Your Is it bad to wash your dog with cold water? Expert Advice

Bathing Your Dog in the Winter

If you normally bathe your dog outside using your hose during the warmer months, you’ll probably have to adjust your routine during the winter, as it might be too cold to bathe your dog outdoors. Like humans, dogs can suffer from hypothermia, so it’s vital that you only wash your dog under the proper conditions when it’s cold. This usually means bathing your dog indoors in a warm environment. If you’re going to do it yourself, washing a dog in winter involves some work to keep them comfortable. Here are six tips:

Control air temperature: The first step is to make sure your home is warm before, during and after your dog’s bath and until your pet is completely dry. If your home doesn’t have central heat, use a space heater to keep the bathing area warm and allow your pet to dry off after.

Maintain water temperature: Only use warm water to bathe your pet. While your dog might enjoy splashing around in cold bath water when it’s hot outside, it’s unsafe to wash your dog with cold water during the winter, especially if they normally have to relieve themselves immediately after getting a bath. If your dog must go to the bathroom after getting a bath, make the trip outdoors as short and close to home as possible.

Prepare warm towels: Before you bathe your dog, warm up some thick towels in your dryer. After the bath, let your pet shake excess water from their coat. Then, use the towels to absorb remaining water from their fur and body.

Prepare for post-bath: Make preparations to keep your dog inside until they are completely dry. In general, it’s wise to bathe your dog early in the day — especially if they have thick fur — so they’ll be dry before their evening walk.

Adapt to the animal’s lifestyle: If you have a dog that lives outside, you can still give them a good cleaning, even when it is too cold to bathe a dog outdoors. You can use a dry shampoo to avoid getting your pet wet.

Find a quality washing location: If you want to wash your dog on your own but don’t want to run the risk of clogging your tub’s drain with pet hair, you should find an All Paws Pet Wash station near you. Washing your dog at a self-serve pet station is safe, fun and hassle-free. You don’t even need to bring your own shampoo when you bring your dog to an All Paws Pet Wash! Use our Find a Pet Wash Site locator now!

All Paws Pet Wash locations are available in numerous places to help you give your dog a great clean. If you decide to go ahead with washing your dog on your own, here are some additional tips to ensure you have a happy pup afterward:

How cold is too cold to bathe a dog?

According to the Dog-Grooming Training website , the temperature should be above 90F/32C if you plan on washing your dog outside. Will it really matter if it’s 80? Probably not, but if your dog is older and frail, I would keep my eye on the temperature.

Washing Your Dog with Cold Water – The Cons

There are a few potential drawbacks to using cold water when washing your dog. For one, it may not be as effective at removing dirt and debris from their coat. It can also make it more difficult to rinse out any shampoo or conditioner that you may be using.

Another thing to keep in mind is that cold water can cause your dog to shiver. If this happens, it can make the washing process more stressful for them.

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Not all dogs like taking showers, but whether they prefer the spray of the shower head or a pre-filled bathtub, the temperature needs to be comfortable. Water thats too cold or too hot can be uncomfortable or even painful for your pooch, so make sure that both the water and the environment are just right for your dog. When you do, you may find that he doesnt mind being cleaned up as much as he used to.

No matter what the water temperature is, if the room is cool, its going to chill your dog—probably to an uncomfortable degree. Before you get the tub or shower ready, make sure that the room is warm and free of drafts. Close the window and any vents that may be blowing cool air, as your dog is going to be susceptible to losing body heat once his skin and fur is wet—even if the water is warm.

Whether your dog is taking a shower or a bath, the water should be lukewarm, not very hot or cold. Cold shower water is as uncomfortable for a dog as it is for you, and hot water can inadvertently burn his skin. Hot water also increases the risk of drying out your dogs skin too much, causing lasting discomfort and itching. When you wash a dog, you strip off moisturizing natural oils, which is why you shouldnt typically wash him more than once a month or so. Washing him with hot water only exacerbates the problem.

All dogs are different, and that includes their varying preferences for showers or baths. While some dogs find it fun to be showered with clean water and will splash around, others become severely anxious when it comes time for grooming. Generally, dogs who are nervous about grooming prefer the relatively quiet, subdued bath to the comparably loud, high-energy shower. If youre trying to introduce showering to your dog, start small, such as by using an extendable showerhead to rinse him when you give him a bath.

Because dogs should be bathed or showered with warm water in a warm environment, giving your dog an outdoor shower from a garden hose generally isnt preferable. This type of water typically comes out unheated, and even on a warm day, the frigid water can be uncomfortable for your dog. If its a breezy day, the combination of cold water and the wind can make your dog not just uncomfortable, but potentially dangerously cold, so resist the urge to simply take him out back and hose him down.

Tom Ryan is a freelance writer, editor and English tutor. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English writing, and has also worked as an arts and entertainment reporter with “The Pitt News” and a public relations and advertising copywriter with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.