Bathing the Frenchies
It's bath time for My French Bulldogs.
My dogs are groomed and checked for ticks and fleas every day. I have always been a firm believer in regular brushing and bathing - every couple weeks for the dogs, and about once a month for my cats. Last week, it was bath time for my French Bulldogs, Creme Brûlée and Bête Noire. When bathing pets, it’s important to always use lukewarm water and only mild pet shampoos - we use my own Martha Stewart shampoos and conditioners from my collection on Amazon - I hope you use these products on your own dogs. If not, click on the highlighted link to order.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- My line of pet shampoos and conditioners on Amazon is completely natural, hypoallergenic and gentle enough for regular bathing. The formulas are also paraben and sulfate free. My collection includes an all-purpose formula, an itch relief formula, a special moisturizing formula and a two-in-one tearless shampoo and conditioner formula for puppies.
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- Bath time for my small dogs and cats takes place in the big laundry room in my Winter House basement. I have two large, deep enameled sinks there, which are good for soaping and rinsing. Here’s Carlos making sure the water temperature is just right. He also adds a small amount of shampoo to the water, so it is diluted before the dog is placed into the sink.
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- Creme Brulee is first. These Frenchies are just the right size for these large sinks. My Chow Chows are much bigger, especially Han – they get bathed in the tub.
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- My dogs are very accustomed to being bathed. They have had many baths, but always keep a close eye on pets whenever they’re in a sink or tub – some are very quick to move.
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- Because the shampoo is diluted in the water, Enma simply pours some on top of Creme Brulee’s back to wet her coat. Apply the shampoo from the back of the neck to the tail and always be very careful around the face, ears, and eyes.
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- Once she feels the lukewarm water, Creme Brulee starts to relax. Enma uses a massage brush to lather up the shampoo.
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- Be sure to also shampoo the dog’s chest and stomach. My shampoo formulas are all pH balanced for dogs and great for pets with sensitive skin.
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- Enma uses a moist face towel to carefully clean Creme Brulee’s face.
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- She also makes sure to clean her mouth and flews, or lips. These areas can often trap dirt or food.
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- After applying the shampoo, rubbing it in, and letting it soak into the coat a few minutes, rinse well with clean, lukewarm water.
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- The important thing is to get any traces of soap out of the coat.
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- And then Carlos dries Creme Brulee very, very well. Here she is all wrapped up in a large terry towel.
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- Once Creme Brulee is on the grooming table, which is also located in the basement across the room from the sinks, Creme Brulee gets brushed with a soft bristle brush.
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- Carlos blow dries her short coat while Enma wipes her ears.
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- Enma also carefully wipes her face, and the creases on either side of her nose.
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- Next is Bete Noire. She doesn’t mind the bath either, and stays very still in the sink.
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- Always use shampoos specifically designed for pets. Shampoos formulated for humans are much more acidic than those for dogs. The pH of dog skin is very different from that of human skin. While human skin has a pH of around 5.5 to 5.6, a dog’s skin is much more neutral, averaging a pH of between 6.2 and 7.4. And, don’t use too much shampoo. Carlos pours about a quarter-sized amount into his hand and then into the warm water.
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- Bete Noire is soaped from neck to tail and under the body. Bath time is also a good time to check for any abnormalities in the skin.
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- After shampooing, Enma gives her a thorough rinse all over the top of her body.
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- Carlos then rinses her back side and underbelly.
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- Despite this expression, Bete Noire is not frightened or upset at all. The French Bulldog is known to be comical, entertaining, and dependably amiable. My Frenchies make everyone laugh here at the farm.
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- It isn’t long before Bete Noire and Creme Brulee are back in their bed for a little nap. The two Frenchies are now clean and comfy. I think they’re waiting for their treats.
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- Emperor Han and Empress Qin, it’s your turn to get bathed. Who wants to go first?
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