How to bathe your dog at home easily and without making a mess

One of the most pleasant moments we dog owners enjoy is bath time, even though they don't like it as much... They are always up for a good dip at the beach, in a river or lake, but mention the word bath and they'll hide in the most secluded corner of the house...

With this post, we want to give you some useful tips on how to bathe your dog at home safely, without trauma, and without making a mess.

As with everything, you can take your dog to the dog groomer and have them return looking like an Adonis, but you can also experience bathing them yourself, and having them make a mess, it's quite an experience.

This moment is intimate and special, between a dog and its owner, so try to create a relaxed environment to bathe your dog. Make sure they are calm and confident, bring plenty of their favorite treats, and some towels to dry them well.

Show them and let them smell and sniff all the tools you are going to use with them: nail clippers, shampoo bottle, brushes... so they get familiar and create a good atmosphere.

 

Start slowly when bathing your dog so they don't get scared

By having all the items you need to bathe your dog nearby, you won't have to neglect them for a second, and they won't have a chance to run out of the water.

Before putting them in the water, check that it's at an appropriate temperature, neither too hot nor too cold. Try to make your dog as comfortable as possible.

If you're bathing them with a hose or shower, check that the water pressure isn't too strong so your dog doesn't get scared.

Put your dog in the water and start wetting their body until they are completely wet. Avoid getting water in their ears and eyes.

When rubbing your dog's skin, don't do it abruptly; do it as if you were caressing them and speak in a soft tone. When you think they are clean, rinse and dry every part of their body thoroughly.

 

If your dog has sensitive skin or is allergic and has atopic skin, look for a suitable shampoo. We recommend the Lila Loves It cosmetic line, totally organic and natural, with shampoos specially formulated for dogs with sensitive skin and puppies; they are concentrated, don't create foam, and don't have an intense smell, which your dog will appreciate.

 

First of all, you need to look at the type of coat and skin your dog has. If they have knots or long hair, you'll need a special shampoo for that type of coat. At tQel, we have a line of organic and natural cosmetics with specific products for this type of fur.

Many times you may have wondered how to cut your dog's hair, or how to remove excess hair from your dog. There are different types of brushes on the market for grooming your dog. Some have metal bristles that remove dead hair from the coat's layers, and others have plastic bristles that serve to brush and massage the area to stimulate circulation. We recommend using both, as the first is necessary to keep your home from being full of hair, and the second is quite pleasant for them after a bath.

 

Regarding haircuts, depending on the breed and type of hair, they will need more or less care. Consult with the vet or groomer about the best cut for your dog according to their breed and hair type.

 

The moment of bathing your dog is perfect for checking their general health: look through their fur for any small wounds or chafing they might have gotten from a branch, check for any strange lumps, it's also a good time to trim the hairs sticking out from between their paw pads. Trim those hairs carefully so as not to prick them and apply a paw pad protector like Paw Care from Lilas Love It, an organic and natural petroleum jelly that hydrates and regenerates your dog's paw pads from any cracks they may have due to cold or hot asphalt.

If you take your dog to a specialized pet bathing facility, in addition to bathing, drying, and brushing them, they usually also check the condition of their nails and teeth. If you don't dare to trim your dog's nails, it's best to take them to the vet.

 

How to brush your dog's teeth

We recommend dental cleaning at least 3 times a week. Initially, try smearing a gauze with a little toothpaste specifically for dogs (they are not fluoridated, as fluoride is toxic to them) and gently rub their gums so they get used to it. Once they are accustomed, try with a toothbrush and brush gently.

If you accustom your dog from a puppy, they will see it as a routine and it will bother them less. Mind you, we're not saying they'll enjoy it.

 

Bathe your dog and take the opportunity to deworm them

Check your dog's vaccination and deworming schedule with your regular vet. No one better than the specialist to know what vaccines they need according to their age and the best internal and external antiparasitics. There are sprays that repel fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks, or you can apply a pipet.

 

A good toy is key to preventing them from chewing on everything

How would you feel if you were left alone for an average of 8 hours a day? Well, even though you have TV, radio, or can read, dogs don't. That's why, if you're going to be away from home for many hours, and to avoid the dreaded separation anxiety, it's best to leave toys within reach so they don't get bored and decide to play with your furniture. There are some special toys where you can put their favorite treats; they'll be entertained for hours and hours!

 

Of course, when you finish bathing your dog, give them their favorite treat while caressing them to let them know they behaved well and associate bathing with something good.

 

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and we will answer you as soon as possible

 

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