International Bath Day
For most of us, taking a bath is a relaxing and calming activity. Just add bubbles or a bath bomb, and we may disappear for hours! However, for some dogs, bath time is anything but a positive experience. Today is International Bath Day, and the perfect opportunity to address the importance of bath time for pets and tips for how to make the experience more comfortable for your furry friend. Bathing is very important to a pet’s health, as soap and water will help to keep a dog’s skin and hair healthy. Bathing can also prevent the spread of disease and other health issues, so start running the water because it’s bath time!
History
Legend has it that June 14th, the Greek mathematician, scientist, and scholar Archimedes took a bath and discovered something very profound. While immersed in the tub, he found that an object’s volume could accurately be measured while being submerged in water. Archimedes jumped out of the bath and ran through the streets of Syracuse, Greece shouting, “Eureka, Eureka!” Historians could not find a record of Archimedes’ exact date of birth, so they chose the day he jumped out of the tub to celebrate the occasion.
Get Ready Before the Bath
To celebrate the Greek scholar’s discovery, give your dog a bath! However, before you bring your dog into the tub, it is important to get prepared and have the necessary items ready to go.
- Get the right shampoo- Instead of just buying a generic shampoo from the store, first talk to your veterinarian about the best shampoo for your dog. Your vet can recommend different brands and products based on skin conditions, coat problems, and skin sensitivity.
- Brush your dog- Brushing your dog before a bath will help the shampoo soak into his or her coat, and will help to work out the knots before they get wet. If the knots are severe, take your dog to a professional groomer to avoid injury.
- Have multiple towels ready- Gather several towels for your dog’s bath, and have them ready and waiting by
your side! (Things could get pretty messy). Have one ready for directly after the bath to drape over the top of your dog’s back. This will prevent him or her from shaking and spraying water all over you and the bathroom. Use the other towels for drying your dog’s face, ears, and paws. (Tip: you can also put one in the bottom of the tub for traction). - Block the drain- In order to keep hair from clogging the drain, put a ball of steel wool over the drain. As soon as you are done bathing your pup, remove the steel wool and throw away the hair that was collected.
- Fill the tub- Before bringing your dog into the bathroom, fill the tub up with lukewarm water. Adding water beforehand will help prevent any added stress if your dog struggles with loud noises and water, and will make the process go by so much faster.
What To Do During the Bath
1. If you have a larger dog, it might be helpful to have a second person around to help you during this process. Plan ahead so your second pair of hands is ready to jump in if needed!
2. Get your dog wet from head to tail, and all the way down to the skin. Use the clean water in the bathtub to gently rinse your dog. If you choose to use a handheld showerhead, the sound of running water in combination with strong water pressure may frighten your pup. Instead of spraying water directly on his or her fur, allow the water to hit the back of your hand first. Once your pet is used to the water pressure, you can take your hand away.
3. Shampoo your dog from the neck down. Do not let the shampoo soak in, but rather actively rub the soap into the fur with your hands for several minutes. Take extra care around the face as this is the most sensitive area, and use a washcloth to wash around the eyes and ears. Paw pads can trap dirt and grime, so be sure to scrub them as well.
4. Drain the dirty water once your dog is sudsy, and rinse the shampoo away with clean water. Start with your dog’s face, that way if any soap got in his or her eyes, it will get rinsed out first.
5. Throw a towel over your pet to prevent your dog from shaking the water everywhere. Use another towel to dry the face, ears, and paws. We suggest leaving the blow dryer to the professionals since it is difficult to regulate the air temperature which could potentially injure your pet’s skin.
Do I Need To Bathe My Cat?
Most pet owners choose to bathe their dogs and understand that it is necessary and essential to a dog’s health. However, many cat owners are unsure as to whether or not they need to bathe their feline companions. Cats spend up to 50% of their time awake grooming themselves and covering their fur with their scent. According to Jackson Galaxy, a pet brand dedicated to improving the lives of cats and guardians, when you bathe a cat, you are washing away their personal scent. If you bathe your cat frequently, he or she may become frightened whenever you reach for them and may associate being touched with getting a bath and having to re-groom.
Reasons To Bathe Your Cat
While it is not necessary to bathe a cat like it is a dog, there are some situations that do require some soap and water. We have listed some of those scenarios below:
- Skunk spray
- Hairless cats produce excess oils that require baths
- Your cat has fleas or ticks
- Your cat is elderly and cannot groom him or herself anymore
Do you bathe your dog or cat at home? Do you have any tips to add to our list? Let us know!
