Give a pregnant dog a bath
To the question "can I give my pregnant dog a bath?" ", The answer is yes. You can give a pregnant dog a bath if necessary, but only if you take the following precautions:
- It is necessary to make sure that the bathtub in which you plan to wash your dog is equipped with a non-slip surface in order to avoid slips which could cause falls or shocks. In the absence of a non-slip mat, you can cover the bottom of your bathtub with a folded towel which will prevent your animal from slipping.
- Always use a non-medicating dog shampoo approved by our veterinarian. Some treatment shampoos are likely to contain toxic components for pregnant bitches and for unborn babies. This is particularly the case with antiparasitic shampoos or products that contain essential oils.
- Throughout the bath, be sure to handle your dog with care and without sudden movements. Do not apply pressure without his abdominal region.
- Stop bathing immediately if your dog is particularly agitated or shows significant signs of stress.
- Dry your dog carefully when you get out of the bath, so that she doesn't catch cold.
When bathing is not recommended
Although bathing is possible for most pregnant bitches, there are circumstances in which it is not recommended.
This is particularly the case:
- At the end of gestation, when the dog needs tranquility and is looking for a place to nest in anticipation of labor. During this period, it is better not to stress her or disturb her unduly. During the days before whelping, make sure your female dog gets dirty as little as possible by avoiding wet or muddy walking areas.
- If your dog can't stand being bathed usually. If she is particularly nervous or agitated at bath time, there is no reason for this to change while she is pregnant. By trying to escape from the bathtub or by struggling, your dog could then hurt her and risk losing her babies. It is therefore recommended to wait until your dog has given birth to give him his bath. In the meantime, just wipe it with a damp washcloth or clean it by applying a dry dog shampoo followed by brushing if it's gotten a lot dirty.Again, remember to check that the dry shampoo does not contain any harmful substances for pregnant bitches and their young.