Now that summer is here, playing with your dog outside, taking them swimming in lakes, and going on runs with them are frequented activities. And while there’s nothing better than watching your pup wag their tail and enjoy the pure summer bliss, they can get quite dirty from being outside all day. Taking your four-legged friend to the groomer for a professional cleaning can be costly, as most washing services range from $30 to $90 an appointment. Given the amount of outdoor time that your dog is likely having, you might find that your bill for the groomer skyrockets during the summer months. Instead of going to the pet store or an independent dog washer, there are easy ways to keep your dog clean at home.
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Why Overwashing Your Dog Is Bad
In the months where your dog is playing outside more and is more likely to get dirty, it can be tempting to wash them more frequently. Washing your dog will not only help clean them and make them smell fresh (there’s nothing worse than that “wet dog” scent), but it can help prevent fleas, ticks, and other bugs from living on their skin and in their fur.
While washing your dog a few times a year—or even quarterly—is recommended, it’s important to make sure you don’t overwash your furry friend. As tempting as it can be to want to wash your dog a few times a week in the summer, it can cause them more harm than good. Simply rinsing your dog off with water after getting muddy outside is okay to do, however, shampooing too frequently can cause their body’s natural oils to be stripped away. Overwashing can also lead to dry skin, especially when using products that have harsh ingredients. However, choosing bathing products made from quality ingredients allow for a safer and more effective dog-washing experience.
Using Baby Shampoo for Dogs
Whether or not you can use baby shampoo on dogs or can i use baby shampoo on my dog is a common question that dog owners ask. Baby shampoos can be found at drugstores and big-box retailers for an affordable price, ranging from $4 to $12 depending on the brand. Baby shampoos are a great option to use when washing your dog as they are made with mild and tear-free ingredients that won’t cause your dog’s oils to be stripped away.
There are many different brands and types of baby shampoos on the market, and deciding which one to purchase for your pet may be challenging (as the options seem endless!). Before deciding on which brand of baby shampoo to get for your dog, you should learn about which ingredients to look for (and which ones to avoid).
What to Look For in a Baby Shampoo For Dogs:
There are a few must-haves and must-avoids when it comes to the ingredients in baby shampoos for dogs.
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Baby Shampoo for Dogs Must-Haves:
- Tear-Free
- Soap-Free
- Paraben-Free
- Phthalate-Free
- Hypoallergenic
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Baby Shampoo for Dogs Must-Avoids:
- Fragrances
- Dyes
- Added Unnatural Ingredients
- Ingredients You Can't Pronounce
When choosing a baby shampoo for dogs, select one that has a small ingredients list and includes ingredients that you can pronounce such as coconut oil, olive oil, and chamomile essence. These known ingredients will ensure that your dog is being cleaned with the highest quality ingredients that don’t damage their fur or skin. You can try using Johnson’s baby shampoo on your dog or Aveeno baby shampoo on your dog, as these are both affordable tear-free and paraben-free options.
How to Wash Your Dog
After you have found a good baby shampoo for dogs to use, it’s time to wash your dog.
- Start by brushing your dog's fur. Brushing prior to washing will ensure that that baby shampoo for dogs gets into your puppy's fur.
- Turn on the water in your tub or hose, and make sure the water pressure is low and the temperature is lukewarm.
- Fully saturate your dog’s coat, making sure that every bit of dog fur is wet.
- Using the baby shampoo for dogs, massage the shampoo into your dog’s fur being careful to avoid their eyes and inside of their ears.
- Let the baby shampoo for dogs sit on their coat for a few minutes prior to rinsing.
- After letting the baby shampoo for dogs sit, thoroughly rinse your dog off making sure that there is no leftover shampoo on their body. Leftover shampoo can cause dryness and irritation to your dog’s skin.
- Now it’s time to dry. After getting wet, dogs like to shake their bodies to dry off. Unless you’re looking to get yourself and/or your bathroom soaked, it’s a good idea to have an absorbent towel on hand to wrap around your dog to not only dry them off but to prevent water from getting everywhere if they begin to shake. The Absorber® XXL Dog Lover’s Towel and The Absorber® Max Dog Lover’s Towel are two great options to drying your dog off: They’re big in size (big enough to cover your dog’s body to prevent water from splashing everywhere) and is ultra-absorbent.
Now that you know the right baby shampoos to use for dogs and how to wash your dog, you can enjoy the summer taking them outdoors and playing with them without worrying about paying to take your pup to the groomer.