Vets and pet care takers suggest that leaving dogs wet for too long can cause various health issues for them, specially in winters or mid seasons. That’s why it’s important to give a proper drying routine to your dog post-bath. While drying routine is also important, giving your furry one a refreshing bath following the proper steps and procedure is equally beneficial.
In this article, we will discuss a step-by-step guide on how to bathe your dog properly and why it is important to not keep your dog wet for an extended amount of time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Bathing Your Dog
Giving your dog a proper bath keeps their coat clean, healthy, and free of dirt or odors. Follow these simple steps for a stress-free bath time:
Step 1: Gather All the Supplies
Before you begin, have everything ready:
- Dog shampoo (mild, pet-safe, and suitable for their coat type)
- Towels
- Brush
- Treats (for positive reinforcement)
- Cotton balls (to protect their ears from water)
Step 2: Brush Your Dog
Brushing your dog prior to the bath helps remove loose hair, dirt, and matting. In pets with longer coats this step helps prevent further matting when wet and helps keep excess hair from clogging your drain.
Step 3: Prepare the Bathing Area
Fill a tub or sink with lukewarm water (never with too hot or cold water). If using a shower, adjust the water pressure to a gentle stream.
Step 4: Wet Your Dog Thoroughly
Use a cup or spray nozzle to wet your dog’s fur completely, avoiding their eyes and ears. Ensure the water reaches their undercoat if they have thick fur or for a better wash use a shower.
Step 5: Apply Dog Shampoo
Apply a dog shampoo, lather, and run between your hand gently through their fur beginning at the neck and downward toward the tail. Keep shampoo out of their eyes, ears or mouth. You should almost never wash your dog with human shampoo as they are made of strong chemicals that can hurt your dog’s skin.
Step 6: Rinse Well
Thoroughly rinse out all the shampoo using gloves, as leftover residue can cause skin irritation. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.
Step 7: Dry Your Dog
Use a microfiber dog bath towel to absorb excess water. If your dog tolerates it, a blow dryer on a low, cool setting can help speed up drying. Otherwise, pat dry them with the towel in a warm space.
Step 8: Reward & Brush Again
Once dry, brush their coat to remove any remaining loose fur and prevent tangles. Finish with a treat to reinforce a positive experience!
Why You Shouldn’t Leave Your Dog Wet
Letting your dog stay wet after a bath or a swim might seem harmless, but it can lead to several issues. Here’s why drying your dog properly is essential:
Risk of Skin Infections
Moisture trapped in your dog’s fur can become a home for bacteria and fungi, leading to skin infections such as hot spots/moist dermatitis. These irritated, inflamed patches can cause itching and discomfort to your dog.
Unpleasant Odor
A damp coat can develop a musty or “wet dog” smell, caused by bacteria and yeast reacting with water. Proper drying helps prevent bad odors from the dog, making it a refreshing and soft cuddle partner for you!
Increased Shedding & Matting
For long-haired or double-coated breeds, leaving the fur wet can cause tangles and matting, making future grooming more difficult. Wet fur also sheds more, creating a mess around your home.
Chills & Hypothermia
Dogs, particularly small breeds, puppies, senior dogs, or those with short coats or legs, can feel cold quickly when left wet. In colder weather, this can lead to hypothermia, causing shivering, lethargy, and discomfort.
How to Prevent These Issues?
- Use an absorbent microfiber towel to remove as much water as possible
- Let your dog shake off excess water before towel drying
- Use a low-heat pet dryer if your dog tolerates it.
- Brush their coat after drying to prevent tangles.
Best Dog Bath Towel Fabric
To keep your dog dry and warm on the bath day, use a towel that feels good to them and doesn’t harm their skin or health. Few of the best fabrics for dog bath towel are:
- Microfiber: It is considered one of the best and most selected options for dog hair, offering a soft texture while being highly resistant to pet hair build-up.
- Leather: It is a classic choice that is smooth, highly fur resistant and easy to clean or wash, however can be relatively expensive.
- Denim: Durable and can handle pet hair well, especially if treated with stain-resistant finishes.
While all three choices are safe for the dog, however, microfiber is still the top preferred choice of most pet parents and even the vets, because it offers super absorbency and skin friendly material for the dogs.
Bottom Line
To keep your dog clean, comfortable, and healthy, you need to wash them with a bath, then dry them appropriately. A highly absorbent microfiber dog bath towel helps to avoid any health risks associated with wet skin such as skin infections. Well, if so, these towels are the perfect solution as they dry up fast, keeping your furry friend happy and warm. With an appropriate grooming routine, bath time can be a soothing and pleasant process for both you and your pet.
