No, No, NO! *Sigh.*
That seems to be a pretty standard human response to a canine’s bad decision of hopping through a murky puddle. One minute you’re trotting along, side by side, not letting a little rain get in the way of your W-A-L-K. The next minute, you’re trying to devise a plan of action — where are your buckets, some older towels and your brush, etc. How do you clean mud off a dog?
At All Paws Pet Wash, we’ve planned for that contingency so that you don’t have to. Let’s run you through it, step by step.
1. Brush Your Dog
It seems like a simple, logical first step, but this step is crucial, and it’s imperative that you brush your dog soon after its error, especially if it’s a longer-haired dog. Otherwise, mud will begin to dry and mat, and combing it out while it’s dry can prove difficult and painful for the dog. The easier you make it for them, the easier they’ll make it for you.
If you have a garage, breezeway or utility room, it may be easier to complete this step there since your dog will likely shake to get the mud off, sending it everywhere.
A slicker brush ought to do the trick for most dogs, but we encourage you to research the best type of brush for your pet.
2. Get Them to the Bathtub
If you haven’t already, get your dog to a place where you can wash them. Hosing them off if it’s warm outside is the easy way out, but if it’s cold, you’ll need to bring them inside to a room where you feel comfortable cleaning them. The bathtub is a good place to start.
In general, you want to clean the mud off the dog by rinsing them with a hose or bucket full of water. Use warm water and talk to your dog in a calm, reassuring tone — getting mud cleaned off of them can be a new experience for them too.
3. Shampoo the Dog
The next step is to get a good pet cleaning shampoo ready. Beforehand, if you have a long-haired dog, you may want to brush them again just to make sure untangling is easier.
Follow the directions on the shampoo, and apply it to your dog’s fur. Don’t overdo it — too much shampoo can dry out the dog’s skin.
4. Rinse the Dog Off
Once you’re satisfied that you got most of the mud and dirt off, it’s time to rinse the pup off. You can repeat the same step you used to knock the mud or dirt off initially. Make sure you get their underside rinsed thoroughly. If your dog feels squeaky clean, he’s been rinsed well and is ready to be dried off in whatever way you think is safest and best.
An Easier Way to Clean a Dirty Dog
Cleaning your dog doesn’t need to burden you with additional house cleaning too. At All Paws Pet Wash, we can save you that mess. Our pet wash stations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We offer five types of shampoos, a disinfectant spray, and a vacuum and dryer to dry your pet after the wash. Best of all, we’ll save you from a bigger mess at home as well as the money you’d spend at the groomer! Find a pet wash near you today.
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