How to clean a dog’s dirty belly? (Complete Guide)

Preparations

Give a bath once a month, or if your pup played in the dirt, only then is cleaning needed. To start, you need to decide first to choose the right place. An ideal place will depend on the dog’s size. Small or toy dog breeds can easily clean in the kitchen sink; however, a heavy dog needs plenty of space or a bathtub. If the climate is pleasant where you live, you can also perform cleaning outside.

Things you need

Shampoo, conditioner, treats, sponge, and towel are essential things that you need to initiate. Always use shampoo or condition specially made for dogs’ skin because the PH differs from humans. Using a human product can cause skin problems or irritate the dog’s eyes. You can take advice from a vet or pet groomer if you don’t know about the canine’s products.

Ideal water conditions

The water you use must be lukewarm, and ensure the pressure of a hose is always set low. Cold water makes your dog uncomfortable and is not good at dissolving dirt material.

How to clean your dog’s belly

When you’re ready with everything, here’s what you should do.

• First, brush the belly to remove matted hair, dirt, and remove parasites that stick to fur. Matted hair can be clogged in the sink and can stop the drainage pipes. What to do when your dog is shedding a lot? Click the link to learn how to stop excessive shedding.
• Check the temperature before bathing – Neither too hot nor cold. Put your pup in the tub or hold it in an open place, so there is no movement or escape. You can use your dog’s favorite treat to attract and keep it.
• After that, wet the belly of your dog but carefully with his eyes or ears. Wet ears can lead to infections so use cotton balls to cover dog’s ears. Always use a low-pressure hose or basket to store lukewarm water.
• Next, apply shampoo with water to the dog’s belly and give a gently massage clockwise and anti-clock wise. Keep the applied shampoo for some seconds or as mentioned on the shampoo bottle package description.
• Rinse all the shampoo; remember that leaving the shampoo on the tummy can cause itching and pH imbalance.
• At last, use a towel to cover the belly and do a gentle rub to dry the area. If you want the dry process quick, use a good quality hair dryer but set the heat low to avoid burning.
• Reward him at the end of the process to encourage him to calm down and change the behavior of escaping while doing the cleaning in the future.