While dogs will tend to instinctively shake off excess water after getting wet, you will probably also need to help them dry off with some large absorbent towels. After this, most dogs can be allowed to air dry naturally. Avoid using hair dryers as most dogs don't like air blowing at them and they can also get too hot.
After a bath most pet owners quickly towel down their pet, but you should try to get the fur as dry as possible, Robles says. Use a towel to gently squeeze the fur and pull out as much water as possible, she said. By the end, your pet should be damp but not dripping wet.
While some pet owners are content to let their dogs air dry, you shouldn't be. When you let your dog air dry, they'll be at risk for fungus growing between their paw pads and in locations where their legs attach to their torso. If your dog has long hair, their fur may become matted if you let them air dry after a bath.
Coconut oil wrap is very beneficial for dogs with dry, irritated, and/or flaky skin. Wash your dog with your favourite shampoo, rinse, and towel dry. Then apply coconut oil to the dog's hair and skin and slowly massage it in, covering every part.
The worst time to brush your dog's coat is right after a bath while their hair is wet. Because brushing your dog when his hair is wet can be quite painful, while also creating more tangles and knots. That's why you should always brush dogs before you bathe them and then just let it all dry naturally afterward.
Yes, with a couple of cautions. First and foremost, you need to keep the nozzle a few inches away from your dog's fur and the air flow in constant motion, to prevent heat from concentrating on any one spot and burning your pet. You do this naturally when drying your own hair, because you can feel when it's too hot.
Dogs go crazy after a bath for a range of reasons from relief, to happiness, to an instinctual desire to return to a more familiar scent. Whether you call it a FRAP, the crazies, or the zoomies, the bottom line is, post-bath hyperactivity is a thing.
Traditional methods for eliminating wet dog smell after baths include regular bathing and grooming. Regular bathing helps to remove dirt, oils, and bacteria from the skin that can further contribute to a wet dog smell after a bath.
Start With Towel Drying
I do recommend towel drying first to get most of the moisture off and lessen the time it takes to blow-dry. Do not, for any reason, rub vigorously with the towel. The up-and-down, back-and-forth motion only makes mats and tangles in the fur!
If a dog with long hair or an undercoat is left to air dry, it may cause matting of the fur and other skin problems like hot spots.
Exposure to cold and wet weather for long periods of time can lead to inflammation in the respiratory tract. This inflammation makes dogs more prone to bacteria invasion of the airways—aka, pneumonia. This is a higher risk for young dogs, older dogs with other systemic diseases, and any immunocompromised dog.
Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesn't need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, it's a good idea to bathe your pooch at least once every two to three months.
Groomers also use conditioners like our Plush Puppy T.L.C Leave-in or Rinse out conditioner to give your dog's coat a shine, as well as a fresh fragrance. This conditioner comes in a spray that can be left in your dog's coat, or rinsed out, whichever works best for your pet.
External irritants, allergens, burns, or bacterial/viral/parasitic/fungal infections can all be present. If your dog still smells after a bath, is excessively scratching or licking, has a lot of scaling, or is rubbing his/herself on the carpet, take them to a vet as soon as possible.
Try using vinegar (diluted with a bit of water) in a spray bottle and spray on carpets or floors. Or use in combination with baking soda on cushions or bedding for an extra powerful, odor-eliminating punch.
“When dogs choose to go swimming, they are in control of themselves, and no one is handling them. So it's completely different things — it's not simply being wet,” Levine tells The Dodo. “There's fun with swimming, versus a bath, where they're being put in a situation and having water dumped all over them.”
Baths may very well bring out the zoomies. After all, they've been contained for awhile and it's time to let loose. The zoomies are an expression of happiness rather than relief, though the running and the rolling may look similar in both cases.
Toss treats into the tub, and when your dog jumps in to retrieve it, praise them. After a good belly rub, lead them out of the tub and throw another treat in for them to retrieve. This teaches your dog to associate positivity with being in the tub. Spread peanut butter on the side of your tub.
Groomers blow your dog's coat dry to achieve that ultra-fluffy look that's full of body. They use special dryers built for treating pets. Groomers also use particular products that help with the drying process but also leave the coat in wonderful condition, and now you can use them, too!
In general, it's wise to bathe your dog early in the day — especially if they have thick fur — so they'll be dry before their evening walk. Adapt to the animal's lifestyle: If you have a dog that lives outside, you can still give them a good cleaning, even when it is too cold to bathe a dog outdoors.
Like us, it is ideal to brush your dog's teeth at least twice daily. For many dogs, once brushing becomes a part of their daily routine they will begin to expect and enjoy it. Brushing three times a week is the minimum recommendation to help remove plaque and prevent tartar accumulation.