Dog shampoo Fact Sheet

JSPCA FACT SHEET - PRACTICAL TIPS ON SHAMPOOING YOUR DOG

Practical tips on how to shampoo your dog:

Thoroughly wet the coat and skin surface with clean water.
If using a sponge, make sure the water reaches the surface of the skin.
Apply the shampoo at several points on the neck and along the back.
Gently and progressively massage the shampoo into coat and skin all over the dog using sufficient shampoo to raise a good lather (adding water where necessary) as with your own shampoo. Take care around the eyes. Work in around the head/neck and underneath, then the front and back of the legs. Pay particular attention to the skin folds around the mouth and tail and be sure to shampoo the underneath of the dog.
IMPORTANT – Shampoo feet and ears first using the sponge or cotton wool to work between the toes and for both sides of the ear flaps and under the tail.
Work well into the skin as the skin can harbour lingering bacterial or fungal agents that may cause skin infections. Pay close attention to the ears, the lip folds.
Some prescription shampoos recommend allowing the dog to stand for at least 10 minutes.
Thoroughly rinse the skin with clean water, using large amounts of clean lukewarm water.
Allow the dog to shake itself. Thoroughly dry with hand towels. Do not leave the dog in the cold when wet. Comb through long haired dogs.

Remember:

As itching often accompanies skin disease and is influenced by heat, it is important that the water is not too warm.
It is possible to use a piece of cotton wool at the top of the ear to stop water and shampoo going down – make sure you remove it after shampooing. If shampoo gets into the dog’s eyes, bathe them with large amounts of clean lukewarm water.
Thoroughly rinse the dog. Hand dry using a towel rather than a hair dryer. Heating of the skin may lead to itching and may damage the hair and upper layers of the skin.

TIPS FOR SMALLER DOGS

Wear old or waterproof clothes such as wellies and a plastic apron (especially if your dog is lively when bathed). Stand the dog in a bath. Use of a shower head will help greatly in the removal of surface debris and dirt and thoroughly wet the coat and skin. A sponge is a good alternative as it is easy to direct and is sometimes preferred by the dog. Another person to hold the dog will make the task a lot easier.
Remove the plug from the bath as it is necessary to work the shampoo between the dogs toes. This is so that the shampoo is not diluted by the dog standing in water.

TIPS FOR LARGER DOGS

If you have a large or long coated dog it may be more convenient (for you and your dog) to bath it outside. Whatever the weather never allow the dog to get cold.
Do not use water straight from the cold tap as this can be uncomfortably cold for your dog. It will also make them reluctant to allow bathing in the future. Always use lukewarm water.

2-3 buckets of water will be necessary to both wet, shampoo and then rinse the dog (depending on its size).

JSPCA working to

“prevent cruelty, promote knowledge, provide for aged, sick, lost and unwanted animals.”

Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Inc.)

Founded 1868 – Incorporated 1936

89 St Saviour’s Road, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4GJ

Tel: 01534 724331 Fax: 01534 871797

References and further reading: