What can you wash your dog with?

A little water, a little shampoo … How hard can it be to bathe a dog? Sometimes, harder than you’d think. Whether your dog loves baths or runs the other way when you spell “B-A-T-H,” bathing your dog regularly is an important part of caring for your pet. Linda Easton, president of International Professional Groomers and the owner of grooming salon Canine Concepts in Salem, Oregon, CPG, ICMG, shares her top tips on how to bathe a dog.

Unless your pooch just spent the afternoon splashing in mud puddles, you probably don’t need to bathe your dog more than once a month. This is breed-dependent; some dogs with longer coats will require more frequent baths or even trips to a professional groomer. If you’re not sure how often to suds up your pup, check with a groomer or your vet. Giving a monthly bath is key, though.

“The way dog’s skin works is, about every 30 days they have a whole new layer of cells,” Easton says. “So, the old cells slough off. That's what makes dander and things like that. So regular grooming or bathing keeps that dander down.” 

 Your first decision is likely choosing where you want to give your dog a bath. The size of your dog will likely influence your choice. You may be able to bathe a small dog in a kitchen sink, whereas a large dog will require more space. Some pet parents prefer a dog-specific bathtub, either a stand-alone unit or one that’s built-in at home or at a DIY dog bath facility. Using a dedicated dog bath area can keep fur and grime from clogging your family bathtub. But if you prefer to give your dog a bath in the family bathtub, that’s fine too. Just choose a place where you can safely get your dog in and out of the cleaning area. 

Then, before you turn on the faucet, make sure you have all your products and tools handy. “You want to have everything you need, right where you can reach it,” Easton says. You don’t want to be chasing a wet dog around your home while you try to find conditioner. Your supply list will obviously include shampoo, conditioner, and towels. You may also want a non-slip bath mat and an eye wash just in case. 

To give your dog a good bath, you’ll want to start with the right products. “Make sure you're using shampoo that's specifically made for dogs,” Easton says. “Dogs have different pH than people do in their skin. So, they’re actually more alkaline. If you use the shampoo that's made for people, it can be irritating to their skin.”

If you’re bathing a puppy, puppy-specific shampoo can be a good idea, Easton says. The pH of puppy shampoo matches the pH of a dog’s eyes, meaning it won’t irritate the dog’s eyes as much if some gets into that area.

If you’re unsure of what products to select for your particular dog, ask a groomer what he or she uses. Easton advises using a mild shampoo. If your dog is experiencing a certain issue (like itchy skin), then a shampoo designed to treat that condition might be ideal.

After shampooing your dog, putting on a conditioner is the next important step. “You always want to follow up when you're grooming at home with a conditioner because when you use your shampoo you strip a lot of the natural oils out of the skin and out of the hair. So, your conditioner rehydrates the skin as well as closes up all the cells on the outside part of the hair shaft itself,” Easton says. “Basically, you’re rehydrating with the conditioner.”

 When you have chosen the right place and have the right products ready to use, the real fun begins. Here's the bathing process our pros recommend:

1. Coax or place your dog in the tub or wash station. Treats are a great way to get the process off to a positive start! 
2. Dilute the shampoo with water. Try adding some to a bowl full of water, or put the shampoo in a dispenser that contains water. Diluting shampoo helps it suds up and spread better. Easton explains that most shampoo is thick and concentrated, and adding water can make it easier to use.
3. Wet your dog using warm water. Checking the temperature with your hand is just fine, Easton says.
4. Shampoo the dog twice. Easton explains that the first time, the shampoo binds with the dirt and helps get rid of it. The second go-around, you’re really washing the skin and pulling out all the remaining dirt and oil in the hair. Easton recommends a loofah sponge to help spread around the shampoo. Be sure to not overlook places like the pads of the feet, armpits, and bellies. Above all, make it an enjoyable experience. “You can use your hands to really massage the whole dog. And if you're doing that, and you're using warm water and the dog is someplace where it's warm, it should be a fun experience for the dog,” she says.
5. Use conditioner. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse away.
6. Rinse well until there is no more product on the fur. “You want to scrub them really good, but you also want to make sure that all of the soap is out. That's probably the most important thing,” Easton says. “Because if you don't get all the soap out, then the soap will stay on the skin and irritate it. It’s worse than not giving them a bath.”

Washing your dog’s head is one of the trickiest parts of the dog bathing process. You don’t want to get soap or water in sensitive areas like your dog’s ears, nose, and eyes. Easton recommends you save this part for the end of the bath, and suggests using a washcloth to clean your pet’s face.

Dip the cloth in soapy water, carefully wash your dog’s head and face, and then dip a clean washcloth into clear water and use that to rinse. “You just really want to make sure all the soap is out of those areas,” Easton says.

Even if you’re using a puppy shampoo that’s designed to be easier on the eyes, shampoo can still hurt them, so you’ll want to avoid the eye area as much as possible. If shampoo does get in your dog’s eyes, have an eye wash on hand that you can use. If your dog has eye goobers, Easton suggests wetting them and then using a toothbrush to softly remove them.  

Although some dog breeds love water (we’re looking at you, golden retrievers), many dogs shudder at just the sound of the bath faucet turning on. To combat this, try giving your dog lots of positive reinforcement during the bath. Praise is good; treats are even better! Give your dog positive associations to remember for next time he sees you gathering the dog shampoo. 

It’s also helpful to have a partner hold the dog while you’re giving him a bath, Easton says. And, if possible, start giving your dog a bath when he’s a puppy to help him get used to bath time.

First, towel-dry your dog as best you can. Then, use either a dog-specific hairdryer or a human one on a medium or cool setting. Easton recommends brushing your dog as he dries. You also could air-dry your dog, as long as he doesn’t get chills or shiver too much. 

If you’re air-drying your dog, “Every 10 or 15 minutes run a brush through them as they're drying and that'll help prevent mats or help separate mats if they have them,” Easton says.

Your reward for bath time: A dog that looks and smells fresh. And the knowledge that you’ve done something nice for your pooch’s health and handsomeness.

It can be stressful to find yourself with a dirty dog and no dog shampoo. Luckily, there are a few alternatives to dog shampoo you can use to clean that pooch of yours so he’s as fresh as a daisy once again!

Some of these shampoo alternatives are simple, while others take a bit of preparation to make. You might not even have to fill the tub with water at all, as some of these shampoo substitutes are simply applied to your dog’s fur without needing any water.

The 6 Alternative Options To Dog Shampoo You Can Use

If you have some baby shampoo on hand, you can use it to bathe your dog. Baby shampoo is gentler than adult shampoo because it contains fewer ingredients and perfumes. However, it’s still intended for human skin, which is different from dog skin.

Baby shampoo is safe to use for a one-time bath when you’re out of dog shampoo and need to get your dog cleaned up fast. Just don’t get into the habit of using it all the time because it’s made for humans and not canines! Overusing any human shampoo on a dog, including one made for babies, can easily dry out the animal’s skin.

To use baby shampoo, simply dampen your dog’s fur, then apply the shampoo and lather it up. Then just rinse away the soap bubbles with clear warm water, and you’re good to go! This method may not work great if your dog is extremely dirty or muddy as baby shampoo is not very powerful.

You can whip up a quick batch of homemade shampoo you can use for bathing your dog. All you need is some dish soap, apple cider vinegar, and water. To make homemade shampoo, mix 1 quart of water with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of dish soap. Then lather the soap up on your dog’s fur, let it soak for a few minutes, then rinse it off. If you don’t have cider vinegar you can just use Dawn dish soap.

It will take a few minutes to rinse all the dish soap off your dog’s fur, and especially if he has a long thick coat. However, once you finish, your dog’s coat should be very clean as this simple shampoo works great! Your dog may smell a bit like dish soap and vinegar when you’re done, but at least he’ll be clean!

Baking soda is a natural cleanser and deodorizer that you probably have on hand. You can use baking soda as a dry dog shampoo, and it doesn’t take any mixing at all! If you decide to use baking soda to clean your dog, do it outdoors because it can be messy.

Start by brushing your dog to remove loose hair and dirt. Then rub the baking soda into your dog’s fur while massaging it into his skin. Leave the baking soda on your dog’s fur for a few minutes, then brush it out. This method works best on a dog that’s not overly dirty. It simply won’t cut through heavy dirt and grime so don’t use this method if your dog is filthy dirty.

If you find yourself in a real pickle and your dog isn’t overly dirty, you can use cornstarch as a dry dog shampoo. This is another job that should be done outdoors if possible because it can be messy like the baking soda method above.

To use this alternative to dog shampoo, shake cornstarch over your dog’s body, then work the powder into the fur. Let it sit for a few minutes, then remove the cornstarch using a grooming comb or dog brush. Cornstarch absorbs foul odors so it will freshen up your pooch if he smelled terrible before you started. Like the baking soda method, using cornstarch isn’t your best choice if your dog is terribly dirty as it simply won’t cut through heavy dirt and grime.

If your dog isn’t overly dirty and just needs some freshening up, you can use baby wipes to clean his fur. Baby wipes are very gentle, and they leave behind a fresh, pleasant smell. To use this method, simply rub your dog’s fur with some baby wipes, making sure to avoid the areas around his eyes.

A downside to this method is that you may have to use many baby wipes to get your dog clean from head to tail. Plus, it will take quite a bit of time to clean your dog’s entire body, so be patient. Just be prepared to go through many wipes while getting your dog clean and smelling pretty!

Castile soap is a skin-friendly gentle soap containing all-natural ingredients like coconut oil. This soap makes a great substitute for dog shampoo if you’re in a pinch. Maybe you have a bar or two of this popular soap tucked away in your bathroom cabinet. If so, great!

To use this dog shampoo alternative, you’ll need to put your dog in the tub or shower and get his fur wet. Then lather up his coat with the Castile soap, work it in well, then rinse thoroughly. The coconut oil in the soap will leave your dog’s fur silky smooth and moisturized.

This soap works great on even the dirtiest dog, but it can’t be used regularly because it’s not made for dogs. If you were to use this soap every time you bathe your dog, his skin will likely dry out and itch, so only use this method if you’re in a real bind!

• See Also: Can You Use Cat Shampoo on a Dog? Is It Effective for Cleaning?

Choosing the Right Dog Shampoo

To ensure you don’t run out of dog shampoo in the future, buy yourself a couple of bottles of shampoo for your four-legged friend. To help you navigate through the myriad of dog shampoos on the market today, consider these factors when choosing one.

• Your dog’s age: If your dog is a puppy, look for a shampoo designed for younger dogs. Puppy shampoo is much gentler on the skin.
• Any skin conditions your dog has: A moisturizing dog shampoo is perfect if your dog has skin issues such as dryness, flakiness, or itchiness.
• Whether your dog has fleas or ticks: There are special flea and tick dog shampoos on the market that fend off these tiny pests.
• Odor: If your dog’s fur doesn’t smell good, look for a deodorizing dog shampoo that eliminates unpleasant odors.
• Your dog’s fur type: If your dog has fur that tangles, a dog shampoo-conditioner will help you tame your dog’s mane.

See Also:

Conclusion

Discovering you’re out of dog shampoo can be stressful and more so if your dog is a dirty, sloppy mess. Use one of these smart alternatives to dog shampoo if you find yourself in a pickle. Just remember to buy a bottle or two of dog shampoo suitable for your pooch, so you always have something on hand to clean your dog from head to tail.

Featured Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock