Bathing Your Dog During the Cold Winter Months
Brrrrrrrrr! It’s cold outside, but unfortunately, you can’t take a hiatus from giving your dog a bath until the spring thaw. Grooming is a year-round duty and it’s important because it can help keep your pup clean and healthy. However, there are some considerations when the mercury drops. Here are some tips and steps to keep in mind for bathing your dog during the cold winter months.
Warm-Up the House: Before you place your dog in the tub, you need to get your home ready for their bath. Dogs are at risk for developing hypothermia during the winter, so make sure you turn up the heat in your home before you begin bathing. A space heater is a great way to make sure the bathroom is toasty warm for your doggie!
Prepare the Tub: Dogs have a tendency to get excited about baths, and you want to make sure they’re safe during the process. Line your tub with a rubber bath mat to help prevent slipping, and then fill the tub with a few inches of warm water. Make sure the water isn’t too hot – a simple test with your hands for comfort should do the trick.
Ready Your Pup: To help keep the amount of hair in your tub at bay, brush your dog before you put them in. This will also help rid your dog of tangles. Place your dog in the tub and throughly wet him/her with warm water.
Wash Time: Placing a line of dog shampoo along their back is your best bet to effectively spread it around their body. Massage your dog’s coat with both hands, and rinse the shampoo out thoroughly with warm water. You can also condition your dog’s coat by leaving a handful of conditioner on for a few minutes and then rinsing it out completely.
Wrapping Things Up: Once done, make sure you have a large, clean towel handy to wrap your dog in. Towel-off your dog as best you can to remove as much water as possible, and grab a new dry towel if needed to continue drying them. Make sure you keep your dog inside as long as you can until they are completely dry to help ward off any sickness from the cold.
If you’re looking for a home away from home for your dog in St. Louis, please contact us. We’d love to offer your pooch a first-class daycare experience! Baxter’s K9 Complex is located off the Page Extension (MO-364), just five minutes from 270 and Page Avenue!