Benefits Of Giving Your Dog An Oatmeal Bath

1. Dry Skin

If you've noticed your dog scratching more than usual, it could be because he has dry skin. An oatmeal bath can help moisturize the skin and keep it from drying out. If your dog stays outside during the day, then an oatmeal bath can greatly benefit in this situation as dirt and the heat of the day can sometimes trigger dry areas on the skin to occur more often than if your dog were indoors for the majority of the time.

2. Skin Conditions

There are a few skin conditions that need to be quickly treated before they get out of control and cause serious issues for your dog. Some of these conditions that can be treated with an oatmeal bath include flea bites, allergies, and hypothyroidism. You can take your dog to a veterinarian to determine the exact skin condition that needs to be treated in the event that medications are needed along with the oatmeal bath. Your dog will likely begin to feel comfortable within a few days of having an oatmeal bath if some of these conditions are present.

3. Moisturizes

Just as you want to keep your skin moisturized, you need to keep moisture in your dog's skin as well. Oatmeal baths can help lock in natural oils that keep the skin and the coat from drying out. Although you might not see any signs of dryness or a lack of moisture right away, it's possible that it can arise in no time, especially during the spring and winter months when the air is drier than it is in the summer.

4. Appearance

Even if you don't take your dog anywhere, you still want him to have the best appearance possible. An oatmeal bath can make your dog's coat shine and make it soft instead of dry and coarse. Your dog usually won't have issues with hair loss or issues with a coat that has a dull look when you give him an oatmeal bath instead of using a lot of pet shampoo or soap in the bathwater.

5. Happy Dogs

After an oatmeal bath, your dog will probably feel relaxed and comfortable. This can make your dog happier and can often make him sleep better at night. The aroma of the oatmeal can often help your dog relax as well. You can add a small amount of lavender oil in the water to help your dog relax even more. The lavender can also work with the oatmeal to help your dog's coat shine and to help with dry skin.

Although taking a bath and caring for your skin might be second nature for you and other family members, it's usually not something that your dog thinks about during the day. This is why it's important to bathe your dog on a regular basis to keep his skin and coat healthy. An oatmeal bath offers these protections while also creating a relaxing environment during the bathing session.

How To Give A Dog An Oatmeal Bath

Step 1: The first thing that you want to do is create a fine powder with plain oatmeal. You want to make sure it doesn't have any sugar or fruit additives because these could irritate your dog's skin. A coffee grinder is a way that you can get the oatmeal to the consistency that you want. If the oatmeal is a fine powder, then it doesn't clump in the water or on your pet's skin.

Step 2: So that your dog doesn't slip in the tub and so that you stay upright while bathing your dog, you can put a non-slip mat in the tub before filling it with water. In the event that you or your dog slips in the tub, it can cause serious injuries. Oatmeal is beneficial to use as it's not as slippery in consistency as shampoos and soaps can be when they are mixed in water.

Step 3: After the mat is in place, you can begin filling your tub with warm water. Don't get the water too hot, using a thermometer to check the temperature so that it's comfortable for your dog. The water should be at the level of your dog's chest as you want enough water for bathing but not too much for making a mess on the floor. Stir the oatmeal in the water until it's dissolved before putting your dog in the tub.

Step 4: Sometimes, your dog might not like the idea of being in a tub for humans. As you lead your dog to the bathroom, praise him for his efforts. When he's in the water, make sure you pet him and talk to him in a positive way so that he wants to stay in the water. Don't try to rush the process of bathing as it could frighten your dog and make him not want to take a bath as often in the future.

Step 5: After wetting your dog with the water, massage his skin to show him that you're not there to hurt him. Use your hand to pour water over his back and his head so that he doesn't get too much water on him at one time. Next, put some of the oatmeal on his skin, massaging as you would if you were using soap or shampoo. Try to keep your dog in the water for about 15 minutes, not letting the water get too cool as it could make him want to get out.

Step 6: Rinse your dog with clean water after his skin is massaged and his fur is clean. Make sure the oatmeal is out of your dog's fur as it could begin to clump a few hours later, causing your dog to become irritated. A shower spray device is ideal for rinsing your dog after bathing, but make sure the water is warm so that he feels comfortable.

Step 7: Get your dog safely out of the tub so that you can dry him off. Don't be surprised if he tries to shake the water off of him as this is a natural reaction for dogs when they are wet. Use a soft towel to gently pat your dog's fur and skin until he's dry. If possible, keep him inside for the rest of the day so that he stays clean and so that he doesn't get too cold outside from having a bath.

Step 8: Brush your dog's fur with a soft brush or comb to remove any oatmeal that you may have missed. Comfort him if he seems afraid or doesn't seem to understand what's going on as it could be shocking for some dogs who aren't accustomed to having a bath all the time. This is also a time when you can apply lotion to your dog's skin to help keep it moisturized.

Step 9: Consider applying a paste to your dog's skin to help lock in moisture as well. This can be beneficial if your dog does have to stay outside as it acts as a barrier against dirt and sometimes fleas and ticks. Monitor your dog's condition as you might need to give him a bath a few days later if he still seems to have irritated skin.

Step 10: Make your dog comfortable so that he can take a nap. If you added lavender oil to the water, then you could see your dog get into a comfortable position on his own and go to sleep. You can also give your dog a snack if bathtime is close to the time he usually goes to bed so that he feels like he's been treated like royalty by his owner.

How To Make An Oatmeal Paste For Spot Treatment

Step 1: Start making a paste by getting half a cup of oatmeal. Grind the oatmeal into a fine powder so that it's easier to combine with water. You can adjust the amount of each ingredient depending on the size of your dog and the size of the area of skin you need to cover.

Step 2: Bring your dog inside your house to make him comfortable while applying the oatmeal paste. Have a washcloth or a towel handy in case he decides to try to get away from you while you're applying the paste. Consider playing soft music or talking to your dog so that he feels comfortable during the process.

Step 3: Gently apply the oatmeal paste to the most severe areas of your dog's skin first. Rub the paste into his skin, making sure there are no clumps of oatmeal left behind. You can then begin rubbing the paste onto other areas of his skin as a way to offer protection for future irritations.

Step 4: Put a warm towel on your dog to try to keep him from licking the paste off of his skin. This will give it time to settle into his skin so that it can offer the most benefits. If possible, leave the towel on your dog for about 15 minutes. You can then brush or comb your dog's hair to remove excess oatmeal, but you don't want to rinse it off.

Step 5: If needed, you can apply the oatmeal paste a few times a week. Keep your dog inside as much as possible to keep his skin clean. You should soon see a decrease in how often your dog is scratching as well as the amount of hair your dog is losing if this has been an issue as well. If the oatmeal paste doesn't seem to work, then you can contact your vet to get a stronger medication.