5 Tips For A Better Pet Bath

Knowing how to groom your wet-nosed companion is part of being a responsible, loving pet parent! Just like hoomans, hygiene is a part of protecting our pet’s overall health and well-being.

Every dog — no matter the size, weight, fur-length, or age — needs to be bathed occasionally, and the groomer isn’t always available. Plus, every pet parent knows that clean cuddles are the best cuddles.

Here’s everything you need to know about dog grooming, including groomer-style tips for bathing a dog and how often you should wash your pet!

What Supplies Do I Need To Groom My Dog?

• Shampoo that suits your pet
• Deodorizing mist
• Paw balm
• Brush
• Towel
• Toys to distract
• Treats, for reward
• A sprayer, pitcher, or hose

5 Tips For A Better Pet Bath

Bathing a dog can be tricky — especially if your pet isn’t fond of water. However, dog grooming is a crucial part of your pet’s skin and coat health. If done right, it can become bonding time with your fur baby!

These 5 dog grooming tips will make bath time a little less stressful and a lot better for your pet’s health.

1. Pre-Bath Care

Great dog grooming starts with a little pre-bath care.

First, brush your fur baby thoroughly — especially if your dog has medium to long hair. Matted hair is made worse by water, and bad mats can cause long-term skin discomfort.

Then, stuff cotton in your fur baby’s ears. Trapped moisture is the primary cause of ear infections in dogs! The cotton will reduce the likelihood of water getting into your fur baby’s ears and help with any ear sensitivity. The cotton ear plug should be snug enough to keep water out but not packed too tightly, which could damage delicate ear structures.

Remember to take it out once you've finished!

2. Use treats & toys to distract.

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Any pro groomer will tell you the key to a stress-free pet bath is to make it enjoyable for them! Pull out their favorite treats as a reward, and use toys to distract them throughout the bath. This Rub a Dub Tubby toy is a pawTree pet favorite for SPAw days.

Soon, they’ll associate bath time with fun pet-parent bonding time, which will make your job a whole lot easier.

Pet parent tip: Stay calm! If you’re happy and excited about the bath, your pet will match your energy.

3. Choose the right shampoo for your pet & start washing.

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Choosing the right shampoo is arguably the most important part of dog grooming. Low-quality or soap-based shampoos can cause skin issues and discomfort that could last your pet a lifetime. Also, make sure not to use human shampoo.

So what kind of shampoo should you choose? Look for paraben-, sulfate- and soap-free products that are hypoallergenic. (Soap will dry out your pet’s skin!) Ideally, you also want to use shampoo that contains vitamins that boost skin and coat health.

pawTree’s shampoos contain nano-encapsulated vitamins A, D, and E, as well as essential fatty acids to help with flaking and shiny coats. If you have a pet that’s prone to allergies or itching, try out an itch-relief product!

Once you’ve found the right shampoo, lather up and work from the tail-end first. When you get to the face, work carefully to not get shampoo in their eyes. At pawTree, we recommend avoiding the risk altogether and using wipes around the face, instead of shampoo.

4. Rinse really, really well.

Once you’re done, be sure to fully clean all the product off your pet. When you think you’ve gotten all the shampoo out, rinse again! (We’re not kidding.)

Leftover suds can cause skin issues like itching, infections and irritation. Dog hair is especially good at hiding pockets of shampoo, so use your hands to feel around the belly, armpits and genitals to be sure your fur baby is fully rinsed off.

Make sure the bath water is lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. Maybe put a non-slip mat in the bottom of the tub. This will make the process much easier for both you and your pet.

5. Post-bath care

Now that your pet has been toweled off and thoroughly cleaned, it's time to treat them! If possible, dry them with a towel rather than a hairdryer. If you really have to use it, make sure it's on the coolest setting. Post-bath care takes dog grooming from a simple wash to a full, fun SPAw day for your pet.

First, use paw balm on your pet’s feet and nose. This will protect your fur baby from cracking pads and heal damaged skin cells. Paw balm is especially useful during the winter, or if you live in a dry environment.

Once your pet is properly toweled off, brush your dog again! This removes any tangles, which will make your job easier the next time. Plus, brushing post-bath captures any loose hair, meaning there’ll be less shedding in-between washes.

P.S. A bath is the perfect time to brush your dog’s teeth! Oral hygiene is often overlooked, but is a crucial part of your fur baby’s overall health. Here’s everything you need to know about your pet’s dental care.

Short-haired pets need to be bathed once every 3-4 months. On the other hand, medium to long-haired dogs need to be bathed every 4-6 weeks. If your pet sheds a lot or plays outside often, you might need to bathe them every month or two.

Generally, avoid washing your pet more than once a month! Bathing a dog too much can dry out their skin and cause issues with flaking and itching.

If you feel like your pet needs a scent refresh between baths, try out a deodorizing mist. PawTree’s aloe and coconut mist helps with smelling good without using any harmful products.

Our four-legged family members bring such joy to our lives! Good dog grooming takes care of your fur baby’s health in the long run, so bathing your pet is the perfect way to love them back.

PawTree’s SPAw set has everything you need for a successful bath day. Clean, sweet-smelling puppy cuddles are on their way!