How to bath your Pet

The Importance Of Bathing

Introduce your pet to bathing early in life. This will help keep your pet clean and their coat in good condition.

Bathing can be a very effective training tool for getting your puppy used to being handled and restrained. While massaging the shampoo or applying a leave in conditioner, you can gently palpate the feet and nails, lift up the tail and touch the muzzle. All of these in combination with positive reinforcement (treats!) will help to minimise the anxiety associated with grooming and veterinary examinations, which some puppies may develop as they get older.

Canine Skin VS Human Skin

There are some major differences between canine skin and human skin. Therefore, we need to use specific veterinary products when caring for our dog’s skin.

The pH is different: Canine skin has a pH of 6.2. Human skin has a pH of 5.5. A good quality shampoo should be pH balanced to the pet.

Skin thickness is different: The outer layer of canine skin is much thinner than human skin. This means that the delicate skin on our pets needs to be treated and washed with veterinary specific products. These are less likely to strip the oils from the coat and less likely to disrupt the normal function of the skin.

Tips For Bathing

  1. Thoroughly wet your pet all over.

  2. Apply the recommended shampoo to several points on the body and use a sponge to assist with lathering the shampoo. Use gloves if you are using a medicated product.

  3. Remember to include the groin, feet and under the tail.

  4. Use a damp cloth to gently clean around the face, being careful to avoid the eyes.

  5. When lathering, always add more water before adding more shampoo.

  6. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry to remove excess water.

  7. Apply conditioner to a damp coat after shampooing to rehydrate the skin and assist with grooming.

Watch a short video showing a medicated shampoo and leave-on conditioner being applied:

FAQ’s

  • It is recommended to use only good quality veterinary products which are specifically designed for pets.

    Natural Shampoo is a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo and is an ideal choice for puppies and kittens. It does not contain soap and is specifically designed to cleanse without stripping oils from the coat.

  • For pets that do not have any skin disease, washing every fortnight is suitable to maintain cleanliness of the coat and not disrupt skin health.

    If your pet becomes dirty within this two week period they can be washed as often as necessary provided that a good quality shampoo and conditioner are used.

    Natural Shampoo, Aloveen Oatmeal Shampoo and Aloveen Oatmeal Intensive Conditioner are ideal for puppies and kittens, including those that require more frequent bathing.

    For pets with skin disease, washing frequency may need to be increased as directed by your veterinarian and medicated shampoos may be indicated.

  • The heat from a hair dryer can damage the skin. A hair dryer may be used but preferably at a cooler setting. Always check the air coming from the hair dryer prior to use to ensure that the temperature is not too high.

  • If your pet is not excessively dirty and does not have any signs of skin disease, Aloveen® Oatmeal Intensive Conditioner can be used as a “dry bath”. This conditioner will hydrate the skin, make the coat soft and shiny and leave your pet smelling nice.