Puppies and kittens can be bathed at 4 weeks of age in shampoos designed for safety for animals. It is very important that young pets, especially, be dried sufficiently to prevent chilling and loss of body heat. Young animals can get hypothermia (loss of body heat) very quickly and actually die in a matter of hours if let unattended.

If the reason for bathing is fleas, dry skin, itching or other skin related disease, a proper diagnosis by a veterinarian should be attempted rather than continuing to bathe the pet repeated times when the original cause may not be under control. For example, if the pet has fleas and bathing is necessary more than twice weekly for flea control then additional measures of flea control should be investigated. Flea shampoo will kill fleas quickly but have no long lasting effect after the shampoo is rinsed. Therefore, within minutes the pet could have more fleas only to start the process over again. With the advent of total flea control, new advances in flea products such as Program, Frontline, and Advantage, there should be no reason to bathe a pet more than once weekly for fleas.

When bathing for dirty or smelly coats, most any pet shampoo will suffice. For repeated shampooing it may be best to consider a soap free or hypoallergenic shampoo such as HyLyt Shampoo available at your veterinarian's office. Bathing frequently with high soap products can cause irritation to the skin. It is very important to thoroughly wash all soap products out of the pet's coat to prevent irritation.

Medicated shampoos have a specific purpose. The secret to using medicated shampoos is to select the correct ingredient for the skin problem faced by the pet. Keep in mind that all "medicated shampoos" are not equal. Unless you are very familiar with reading chemical names on the ingredients label, it is best to consult your veterinarian concerning the proper selection of medicated shampoo for your pet. Medicated shampoos work on the skin in relation to contact time on the skin. Once the pet is lathered the shampoo must stay in contact with the skin for a minimum of five to ten minutes before rinsing. It is best to set a timer since time passes slowly when waiting, much like the saying "a watched pot never boils". If the medicated shampoo does not have the proper contact time, it serves little advantage over regular shampoo. The benefit to your pet will be minimal and the cost will be greater since most medicated shampoos are prescription type items and more costly. Many skin conditions can be controlled with shampoos as long as they are used correctly under the direction of a veterinarian.

Once you have consulted your veterinarian about the correct shampoo to safely use on your pet, you are ready to begin.

Young puppies and kittens up to 6 weeks of age.
Small animals can be bathed in the sink, bath tub, or some type of basin that will protect the pet from getting into deep water. First the eyes must be protected. It is best to use petrolatum eye salve, artificial tears, or whatever your veterinarian recommends. Eye injuries are common after bathing and most often can be prevented with eye protection. It is best not to apply water directly into the pet's ears. Protection is generally not needed - only avoidance of direct water contact to the ear opening.

If you are bathing the pet for the first time, make sure that you move slowly with the process. The water should be warm to the touch. Use a sponge, wash cloth or your hand to slowly introduce water onto the body of your pet. As your pet becomes more comfortable with the water, slowly put it into the basin, sink ,etc. with only enough water in the container to cover the bottom half of the pet's body. Once the body is wet you can add small amounts of shampoo to work into a lather. Cuddle, talk to your pet and reassure it that all is OK. Continue to lather and rinse the pet until clean. Once your have completed the bath, cuddle the pet in a dry towel and gently dry it while you talk to him/her. Hair dryers should not be used for the first few baths and then only at a distance to avoid frightening the pet.

Pets over 6 weeks old
Older pets are less likely to be afraid of a bath, especially if you bathed it at a younger age. If the pet is months old before the first bath, the steps above should be followed with the exception that the container must be larger, such as a bath tub. Use treats and toys for pets over 6-8 weeks old to make the bathing experience a fun time. If you have children, get them involved also. It is best that children not become too loud during the bathing so as not to frighten the pet.

Large dogs can be bathed outside with a garden hose, but should be dried reasonably well. Make sure that all the soap residue is washed out of the coat before finishing the project.

Bathing Cats
Most cats will tolerated a bath if started as young kittens. Use the same process as described above. Cats become scared easily with forced water out of a hose or sprayer. It may be best to have the clean water in a bucket and use a sponge or cloth to apply the water and rinse the shampoo. Sometimes a screen window frame can be used in the tub to allow the cat to "hang on the something". Cats seem to be less frightened when they can get there claws into something for security. It is best to use wire rather than you skin. There are many devices that look like wire cages that supposedly help you secure a cat. Remember that starting early in life, having patience and understanding for a cat's nature will generally suffice for a better bathing experience.

Some cats and dogs either do not like a bath, or the owners prefer to have someone else perform the service. Most veterinary hospitals will perform baths on all pets. Grooming shops and other facilities are available if needed for those who prefer not to get involved in the bathing experience.