The 10 Best Dog Washers
Special Honors
Dakota 283 Groom Pro This is both a washing and grooming station as the tub converts into a table where you can place a dog for post-bath brushing, blow drying, and trimming. When you have it in tub mode, you can use its closable side door and leash attachment to contain pets. also, it has a standard 3/4-inches threaded connection to hook up to almost any hose, and deep pockets to store cleaning products. dakota283.com
Dog On It Parks Dual Dog Wash Station If you have an outdoor space and more than one dog who loves to roll in the mud, then this washer is for you. It makes easy work of rinsing off active pooches, with a leash attachment to keep an animal close, and two metered hose outlets. It has rust-resistant, stainless steel construction too, so that it should stand up to years of use. dog-on-it-parks.com
Editor's Notes
February 21, 2020:
Some animals love to step into a tub or play in the water, while others will do anything to get away from it. So considering the many habits and preferences of both pets and their owners, we wanted to offer a truly diverse list of products that help wash Fido in a number of ways and under various conditions.
For active or busy pooch parents, we included some portable options. The Kurgo K01567 is quite compact, and you can simply attach it to your water bottle to create an on-the-go shower. While it was easy to travel with, we decided to eliminate the Paw Legend Portable to make room for the Chooseen Portable, which has the same function as the former, but with the added benefit of a detachable scrubber lid that doubles as a body brush.
We wanted to include models that can connect to your bathroom shower, too, in case you don't have an outdoor space to clean your canine. So the Wondurdog Regular Home Kit, the Waterpik PPR-252, and the Rinse Ace 3 Way 94068 all snagged a spot. Just make sure you have a big fluffy towel nearby to dry your fur baby before he runs around the house. We removed the Reege Sprayer Attachment, because its handle is a bit too short, and pet owners don't need one more obstacle when trying to wash off an animal.
Those looking for both a place to wash their pets, and the tools to do so, will like the Flying Pig FBA_FP, the Pet Projects Inc. Scrub A Dub, and the Booster Bath Elevated, each of which is comprised of a tub and accessories to help you give a thorough bath.
Why Do You Need A Dog Washer?
They also don't make it any easier to deal with a squirmy pup.
There are two kinds of dogs in the world: those that don't like getting baths, and those that really don't like getting baths.
If you've ever tried to struggle with a soap-covered dog in a slippery bathtub, then you know how difficult it can be to get your pooch clean without accidentally killing yourself. That's why, if you plan to continue grooming your dog yourself, you should seriously consider getting a dog washer.
There's a wide variety of options out there, but most of them have a few things in common. They usually have a flexible shower nozzle that you can either attach to your faucet, or that's hooked up to an internal water supply in the unit. Most of them include brushes or some tool for corralling loose hairs. They might even have vacuums to suck up every stray bit of dirt and fuzz, so that your furry friend is completely clean when you're done.
That doesn't mean that they're not without their drawbacks. Many of them can be loud, which is bad news for any pup that gets spooked by the vacuum cleaner. If the machine stresses him out, he'll try to avoid it just as much as he does the bathtub — and stress can make him shed even more, completely defeating the purpose.
They also don't make it any easier to deal with a squirmy pup. You'll have more freedom in regards to where you bathe him, of course, but if he's strongly opposed to the idea, he can still make the experience difficult.
Still, you're likely to find that the whole experience is at least a little bit better with a dedicated washer — whether that justifies the price tag depends on how much that's worth to you, and how often you bathe your dog.
And we promise we won't tell if we catch you trying it out on yourself.
Tips For Bathing Your Dog
Bathing a dog can be like trying to ride a bull, and then in the middle of the ride, somebody hands you a wet, slippery dog.
Fortunately, there are some ways to make it at least a little easier.
A good bath actually starts before the water flows. You should introduce your dog to the area he'll be bathing in, whether it's the tub or kitchen sink. Give him plenty of treats and praise so that he'll associate it with good feelings. You can even teach him to get in on his own, and pair it with a command (we suggest, "Get in.").
Also, brush him thoroughly before you start, unless you want to spend a fortune on drain cleaner.
Aim at your hand, and let the water drip off onto him from there.
Once he's fine with the bath (for now), you can turn the water on. Make sure it's the right temperature — lukewarm is what you're aiming for. Use the nozzle on your shower or washer to get him wet, but don't spray him directly at first. Aim at your hand, and let the water drip off onto him from there.
Make sure you have the right shampoo as well. Don't use your own, as human shampoos can dry out his skin. If he has sensitive skin, get a shampoo that's designed for that, and find one that won't irritate his eyes and ears.
Even though you already brushed him (you did brush him, right?), you should stop the drain all the same. If you have a nonslip surface to lay down, use it. This can be a rubber mat, a towel, or anything else you have handy.
Use a little bit of shampoo (just run a thin line down the top of his back), and rub it in thoroughly. Hopefully, he'll enjoy this part. Start at his neck, and work down — go down each leg, and end with the tail. Then rinse him until the water runs clear.
When it comes time to dry him off, you'll likely want at least three towels. Put one on the floor to prevent slipping, drape one over him, and keep another handy for later. Use the one draped over him to get most of the water, and then when it's soaked, the second one can finish the job. You're not going to get him completely dry, but you should get pretty close.
When you're done, it's time for more praise and treats.
How Often Does Your Dog Need A Bath?
It's a delicate balance. You know your dog probably needs a bath at least some of the time, but it's such a chore that you never actually want to do it.
So, how often should you be bathing him, anyway?
Certain dogs have oily coats, like basset hounds, and these dogs should probably be bathed a couple of times a month.
A lot of it depends on the breed. Certain dogs have oily coats, like basset hounds, and these dogs should probably be bathed a couple of times a month. Others that have smooth coats can go a few months at a time. Obviously, if your dog has a skin condition, you should bathe him as often as your vet tells you to.
If you have a dog with a thick or waterproof coat — such as golden retrievers, huskies, and the like — then you should very rarely bathe them, as they have a delicate balance of natural oils that you don't want to strip away. With these dogs, you should probably focus on brushing more than bathing, and suds them up only when they truly need it.
Ultimately, you probably won't go too far wrong if you only bathe your dog when there's a clear reason, such as being caked in mud or smelling like Death Incarnate. That's good news for both you and your pup, as you can spend more time cuddling and less time struggling.