Regular bathing of your dog or cat may be necessary if they become dirty or muddy, smell bad, get in contact with an irritating substance, or develop a skin problem. In general, dogs need to be bathed much more often than cats, because cats groom themselves more thoroughly and regularly.

The rule of thumb as to how often to bathe your dog or cat is simply as often as needed. Over-bathing your pet may dry out its coat, but this varies depending on the pet and the shampoo used. The hair should be brushed before bathing to minimize matting and to remove loose hair. This also helps keep your drain from getting clogged with hair dislodged from bathing your dog or cat.

Avoid getting water in their ears or soap in their eyes. Bathing them from the neck down can prevent ear and eye injury. Sometimes wiping their head and face with a moistened washcloth is all that is needed. If you need to bathe their head, placing cotton in their ears and sterile ophthalmic ointment in their eyes may help prevent problems. Be sure you don't forget to remove the cotton when you're done.

Only use shampoos labeled for use on dogs or cats. Human shampoos tend to be too acidic and may irritate your pet's skin. Use lukewarm water to wet down the coat thoroughly prior to shampoo application. Gently work the shampoo into a lather and allow it to remain on your pet for a few minutes. Be sure to rinse very well after shampooing. Any shampoo residue which remains may cause your pet's skin to become irritated or itchy.

Dry your pet gently with a towel or a hair dryer on a low heat setting. Animals may be allowed to air dry if they are in a warm environment. Do not allow your pet to become chilled after bathing. If in doubt as to what shampoo to use, or on the proper procedure to bathe your pet, consult your veterinarian for advice.