What Is The Correct Way To Bathe My Pet
- It is important that the grooming area is warm and distraction-free. Grooming your
pet can be a pleasurable experience for both you and your pet! Speak to your pet in
loving and reassuring tones as you proceed.
- Place a light-colored towel on a table for your pet to stand on. This will prevent
slipping and allow for inspection for fleas, flea dirt, dandruff, etc.
- Brush or comb thoroughly down to the skin and carefully use a flea comb around the
face. Remove any tangles, loose hair, debris or dead skin (example - you must vacuum
a carpet before you shampoo it). Now brush the entire coat against the natural lay of
the coat. This is the ideal time to inspect for fleas and skin problems. Brush or comb
the coat back to it’s natural direction. It is very important to remember that all mats
and tangles must be removed before bathing - wetting them makes them worse by
tightening and shrinking the knots!
- Clean the ears. This should be done before bathing in order to bathe away the
resultant ear discharge.
- Inspect and remove the towel.
- Rinse/soak with lukewarm water, thoroughly flushing the coat and skin. It is
important to wet the entire body to aid soaking and to avoid prolonging your pet’s
anticipation of what is to come.
- Read the label, manufacturer directions can be critical to the product’s performance
(example - “shake well before using”).
- Dilute the shampoo. Commonly pet owners will pour a quantity of shampoo on the
pet’s back and then attempt to lather the entire animal from this starting point. This
method leaves too much shampoo on the back, which is one of the least dirty areas,
and does not permit enough shampoo to reach the really dirty areas of the head, tail
and underbelly (example - you wouldn’t wash your car by pouring soap on the roof
and then try to work the suds down to the dirty wheel areas!).
- Using a tearless shampoo, begin shampooing with the head (never get any shampoo
in the eyes or ears). It is important to thoroughly clean the head and mouth area as
this is an especially dirty area. Continue with the tearless shampoo to the base of the
neck, then use the shampoo of choice from the neck working towards the tail, paying
special attention to the dirtiest areas of the tail area, legs, foot pads and underbelly. It
is also helpful to use a curry brush or sponge when bathing your pet in order to better
distribute the shampoo and to more effectively loosen and remove debris, dead skin
and loose hair.
- Allow the shampoo to soak - up to 15 minutes for heavy flea and tick infestations or especially dirty coats
(example - soaking dirty pots and pans greatly enhances cleaning). Rinse and repeat if necessary. It is
important to note that two applications of shampoo are always more effective than one. The first
application loosens the dirt, residue and oils - the second application completes the process and allows the
shampoo ingredients to more effectively treat the skin and coat as intended due to the clean and hydrated
environment.
- Rinse, rinse, rinse! It is important to rinse away the dead skin, dirt, fleas and oils that the shampoo has
loosened, and to remove any remaining shampoo residue. When rinsing it is helpful to place your thumb
over the ear canal to prevent water entry, and to place your hand over the eyes to protect them from the
direct force of the water.
- Apply cream rinse if indicated, then rinse, rinse, rinse!
- Squeeze out the water and towel dry, beginning at the head and ending at the paws.
- Apply secondary products such as remoisturizing spray or flea spray. This is the perfect time - research has
shown that the application of a spray immediately after bathing, while the coat and skin are still in a
hydrated state, greatly enhances it’s desired effect.
- Finish drying, then brush or comb. Do not allow your pet outside until he is completely dry.