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HOW TO BATH YOUR PET
BATH YOUR PET

A puppy’s first bath!
 
Toweling dry
 
Getting ready

First, set yourself up with the proper equipment. You will need shampoo, bath mats for sure footing for the dog and one yourself and a mixer shower for thorough rinsing. Don't use a human shampoo because the pH is wrong for your pet. Instead choose a low allergen shampoo for pets such as Hylyte. Don’t try to use a flea control product. These will only kill the fleas on the dog at the time, he will soon be re-infested. If fleas are a problem ask us about our highly effective flea control products.

 
For safety's sake!
  • Use an anti-slip bath mat.
  • Don't encourage dogs to jump in or out of the bath as they may slip on the wet surfaces and be injured.
  • Never tie or fasten a dog in a bath or leave him unattended, a slip could be fatal!
  • If your skin is sensitive, or if you are using a medicated shampoo, it is better to wear gloves.
  • Wear an apron to protect your clothes.
  • If you are worried about wetting the ears or hurting the eyes put a pinch of cotton wool just inside your dog's ears and a drop of mineral oil in each eye to help keep out the soap.
 
Bathing the dog

It's important to comb or cut out tangles or mats before the bath, since water only makes them worse. If your dog does not like a bath try to keep things relaxed and keep praising him, even as you drag your pet to the shower!

Wet your dog thoroughly and then start shampooing by working lather around the neck and down the back and body. Work some lather in between your dog's toes. Do the face and ears gently and be careful with your dog's eyes. Rinse and repeat if needed You can also use a conditioner if your dog has a long or silky coat, it will make combing out easier and give the fur a nice sheen.

Lift the dog out and put a towel over him while he shakes. Your dog can get off more water by shaking than you can by toweling; use a blow-dryer to speed up the process if you like, but don’t dry the skin out too much. Keep your hand in the warm air all the time to check the heat and never point the dryer in his face.

Regular brushing and combing will help between baths. The myth that dogs shouldn't be bathed more than twice a year must have come from people whose dogs live outside not in our flats. Bathe your pet as needed up to once every two weeks and you will both be happier for it.

 
Bathe the cat? Are you crazy?

Kitten enjoys her weekly bath
 
Rinse Your cat with clean water
 
This kitten enjoys her weekly bath!

Cats, especially shorthaired ones, generally do a good job of keeping themselves well-groomed. However if you have an allergy sufferer in the house, a weekly bath, or just a rinse with clean water, will help to keep the allergen levels to more manageable levels. If your cat gets into something he can't safely clean off himself, or you want to improve on the work he has already done to keep clean, you will need to give him a bath.

If your cat won't cooperate, take a firm hold on the skin on the back of your cat's neck and hang on tightly. Working as quickly as possible shampoo and rinse your cat. You may need to repeat and use a conditioner as well. It helps to have two people to do this, one to hold and one to bath. After rinsing, wrap him in a towel and rub dry. Once done set him down in a way to minimize injury to you both and let him stalk off to reclaim his dignity.

Some owners will bath their cats frequently. The cats may not like being bathed, but they tolerate it pretty well especially if you start with them as kittens.

 
More info
Why shampoo your pets?
Which shampoo to choose?
 
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