Bathing a dog at home

A home bath can freshen a muddy or smelly dog, but it is easy to overdo it. Too many washes, or the wrong product, can dry the skin and make a coat harder to manage, not easier.

Use lukewarm water and a shampoo made for dogs. Human products, washing-up liquid and thick essential-oil mixes can irritate the skin. Work the shampoo in with your hands or a sponge, keep it out of eyes and ears, and rinse until the water runs clear. Soap left in a dense coat will itch.

Drying is as important as washing. A damp undercoat can mat as it dries, and a dog left wet in a cold utility room is uncomfortable. Towel thoroughly, then use a dryer on a warm — not hot — setting if your dog accepts it, keeping the airflow moving. Never shut a wet dog in a closed cage with a heater, and never leave a dog unattended with a dryer.

If the skin is red, flaky, very itchy or has sores, skip the experiment and speak to your vet. A salon visit at our Banbury salon can include a proper wash and dry when the coat simply needs a reset, but it is not a treatment for skin disease. Call us if you want to book, or to ask whether a salon bath is likely to help.