How To Clean A Dog Without Bathing

How to Clean a Dog Without a Bath

Easy

5 - 10 Minutes

1 Week

Introduction

Your pooch stinks but you can't give him a bath! There are several circumstances where giving your dog a regular bath may be impossible or impractical. After a dog has had surgery and has an incision you should avoid bathing, which can contaminate incisions and loosen stitches. A dog that is very pregnant or has just had puppies may be uncomfortable being bathed or cannot be moved from her puppies. Sometimes you come across a dog that just hates baths so much that avoiding them at all costs and finding an alternate way to clean the dog is more practical than traditional bathing.

Fortunately, there are several alternatives for cleaning your dog without resorting to the traditional bath with water and shampoo. So whether your dog is just temporarily not batheable, or whether you are looking for a permanent non-bathing solution, good news! You have lots of options available.

Dog's Perspective

Most dogs don't mind baths, but they also don't mind being dirty so maybe they just are not too picky. Some dogs, however, hate baths and water and an alternative cleaning method may be a viable solution. There are also some circumstances where your dog may not be feeling much like having a bath. If your dog is sick or injured, very pregnant, or has just had surgery or puppies, your mucky mutt may not feel up to having a bath, or it may be uncomfortable or even dangerous for him. Cleaning your dog without a bath will keep your pampered pooch feeling clean, without compromising incisions or causing pain or discomfort from handling when your dog is not up to a usual bath.

Caution & Considerations

Be careful with essential plant oils. Certain oils can be toxic to dogs even in small amounts, and many are harmful if used in large amounts and absorbed through the skin, or if your dog licks them off. Consult with a veterinarian or holistic veterinarian on appropriate oils and amounts before using for cleaning.
If spot cleaning your dog, make sure you remove detergent residue with a damp cloth to prevent your dog from licking it off afterward.
Be sure to examine your dog when cleaning, to look for signs of parasitic, bacterial or fungal infections or other health conditions.

Conclusion

If your dog can not have a regular bath, leaving him dirty is still not an option. You will need to come up with an alternative way to keep him clean. If injuries, illness or severe water aversion make bathing impractical, there are a number of options to keep your canine companion clean. Spot cleaning, brushing, clipping and dry bathing can all be employed to remove dirt debris and clean soiled areas on your dog.

Success Stories and Grooming Questions