Bathing a dog at home, step by step

Before you start

1. 1Brush the coat through first. Anything you were going to work out is easier to deal with dry than wet.
2. 2Read the directions, and dilute or decant in advance if the product needs it.
3. 3Put everything within reach of where you will be standing — the product, a jug or a shower attachment, and more towels than you think.
4. 4Give the dog somewhere to stand without sliding: a rubber mat, a folded towel, anything that is not wet enamel.
5. 5Take the collar or harness off, and move anything you would rather not have soaked out of the room.
6. 6If there are two of you, settle who is holding the dog and who is holding the water before you start.

Check the water, then wet the coat

Test the water on the inside of your wrist: it should feel comfortably lukewarm, not hot. Wet the coat thoroughly before applying the product; a dense or double coat can take longer to wet through.

Apply as the bottle directs

Follow the stated dilution, application, contact time and use limits. If any instruction is unclear, ask the manufacturer rather than fill in the gap. What a label can be read for is explained in our label guide; if you are still choosing, start with what to establish about a product before buying it.

Rinse thoroughly

Rinse from the top down. Pay attention to areas where product can remain: under the chest, backs of the legs, between the toes, behind the ears, base of the tail, belly and groin.

Keep rinsing until the water runs clear and the coat no longer feels slippery, following the product’s rinsing directions.

Dry gently

Let your dog shake, then blot the coat with towels rather than rubbing. Allow more time at a lower heat.

If you use a dryer, keep it moving and the air cool enough to hold your hand in it comfortably. If the noise upsets your dog, use towels and a warm room instead.

Note the bath and anything you noticed

Note the date, product, dilution if used and anything you noticed on the skin or coat. A notebook or phone note is enough. The guide to writing down what you used and when explains how to keep the observations useful for a veterinary visit.

When to call the veterinarian

Persistent itch, hair loss, odour, open lesions, ear involvement or a sudden change are each a reason to contact your veterinarian and arrange an appointment. Do not delay the call to finish your notes or try another bath.

For difficulty breathing, collapse or unresponsiveness, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, or suspected poisoning, contact emergency veterinary care now.

For a visit checklist, see what to have ready before the appointment. This guide does not identify a cause or recommend treatment.

Use the directions for your product

Dilution, contact time and places where a product must not be used come from that product’s directions. Bathing frequency is a separate care question: an interval and a formulation are chosen together with your veterinarian, as our everyday-care guide explains. For background, read about the structure the water and the product meet.