As much as some dogs hate it, we have to talk about it… bath time!
Most of the time, we don’t put too much thought into what shampoos we buy for our dogs. We just grab something off the shelf that smells good! Unfortunately, scent isn’t all that matters when picking out a shampoo for the dreaded bath time.
There are a few key points to consider when picking out a shampoo for your dog! Dogs tend to have much more sensitive skin than people do, so we want to grab something gentle that won’t cause the skin to become irritated or dry out. Gentle shampoos tend to be soap-free. As odd as that sounds, soap-free shampoos are much less harsh on a dog’s skin and coat! Another thing to consider is the overall health of the skin. If your dog has a history of skin infections or other coat issues, a medicated shampoo might be the way to go! Medicated shampoos can be antimicrobial and antifungal, as well as moisturizing!
But how do you know which shampoo to pick? Here’s a breakdown of some of our favorite dog shampoos and just why we love them!
Medicated Shampoos
- Antimicrobial, antifungal, moisturizing
- Great for dogs with bacterial skin infections
- Great for dogs with yeasty skin
- Adds moisture back into the coat
- Gentle, soap free, antiseborrheic, antimicrobial
- For bacterial skin infections
- Great for dogs with sensitive skin
- Won’t allow the skin and fur to dry out
- Antifungal, antimicrobial
- Contains chlorhexadine which is an antiseptic scrub
- Great for severe skin infections
For all of the above shampoos….
- Rinse dog with water
- Lather shampoo on dog avoiding eye areas
- Let shampoo sit for 5-15 minutes
- Rinse shampoo out. You may need to rinse a few times to get everything out
- Dry thoroughly
Non-Medicated Shampoos
- USDA certified
- Foams well
- Leaves fur soft and clean
Rocco and Roxie Calm Sensitive Skin
- Best for sensitive skin
- Contains Aloe vera
- Moisturizes and soothes dry irritated skin
Furminator Deshedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo
- Deshedding
- Contains Omega-3s and natural oils
- Promotes healthy moisturized skin
(Directions same as for medicated shampoo, except it can be rinsed off once lathered in. There is no wait time.)
Picking a shampoo can be difficult, but the bath itself can be just as challenging! Next time you need to bathe your dog that doesn’t like baths so much, try some of these tricks that help make bath time fun!
- Stick a lick mat to the shower or tub wall! Lather it in peanut butter or easy cheese, making sure to fill every crack and crevice! This keeps your dog entertained through bath time, and they get a reward for getting a bath!
- If your dog has a ton of energy, take a walk before bath time! Most dogs love cooling off in the water after a nice long walk! This also helps get rid of some of that energy so they’re more calm for the bath!
- Bring your dog’s favorite toys into the tub! This helps them see bath time as a fun play time for them! Just keep in mind that with this method, they might get a little rowdy since play is involved.
- Start bathing your dog when they are a puppy! As we know, socialization is a very important part of a young dog’s upbringing. The sooner they are exposed to bath time and grooming, the more likely they are to tolerate it well in the future!
- Take things slow. If your dog gets nervous around bath time, start with the basics first! Get them used to the sound of the running water, then to being in the tub with the water running, and then finally the bath itself! It might take some time and patience, but with the right tools, they’ll get there!
