How to properly give a dog a bath

During the days spent with dogs, giving them a bath is an essential daily task for every dog pooper. This seemingly simple behavior actually contains a great question. Properly bathing a dog can not only keep it clean, healthy, and emit a charming glow, but also become a warm moment to deepen our relationship.

Adequate preparation is essential before starting to give your dog a bath. The frequency of bathing is not constant, and factors such as the breed, living environment, and activity level of the dog need to be considered comprehensively. Short haired dogs have well-developed sebaceous glands and short, tightly attached hair, which can easily accumulate dirt and grime. However, the frequency of bathing should not be too high, only once every 1-2 months, as excessive cleaning can disrupt the skin's oil balance; Long haired dogs have long and dense hair that is prone to tangling, and dust and debris are easy to adhere to. Before bathing, it is necessary to thoroughly comb the hair, starting from the tip and gradually combing to the roots, to prevent more serious tangling when exposed to water. It is recommended to take a bath once a month or every two months; Curly dogs have a unique structure of curly hair, which can easily accumulate dirt and tangles. It is particularly important to comb the hair before bathing, and it is recommended to wash it every 1-2 weeks. In addition, before the age of 3 months, the immune system of puppies has not fully developed, so it is not recommended to take a bath directly with water. They can be wiped with dry cleaning powder or wet towels; Older dogs have weaker resistance and physical strength, so the frequency of bathing should be appropriately reduced, preferably once every 45-60 days.

When selecting bath products, choose dog specific shower gel. Dogs' skin is weakly alkaline, which is different from the pH of human skin. Using bath products can disrupt the pH balance of dogs' skin, leading to dryness, itching, allergies, and other problems. At the same time, prepare a bathtub or bathtub of appropriate size to ensure that the dog can stand steadily during bathing and will not slip or get injured; Soft towels, hair dryers, as well as auxiliary tools such as combs, ear wash, cotton balls, etc. need to be prepared.

Before taking a formal bath, it is important to interact with the dog to help it relax. You can gently stroke it, softly call its name, and relieve any tension it may have. Next, carefully comb the dog's hair, which can not only remove fallen hair, comb open hair knots, but also check in advance whether the dog has injuries, skin diseases, parasites, and other issues. After combing, use a towel soaked in warm water to wipe the corners of the dog's eyes, and use specialized ear wash to clean the ears. For dogs with a lot of fluff in the ear canal, it is also necessary to help them pluck the ear hair to prevent the accumulation of earwax and create an environment for bacterial growth. Afterwards, medical cotton balls can be inserted into the ears to prevent water from entering during bathing.

Adjusting the water temperature is a key step. Dogs have a slightly higher body temperature than humans, between 37.7 ℃ and 39.2 ℃. Therefore, the temperature of the bath water should be controlled between 36 ℃ and 40 ℃. It is recommended to test the temperature on the back of the hand or inside the elbow to feel warm and comfortable. After gently carrying the dog into the bathtub or tub, use a handheld showerhead or water scoop to slowly pour warm water onto the dog's feet, allowing it to gradually adapt to the feeling of being wet. Then, wet the legs, body, back, and tail in sequence, and finally wet the head, avoiding the eyes, ears, and mouth.

Take a proper amount of bath gel and rub it into your hands to create a rich foam. Start from the back of the dog, and gently massage the dog's skin and hair with your finger pulp in the order of neck, chest, abdomen, feet, soles, back, buttocks, tail, and finally head, so that the foam can be fully contacted to achieve the cleaning effect. During the massage process, pay attention to moderate intensity, just like giving a dog a massage, allowing it to enjoy the process. At the same time, be sure to avoid the dog's face to prevent foam from entering the eyes, mouth and nose, causing discomfort.

When washing the foam on the dog's body with clean water, slowly and thoroughly wash it from the foot in the same order of drenching to ensure that the foam at the root of the hair is also washed away. If foam remains, it may stimulate the dog's skin, causing skin itching, allergy and other problems. For dogs with long or thick hair, the frequency of rinsing can be appropriately increased.

After rinsing, quickly use a towel to absorb the moisture from the dog's body and minimize the drying time. When wiping, gently press according to the direction of hair growth to avoid forcefully rubbing and causing hair knots. Next, turn on the hair dryer and set it to the warm air mode, maintaining a distance of about 20 centimeters. Start blowing from larger areas such as the dog's abdomen and back, and use a comb to comb the hair while blowing to evenly heat it and accelerate drying. Pay attention to constantly changing the position of the hair dryer to avoid local overheating and scalding of the dog's skin. For large dogs or dogs with thick fur, you can first use a water blower to disperse most of the moisture, and then use a hair dryer to further dry it.

After drying the hair, comb the dog's hair again to make it smoother and neater. At the same time, dip a cotton ball in ear wash to clean the dog's ears and check for any abnormal conditions such as redness, swelling, odor, or secretions inside the ears. When trimming a dog's nails, be careful not to cut the blood line to avoid bleeding and pain. Some dogs also need to squeeze their anal glands to keep their anus open and clean, but extra care should be taken during the operation to avoid injuring the dog.

After taking a shower, don't forget to give your dog some rewards and compliments. You can give it a delicious snack, gently stroke its head, and tell it that it is a good dog. This not only allows dogs to associate bathing with pleasurable experiences, but also deepens their feelings for each other.

Bathing a dog is a loving interaction, and every step is filled with the owner's care and nurturing for the dog. As long as you master the correct methods and treat them with care, you can let dogs grow up healthy and happy in a clean and comfortable environment, making the bond between humans and dogs even stronger.