Is It Safe To Bathe Your Dog In Your Shower Or Bathtub? Experts Weigh In On Germs.
Comedians Chelsea Handler and Kevin Hart recently had a debate on Handler’s podcast, “Dear Chelsea,” about dog owners bathing their pets in their showers and bathtubs — and Hart was not quite so paw-sitive about the cleanliness of that dog grooming approach.
The “Night School” actor was aghast at a comment from a listener that was read aloud during last week’s episode, in which the person said that she and her husband bathe their dog in the only shower tub in their home. The couple uses a shower attachment and diverter installed for their pup, the commenter added.
While Handler seemed amused by the dog shower attachment technique, noting that she also doesn’t think it’s a big deal to sleep in the same bed as your furry friend, Hart argued that dogs shouldn’t be bathed inside the home — or at least not in the same bathtub their humans use.
With so much information on the internet about dog grooming, and the germs dogs bring home to pet owners, it can be difficult to decide on what’s best and safest for you and your pup when it comes to baths.
Should you bathe your dog in your tub? What is the best method for bathing your dog? Here are some things to consider and precautions to take when bathing your pup, according to experts.
Should you bathe your dog in the same shower or tub you use?
Bathing your dog in your shower carries minimal risk to you and your dog, according to Dr. Carly Fox, a senior veterinarian at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City.
Fox explained that much of the concern with cleaning your pup in your tub is tied to the fact that your drain could clog from your dog’s hair and dander, which are the skin flakes found in an animal’s fur or hair.
“Dogs can bring dirt, bacteria and oils into the shower — but these are not dissimilar from what [humans] bring into the same space,” she told HuffPost. “The dog shower attachment can make bathing easier for you and your dog and is something to consider if you will use it often enough.”
Fox added that the decision to bathe your dog in your tub can ultimately come down to your personal preference — unless your pet has a contagious skin infection, such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which can be spread between animals and people.
In that case, you should avoid bathing your dog in the same shower you use.
What should you do after you bathe your dog in your tub?
Microbiologist Jason Tetro, aka “The Germ Guy,” explained to HuffPost that while people don’t generally need to worry about bathing their dogs in their showers — since, for the most part, the “microbial nature of dogs is pretty harmless” — dog owners should still disinfect their tubs after giving their furry friends a bath.
“On a day-to-day basis, the most important potential pathogens come from fecal matter. That includes Salmonella, Campylobacter and noroviruses. There may also be parasites that could end up causing some unhappiness in the human gut,” Tetro said.
“Because of the risk of pathogens, the best thing to do is disinfect the tub so that any pathogens that might have been left behind are killed,” he continued. “Make sure to follow the label and let the disinfectant sit for as long as directed.”
Tetro explained that standing to shower, versus sitting to take a bath, may be safer for pet owners who bathe their dogs in their baths since there are no portals of entry on the feet, and pathogens can only cause an infection if they enter the body.
But nonetheless, dog owners who disinfect their tubs after bathing their dogs should be fine to take a bath regardless.
Fox also noted the importance of disinfecting, but added that people shouldn’t stress about choosing the right disinfectant products.
“These do not [need] to be anything special, just the same products you would normally clean the shower/bath area with,” she said.
What is the best method for bathing your dog?
Tetro advised that dog owners focus on avoiding cross-contamination, washing their hands and other safe practices.
“The most important place to think about is the anus. Use a separate wash cloth and keep that area isolated,” he said. “Once you have completed that area, start a new cloth and dispose of the current one. If you wring it out, make sure it’s right above the drain.”
“Make sure you don’t cross-contaminate and wash your hands separately,” he continued. “Then you can wash the rest of the body.”
Fox said she prefers to bathe her own dog in the outside shower in her yard. But for those who prefer to bathe their dogs in their tubs, she shared some tips from her own experiences washing her pup in the tub: A drain protector can help avoid excessive hair going down the drain, and a non-slip mat can help keep the dog safe.
“You can also have your dog bathed professionally, either at home or at a groomer. However, this comes with an added expense and possible stress for your pet,” she said.
While people have their own preferences, and situations, that may factor into their decisions on how they groom their dogs, it’s important to consider best cleaning practices, your dog’s health and what works best overall for you and your pup.
