Your dog needs different amounts of care in different seasons. In the summer, you need to pay attention to the frequency and methods of bathing your dog. You don’t want your healthy pup to overheat from all that fur.
Dogs have natural oils that keep their skin healthy and hydrated even when it's hot outside. You have to know how often you should bathe them in the summer and what products to use for optimum comfort.
Let’s take a look at some grooming tips for bathing your pup in the summer:
Factors that Determine Your Dog’s Bath Routine
Dog’s skin
Dog skin is very similar to human skin, but there are some essential differences. Like humans, dogs have sebaceous glands that produce sebum’s oily substance. Sebum is a natural oil responsible for keeping skin and fur hydrated and preventing dryness.
The sebaceous glands in a dog’s skin concentrate more on the dog’s muzzle. There are more sebaceous glands on a dog’s muzzle than on the rest of its body. Because of this, the muzzle may need to be cleaned more often to ensure it's free of bacteria and dirt. If the muzzle is dirty or covered with bacteria, this could lead to an infection.
Dog’s hair
The fur of a canine is something that dog owners take for granted. It almost looks effortless, but it requires a lot of maintenance. A dog’s fur is a modified type of hair called keratinous spines. The furs are primarily composed of a protein called keratin. The protein is responsible for giving the hair strength and rigidity.
The hair of dogs has a couple of functions. One of the main functions of dog hair is to protect the skin.
For example, short-haired dogs have short hair because it’s easier to take care of. Long-haired dogs have long hair and thicker coat to protect their skin from harsh weather. The hair of the dog also helps to regulate body temperature. This is because the hair traps air, which is an excellent insulator.
Allergies and Skin Conditions
On top of everything, you must prioritize your pet’s health as pet parents, may it be hairless breeds, a labrador or golden retriever, a larger dog, or a smaller dog.
Skin allergies are not uncommon in canines, but they can usually be controlled with the proper routine and diet. You, a pet owner, can help your pet’s coat health by using a gentle shampoo and oatmeal-based conditioner.
Sometimes allergies can be seasonal, so you may want to use a pet-safe antihistamine if you notice a pattern. Allergies are more common in specific breeds, like poodles and Shih Tzus.
Activity Level
Dogs with high activity levels, like hunting or sporting dogs, may need more bathing than dogs who stay around the house all day. If you have a four-legged friend swimming, hiking, or playing in the snow, you may need to bathe them more often to keep their skin and fur clean. If you have a dog spending a lot of time indoors, you may only need to bathe them once or twice a month.
Age
If your dog is still a puppy, you’ll want to bathe them more often than an older dog, who would be more at risk for dry skin. You can also use gentle shampoos for puppies so they aren’t as affected by frequent baths.
Health
If your dog has a medical condition, you’ll want to be careful about bathing them too often. If your dog has a condition limiting their blood flow, like blood clotting issues, you’ll want to bathe them less often. You don’t want to open any wounds when you bathe them. If your dog has allergies or any skin infections, you’ll want to bathe them less often to prevent the spread of bacteria.
How to Properly Bathe Your Pup
Choose the Right Products
When choosing the right products for your dog’s summer bath, you have a few different options. You can choose a dog-specific shampoo or conditioner made for dogs. You can also choose a human shampoo and use a smaller amount. Avoid getting it near your dog’s eyes if you’re using human shampoo.
When choosing a shampoo or conditioner for your dog’s summer bath, you want to make sure it’s moisturizing. You also want to make sure it has a deodorizing or antibacterial effect. A dog shampoo or conditioner will usually smell like an herb or anise.
Have All the Tools You Need
When it comes to the bathing routine of your dog in the summer, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need on hand. A hose or a bucket, a scrub brush, and a towel are essential summer bathing tools. If you are using a hose, fill it with cold water.
Hot water can be uncomfortable on your pup’s skin. If you have a bucket, fill it with lukewarm water. After the dog washing process, you can also use a hose-out sprayer to rinse your furry friend. Clean your scrub brush regularly to prevent the spread of bacteria.
After bathing your dog, make sure you dry them thoroughly. A blow dryer is a quick and easy way to do so.
Bath Temperatures for Your Pup
The best temperature for a dog bath is around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You should avoid letting the water get much above this. If it does, you risk burning your pup’s skin. You can find a good bath thermometer to ensure the correct water temperature.
If you’ve got a younger dog, you may want to avoid letting them get too cold during a bath. If this is the case, use a washcloth or a warm, wet towel, damp cloth, or hair dryer to dry them off.
Time to Dry Off
It’s time to dry them off after your puppy has been fully bathed and rinsed off. A dog dryer is recommended because it dries your dog more quickly than a towel. Make sure you use a low-heat setting. If you don’t have a dog dryer, you can use a bath towel. Just make sure you pat your dog’s fur down instead of rubbing it.
When you’re drying your dog, you should start with its paws and legs. Next, move on to their torso, then their head. Drying your dog from its head down will help reduce the time it takes for them to dry. Also, check for their sensitive spots when drying them off.
Keep in mind that your dog is likely to shake off a lot of the water on their fur.
Benefits to Bathing your Dog
Removes Dirt and Odor
We all know that dogs love to get dirty. They will roll around in anything to get their fur nice and icky. Cleaning your dog with a bath helps remove all that dirt, dust, and fur accumulated on your pup’s skin. This dirt can cause a lot of different skin issues, including rashes. So, bathing your dog every so often can help prevent these health concerns by removing this dirt and any other harmful substances on your dog’s skin.
Additionally, a clean dog is less likely to attract ticks and fleas than a dog with a thick dirty coat. A regular bath can also help to control your dog’s odor. Some dogs tend to smell a bit worse than others, especially in the summer months when it’s warmer outside. Frequent bathing can help eliminate your dog’s stinky smell and any other lingering odors.
Strengthens Bond with Your Dog
If you wonder what age to bathe a puppy, this can also be a great way to strengthen your bond with your pup. For example, if you have a new dog, this can be an excellent way to get them acclimated to the bathing process. This way, your dog won’t be as nervous about being washed and will love spending time with you even more.
Bathing your dog can help you learn more about them as a dog owner. You can also notice if they have any skin issues or health problems that may require veterinary attention.
Softer Coat
Dogs love rolling around in the grass, digging into the dirt, and running around in the rain (or snow). Even if dogs have natural oils, these activities can cause your dog’s coat to become dull and coarse. A bath can help restore your dog’s coat to a softer and shinier state.
If you bathe your dog regularly, you can make their fur softer by adding a conditioner to their bath or brushing them with a soft brush after their bath. If your dog has a thick double coat, you may want to consider trimming their coat to make it easier to take care of.
This will help cut down on the shedding, even when it’s hot outside. Just be sure to find a groomer who knows how to trim a double coat, so your dog’s coat doesn’t end up too short.
Reduced Shedding
One of the main reasons to bathe your dog in the summer is to reduce shedding. If your dog has a thick coat of fur, bathing them may help to reduce shedding. If you have a dog with a single coat, you can also brush their fur more often to help with shedding.
Helps with Allergies
If you wonder how often to bathe a dog with allergies, you may want to bathe your dog more often. Regular baths can help cut down on any allergens in your dog’s fur. The extra fur can cause allergies for some people, so a regular bath can help to eliminate any allergens for everyone involved.
If you have a dog with allergies, you may also want to consider washing their bedding frequently. This can help to reduce allergens in your house and make it more comfortable for both you and your dog.
Helps Monitor your Dog’s Health
If you have an older dog, you may want to monitor its health during the summer months. Older dogs may have trouble regulating their body temperature, which can cause them to overheat. Bathing your dog can help bring their temperature down and prevent overheating and overheating-related health issues.
Suppose your dog is panting excessively, scratching itself, or showing any other signs of discomfort. In that case, you may want to take them to a veterinarian to ensure they are not suffering from heat stroke.
Tips for Bathing Your Dog Due to Fleas and Other Issues
- Use a medicated shampoo designed to kill fleas or alleviate itching.
- If your dog is covered in mud, consider washing them outside.
- Use a detachable showerhead to provide a deeper clean.
Avoid Over-Bathing with Walkee Paws
While there are plenty of ways to ensure that your pup feels more comfortable during bath time, it is still usually not most dogs’ favorite activity. Oftentimes, dogs need frequent bathing simply due to their dirty paws and limbs. It’s inevitable that dirt, germs, and debris will become entangled in their unprotected paws due to outdoor walks, park plays, and potty breaks.
Walkee Paws are an excellent solution for this. Unlike regular dog booties, these dog leggings stay on easily as they connect over the back. They come in four different sizes, an assortment of fun colors and patterns, and are even water-resistant. You can help your pooch avoid the dreaded bath with Walkee Paws!
People also ask
Do dogs need more baths in summer?
Dogs get dirty just like humans do, and they need to be bathed occasionally to maintain good hygiene. If your dog’s fur is matted and filthy, they could get skin infections and other health problems. Some dogs have specific grooming requirements, such as certain breeds of herding dogs who need regular trimming and clipping of the fur around their feet.
You can talk to your vet about how often your dog needs a bath based on their breed, how often they seem to get dirty, and any special grooming needs they might have. Dogs can also get stinky, especially in warmer weather when they’re sweating a lot.
Regular baths can help control odors, prevent fleas and ticks from flourishing, and keep your dog’s skin healthy. Remember that dogs’ skin and fur need to be adequately dried after a bath to avoid irritation and other problems.
Do dogs like warm or cold baths?
The water temperature you use when bathing your dog doesn’t matter much. Most dogs don’t care if they’re getting a warm or cold bath. If your dog is susceptible and can’t handle temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, you can use warm water.
Otherwise, cold water works just fine. The main concern with water temperature is that you don’t want to dip your dog’s sensitive areas, like their ears, in too-hot water. Otherwise, the rest of the bath can be colder.
Can you let a dog dry naturally after a bath?
Some people believe dogs should dry naturally after a bath to avoid skin irritation, but this isn’t always necessary. It all depends on your dog’s breed, season, and length of your dog’s fur. Dogs with short fur can dry naturally just fine, but dogs with long or thick fur don’t dry well on their own, especially in the summer.
Hot and humid weather causes extra sweating, making your dog’s fur sticky and matted. If your dog has a thick or long coat, they’re more likely to get skin irritation and infection if not properly dried after bathing.
Can you use human shampoo on dogs?
Human shampoo isn’t necessarily bad for dogs, but it’s not always the best choice. Some shampoos are formulated with better ingredients than others with essential oils, so it’s essential to read the label before buying. Some shampoos are even designed for dogs with special needs. However, there are some shampoos that you shouldn’t use on dogs.
Avoid shampoos that contain ingredients that are bad for your dog’s health, like alcohol, citrus, or peppermint. If you want to use human shampoo on your dog, choose one without harsh chemicals.
What time should I bathe my dog?
Ideally, you’ll want to bathe your dog around mid-afternoon, preferably around 3 p.m. The sun is the hottest, and your outdoor dog is probably the most active. Taking a mid-afternoon bath will help your dog avoid overheating, which is a concern for many dogs.
Avoid bathing your dog in the early morning or late night when temperatures are more relaxed. This will ensure your dog doesn’t get chilled and is completely dry before bedtime. You can also choose to bathe your dog indoors in the summer if that’s more convenient.
Final Thoughts
Your dog loves you unconditionally, and there is nothing cuter than a furry friend greeting you at the door every day after work. However, to properly take care of them, you will have to bathe them from time to time.
It would be best to be extra careful with how often you bathe your dog as a pet parent in the summer. The best time to do this is in the afternoon when the sun is at its hottest.
Having your pet brushed regularly and having a grooming schedule and bath time by attending a professional groomer would be a great option if busy days come during summer. They will also notice some dead hair and hair loss, correct the hair length, and remove the excess hair.
Make sure you use the right shampoo and give your dog plenty of time to dry before bed.