I think I’ve been getting a lot of weird stuff in this blog lately and I’m pretty excited about it. I’ve learned a lot about dogs over the past 7 years of blogging and Matilda and Cow’s day-to-day life, but the weird way we get things done is gold.
I’ve washed my dog in the sink – even a tiny bathroom sink for Matilda, and Cow has been in a large sink in the basement – in the tub and in the shower by herself In between – there is absolutely nothing better than taking a bath with just one or even the two of them.
I have access to every part of the dog. It’s faster and less stressful for them.
And I really hate getting my clothes wet when showering outside the shower. This is the “wet socks after stepping in a puddle” feeling times ten. Total.
and multitasking! I also brushed my teeth and showered with my dog all the time, which is a terrible idea, but that’s how we do things here.
Is it safe to bathe with your dog?
The biggest worry is slipping. You want to make sure your bath mat is big enough for you and your dog. If they go crazy, trying to keep them in the tub could make you slip.
The post-shower spray can also blister your dog’s nose and ears. I have a detachable shower head that I can put on the wall when I use their shampoo.
This is harder to do with a regular shower head. I held Matilda in my arms and let her rinse under the spray and she would try to climb on me out of the water. Sometimes she grabs me, but if I let her hang out on the bath mat and spray her with the hand shower, she’s fine.
Can I use human shampoo on my dog?
Human skin and our soaps and shampoos are relatively acidic, so they are not safe for dogs. When used on dogs, human hair products, and even mild baby shampoos, can dry out the top layers of their skin. The skin can dry out and crack, making them more susceptible to itching, flaking, and infection.
If I’m going to wash my hair, I usually do it before letting the dog jump into the tub. Even though they don’t like baths, they actually tried to climb in before I invited them.
I think it’s easy for my dogs to jump into the tub because they want to be near me even when they are nervous about bathing. I think that’s why it’s easier for them.
What if I don’t want to bathe with my dog?
If you can’t or don’t want to take a bath with your dog, but you’re still looking for a better way, you can try a larger space like a bathtub or a baby pool. You can join them in a bathing suit or some old clothes so you can still get close to them and give them a good scrub.
Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using the sink or taking your dog to a groomer. The key is making it easy and comfortable for both of you to stay hygienic.
