything and would do anything to make you happy. So, to turn bath times something they love, you might also try giving them treats or rewards during or after baths. This way, when they get in the shower, they will know they are getting rewarded and stay calm. Also, don’t forget to dry your dog, especially if the weather is cold.
