You have finally become a pet parent and the new little critter running around the house has raised the energy levels of the entire house. It’s exciting and uplifting to say the least.
Now what if you notice your buddy getting a little stinky? Naturally it’s time for a bath although it’s not nearly the same as washing a human baby. Grooming methods for each species of pet is a little different and it’s best to get into it with sound knowledge and a little bit of patience.
There are some basic guidelines that are unique to dogs, cats, and small mammals.
These will be covered in the section below:
Dogs:
Dog baths may sound tedious but it’s a fun bonding experience for both you and your pupper.
Here’s what you need to do:
-Get them familiar with your shower/bathroom by taking them there when it’s dry, then when it’s wet.
-Gather the shower essentials for your pup. These are – Dog friendly shampoo and conditioner, brush/comb, towels, cotton balls, and treats.
-Prepare the bathing space. Small dogs can be washed in the sink and for larger dogs go directly to the tub or the shower. If you have the space and if your pup loves it, you can wash them outside too.
-Place a rubber mat or towel to keep your pupper from slipping and fill the bottom of the tub or wide bucket with lukewarm water. Avoid hot water at all costs.
-Before the bath begins, brush their coat to remove tangles and mats to make this process easier for them. Also place the cotton balls in their ears to protect them from stray splashes.
-Start by wetting their body lightly with the water, avoid their face and ears. Stay cautious by not spraying water into their face, eye, or ears to protect them from potential infections. Use a showerhead or a measuring cup to shower them with precision and care.
-Put a small amount of shampoo on your hands and lather it gently on their coat. Start with the neck, wash down their spine, under the tail, and around their torso. Do this till you build a good lather then rinse them down from top to bottom to ensure no water splashes around their face and ears. Place extra care in removing the shampoo residue since they can cause irritations and infections. P.S We recommend diluting the shampoo with water since your floof might be extra sensitive to it.
-Be careful when you wash their face, pick a shampoo that is tear-free to make this entirely stress free for them.
-The most important thing to keep in mind after the shower is to get them completely dry as fast and possible. Use your towels to do this and for good measure a pet safe blow dryer if you have it. Keep the heat of the dryer at the lowest setting.
-Last but not the least, treat your puppy with dog treats or peanut butter as positive reinforcement. This will make them look forward to baths for more treats.
Cats:
While they are compared to each other often, cats and dogs have vastly different grooming systems. Bathing a cat isn’t as easy when compared to dogs because they famously hate water. Fortunately, they are great at cleaning themselves so you won’t have to worry too much about giving them a bath frequently. When your cat gets sick, old, steps out often, or for some reason they have mobility issues, you might have to bathe them since they will be unable to groom themselves properly.
Keep bathing essentials handy just in case you ever need to wash them. These would include cat-safe shampoo and conditioner, brush, cotton balls, and loads of towels.
You should get your cat familiar with the shower or any body of water gradually. Don’t force them if they still don’t like it. Alternatively, use a damp cloth to wash specific areas your cat is unable to reach and dry them off promptly. Followed by their favorite treat for being a good kitty.
Small mammals:
Rabbits, hamsters, or even guinea pigs are pets that need little to no bathing whatsoever. They are adept at cleaning themselves. These critters are usually preyed upon in the wild so they don’t prefer being in unfamiliar situations like the bath. Being wet can have terrible mental and physical consequences for your buddy, so if you still think they are dirty or stinky often, consult a veterinarian. While rabbits and guinea pigs are exempt from most baths, hamsters do tend to enjoy the occasional sand bath. You can get the appropriate sand and arrange this for your pet a couple of times a month.
Now that you know how to keep your pet clean (or let them clean themselves), you have become a more well informed pet parent. Take good care of your pet’s grooming needs, treat them for good behavior, and go to the vet incase of any trouble.
