• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Winter dog baths: 7 ways to clean your dog during cold weather

Posted November 22, 2021

Jack Russell terrier is blown dry after a winter dog bath. When the temperature drops, switch to winter dog baths including dry shampoo, warm water, towel baths, or work with a professional groomer.
Use a hairdryer after winter dog baths to prevent your dog from getting cold.

Bathing your dog regularly is an essential element of dog care. And the need to keep your dog healthy and clean doesn’t stop during the winter. 

Experts suggest that dog owners should bathe their pooch at least once every four to six weeks depending on the breed. Bathing helps protect your dog from infections and diseases.

Although abiding by this healthy practice is no big deal in summer (especially if your dog loves to play in the water), it’s quite challenging in winter. When the temperature drops, laziness, and chills get the better of our dogs just as it does for us.

As a result, keeping your dog clean may become the toughest task you’ve to accomplish. 

So, here in this brief guide, we’ve brought you seven possible options for winter dog baths. 

Most of the options provide an alternative to a traditional bath. However, some of them provide hacks you can implement in regular baths or showers.

Let’s check them all.

Warm up the bathwater

Perhaps, the first and most obvious approach for a comfortable winter dog bath is to use warm water. If you prefer bathing your dog in a tub, fill it up with warm water. 

Note that we do not mean lukewarm water. But warm. The temperature of the water should be approximately 98-104 °F or 37°C-40°C. You can check the temperature using a thermometer. 

Since higher temperatures tend to increase heart rate, we recommend keeping the water temperature between 86-95°F or 30°C-35°C if you’ve recently taken your dog for a walk.

The same applies if your dog has had a lot of physical activity just ten minutes before the bath. You should also keep the temperature low if your dog has a bulky structure. Their body heat will also contribute to the overall heat generated. 

Don’t forget to double-check the temperature using a nozzle. Spray some water from the prepared bathtub on your skin. If the water feels burning hot, you should give it some time to cool or add cold water.

Try dry shampoo

Dry shampooing refers to a waterless bath. In this mode of bathing, you will not be exposing your dog to any water.

You can pick a good waterless shampoo from this list of top ten. And most come in liquid or spray form. Some even come in powder form. Just apply the product to your dog’s coat following the instructions on the packaging. Then, brush the coat thoroughly.

Note that waterless shampoos are all chemicals. Although they are a great time-saver and option for a winter dog bath, we do not recommend repeated usage.

Give a towel bath

By towel bath, we refer to light cleaning. Wet your dog’s towel and use it to clean its ears, eyes, and nose. Gently rub the damp towel over the paws to clean them. You also can rub the wet towel over their coat. Do not apply any soap or shampoo.

This is perhaps the best method for a winter dog bath because you’re achieving two goals at once. You’re balancing both emotional and physical dog care.

Your dog will remain healthy and protected with a towel bath. And at the same time, your dog will be thankful to you for not pushing it into a shower on a cold day.

Prepare an indoor bath

Dog Corner identifies 45 degrees Fahrenheit (about 7°C) as a temperature that’s considered cold for dogs. If the temperature has dropped that low in your area, don’t continue with an outdoor bath. Instead, take your winter dog bath inside.

Prepare your bathtub or your kitchen sink if your dog is small. Arrange all supplies, including shampoo, soap, towel, grooming tools. We also recommend using a hairdryer after the bath.

Try a self-service dog wash

If you think you don’t have enough space at home or if you don’t want to clean up after a dog bath, take your dog to a self-service wash. Here you pay and get access to a fully-equipped washing space.

In case your dog has allergies or any other special needs, you can make particular requests. Although you may have to pay a bit extra, it’ll maximize comfort and convenience for your dog.  

Hire a professional groomer

Or, you can use plan B. If you feel your dog is difficult to handle turn to a professional.

Professional groomers clean your dog from ears to tail thoroughly. Although it may cost more, and you may have to prepare your dog for the session, it will save you time and effort in the long run.

Take your dog for a walk before bathing

Physical activity increases the heart rate and raises your dog’s body temperature, making it more ready for a bath or shower. Walking your dog also will help tire it out, potentially making your pup calmer during its winter dog bath.

Final thoughts on winter dog baths

Summing up, dog winter baths may be difficult. But they aren’t impossible. With the right strategy, you can get your dog cleaned without much hassle. Good luck!

Shawn Mack is a content writer who offers ghostwriting, copywriting, and blogging services. His educational background in the business and technical field has given him a broad base from which to approach many topics. He is also fond of writing engaging articles on technology & digital marketing-related topics.  

Is it better to have two dogs?

 

Related Posts

  • Labradoodle poses with a snow-covered face. To protect your Labradoodle from winter's cold, keep the dog's coat clean and healthy, and consider using a sweater and boots.
    Brr! 5 winter care tips for Labradoodles

    To provide Labradoodle winter care to protect your dog from…

  • Happy beagle runs in snow. Don't hibernate! From walks and baking treats to creating puppy art. Discover 10 winter dog fun activities you can do with your dog.
    10 ways to have fun with your dog in the winter

    Don't hibernate! From walks and baking treats to creating puppy…

  • Winter dog-walking safety tips: Woman walks dog on leash on street
    7 winter dog-walking safety tips

    Winter dog-walking safety tips: Keep walks short, protect your dog's…

  • English Springer Spaniel gets its hair trimmed. Dog winter coat maintenance tips suggest keeping your dog's hair trimmed short on his feet and the back of his legs during winter.
    Do you know the right length for your dog's winter coat?

    Dog winter coat maintenance tips: Brush often, bathe rarely, add…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Grooming Tagged With: Dog bath

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Old dogsPetfinder.comThanksgivingPet sitterSeparation anxietyValentine's DayPotty trainingPomeranianSocializationYorkshire terriertraining tipsPawSmall dogsPuppy-proofWaterRescue dogService dogsVeterinarianPuppy kindergartenPoodleVacation dog careWorking dogsPit bullTicksPet parentsOutdoor activitiesRottweilerSheddingPandemicTwo dogs

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Use 5 factors to choose the best veterinarian for your dog
    Research thoroughly and consider location, services, experience, cost, and staff before choosing the right vet for your dog. […]
  • Fight insomnia: 12 tips to help your dog get good sleep
    The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy. Help your dog sleep all night by ensuring it gets enough exercise. […]
  • Dog fears: 10 ways to fight separation anxiety
    Separation anxiety is one of the most common dog fears. Use our 10 steps to help your dog become more confident and overcome her fear of being left alone. […]
  • Is amoxicillin safe? What antibiotic is most effective for dogs?
    Consult your vet before giving your dog antibiotics. Know when your dog needs medication and watch for allergic reactions. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more