Is your dog shivering after bath time? Here’s what to do…
Just as you would with your own bath, it’s important to get the temperature of your dog’s bath just right. That means it should neither be too cold, nor too hot.
Make sure to put water in the bath before you put your pooch into it – having them stand in an empty bath while you fill it up with water which may not be the right temperature can be distressing, especially if they are prone to shivering.
Ideally, you want the water’s temperature not to be too far off the ambient temperature of the room/house so that the difference between the two when you take your dog out to dry isn’t too marked – the sudden change in temperature can add to the shivering problem.
On that note, try your best to do everything you can to make the room/house as pleasant a temperature as possible. In the colder months, notching up the heating for a little while just before the bath can go a long way to help, or placing your pet’s bed closer to a source of heat for them to cozy up in after can also be a good idea.
You might also want to avoid bathing your pet late at night, too – unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Many dogs find baths to be a slightly traumatic experience, which can contribute to shivering after the bath.
If that sounds like your dog, try to only bathe them when it’s strictly necessary. Dog wipes, refreshing sprays, or brushes might be a better alternative for those that struggle with baths if they just need a light clean.
When it can’t be avoided, try your best to make the experience as calming as possible. Use a gentle, reassuring voice and have plenty of the best dog treats on hand to show your dog that they’re doing really well by being in the bath.
After you take them out of the bath, don’t just leave them to it. Stay with them to carry on with the reassurance and treats. You can also hold them to make them feel calm or stroke or fuss over them to make it an enjoyable experience.
Before you even run the bath, make sure you’ve got everything you need to hand.
Don’t leave your dog standing frightened in the bath while you fumble around looking for that bottle of the best dog conditioner you’ve just invested in or having to go to the other end of the house to fetch towels once the bath is over.
Speaking of towels – have at least two next to you when bathing your furbaby. The first can be used when you’re picking your dog out of the bath to mop up the vast majority of water and you can use the second towel to finish off the job and make the overall process quicker.
The faster you can make the washing and drying process, the less likely you are to have to deal with shivering.
You should also aim to have a freshly clean and dry blanket ready for your dog to snuggle into once they are almost completely dry. This will help them keep as warm as possible while they finish off the drying process.
One way you can also speed up the process is by using a hairdryer on a low heat and a low power. This won’t be suitable for every dog – particularly nervous ones who might not like the noise – so make sure to only use one if your dog is completely happy.
Common Reasons Why Your Dog Is Shivering After Their Bath
Some of the most common reasons why your dog keeps shivering are:
One of the most common reasons why your dog keeps shivering is because it’s natural.
Science says that a dog’s fur can help in reducing heat loss. However, after a bath, the fur can trap plenty of water. This definitely results in more loss of heat.
So, to prevent it, your dog may start shaking or shivering to dry off their fur and to reduce the heat loss.
You need not worry if your dog just does it once or twice. However, it becomes a cause of concern if they keep shivering for long.
Another reason why your dog keeps shivering or trembling during/after the bath is because of the wrong water temperature.
You may think that hot water can keep your dog warm and safe.
Now, this is important to note. Just like extremely cold water, hot water can also harm your dog.
The bottom line is the water should be lukewarm to keep your dog from going crazy and shivering after the bath.
Some dogs may absolutely love to take a bath! However, there are plenty of them who may even run away after hearing the word ‘Bath’.
So, if you feel like your dog belongs in the latter category, hear me out.
Your dog may hate the suddenness of bathing. If you suddenly keep them under a shower or use a harsh spray, they’re bound to shiver.
Instead, try to be gentle and patient while giving them a bath. You can also reassure them that everything is fine.
Your room’s temperature also plays a huge role in shivering.
For example, if you have bathed your dog in lukewarm water and you suddenly bring them out in a cold room, they will start shivering.
So, don’t forget to warm up your dog before taking them outside if it’s chilly!
Step 1: Keep Observing Your Dog
Here’s the big tip: You need to stay alert at each and every step.
You may wonder why? Well, your dog can start shivering or shaking at any point in time.
They may simply start by shaking their ears. However, they won’t stop there. They’ll start shivering and shaking their entire body till you have no idea about what to do.
So, whenever you see it happening, try to calm your dog. Calming dog treats such as Zesty Paws’ Calming Dog Treats (Link to Amazon) are what I always recommend for new dog owners that struggle to find ways to easily calm their jittery dog’s nerves.
How to Prevent Your Dog From Shaking After a Bath!
Have you been wondering if your dog shivering after a bath? I know I have been through this several times. I thought it was just my dog sleeping, and I continued to use the same shampoo and conditioner. Of course, after a while, I came to realize that my dog wasn’t sleeping. It was shaking.