Who doesn’t love a good spa day? The relaxing vibes, rejuvenation, the chance to feel like royalty for an hour – or more. Well, guess what? Your dog is totally down for it, too, even if they don’t know it yet. With the right setup, you can turn bath time into a next-level spa experience that’ll have your pup feeling fresh, fabulous, and ready to strut their stuff. That’s why we’re breaking down the best ways to treat your pet to a spa day.
Your pet might be in need of a relaxing spa day more than you think. Just like us, animals can feel stress and anxiety, and sometimes they need extra care to unwind. That’s why treating them to a calm, indulgent spa is the ultimate way to show your love and help them feel their best.
The Do’s and Don’ts for the perfect pet spa day
Do brush your pet before the bath. This is a great way to remove excess hair so it doesn’t clog your drain and is better than brushing when your pet is wet, which could lead to tangles or discomfort.
Don't brush your dog if they have mats or knots. Brushing your animal is a necessary and hopefully relaxing process. However, if you don’t regularly brush your pet, they may have knots or mats in their fur, which will make brushing over them painful. For dogs or cats with tangled fur, take them to a professional groomer. Then, brush your pet about three times a week to prevent future knots.
Do give them a proper bath. Bath time can be a soothing, relaxing experience for your pet. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Step 1: Get organized. Gather your supplies like shampoos, brushes, and maybe a fun bath toy for your happy pup. Run the water while you get ready so they can familiarize themself with the sound of it. You can add an extra dose of fun by setting up a licking mat that you fill with organic nut butter like almond or peanut, and your pup will enjoy the treat while being bathed.
Step 2: Wash your dog with lukewarm water to avoid burning their skin. The water should be comfortably warm to the touch but not hot. If your pup is 4 months or older, apply Wondercide Flea & Tick Shampoo to give them a good cleaning. This plant-powered shampoo is proven to kill fleas and ticks while showering your pup in a lovely peppermint scent from steam-distilled natural essential oils. There are no artificial colors, dyes, or fragrance so you can have peace of mind lathering up. Apply the shampoo in a line down the neck, back, and legs. Then rub the shampoo into their fur from head to toe while avoiding the eyes and ears.
Step 3: Let the shampoo sit for two minutes and massage it in. Every dog loves a good massage.
Step 4: Rinse your furry friend with more lukewarm water until their fur and skin are shampoo-free.
Step 5: Let your pup shake off the excess water and then finish drying them off with a towel before they decide to track water all around the house.
Don’t use a hot dryer. When drying your pup off after their delightful bath, avoid using handheld dryers with hot air. These can be dangerous and harmful for the animal. A dog’s skin is especially sensitive and can burn easily.
Don’t bathe your pet too often. Spa day is a special occasion. However, bathing your pup too many times can lead to skin irritation and wash away some of your animal’s natural oils. Depending on lifestyle, a monthly bath is typically enough to keep their coat clean and healthy. If your pup isn’t the outdoorsy type, a bath every two or three months should do the trick.
If your dog has fleas or ticks, you can use Wondercide’s Flea & Tick Shampoo up to once per week.
Do protect your pet from fleas and ticks. The finishing touch for bath time is protecting your loved one from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Once their coat is dry, give them a light misting with Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray. Spray body, belly, legs, and tail, then rub into the coat. Get as close to the skin as possible. Apply by hands to face and outer ears. Add a layer of protection with a peppermint collar or spot on.
Do clip their nails. On a human spa day, a trip to the salon is a must. For our dogs, clipping their nails is not only a spa-day activity, but also a necessity. Here’s how to properly trim their nails. The trick is to keep them as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
Step 1: Introduce the nail clipper to your dog before you start clipping so they have a chance to sniff and inspect it.
Step 2: Offer a treat or two for praise.
Step 3: Touch the clipper to each paw gently so they know how it feels, following up with another treat.
Step 4: Squeeze the clipper together on each paw without trimming the nail so they get familiar with the sound and feel. And then, you guessed it, give them a treat!
Step 5: Next, clip a very tiny piece of the end of one nail, being careful not to clip the quick, which is a sensitive area that can bleed and cause discomfort. If you’re unsure, look for the slightly darker area within the nail as a guide. For dogs with black nails, look for a small dot in the center of the nail as you trim the very tip of the nail and stop when you see this dot. That’s the start of the quick.
Step 6: Follow it up with more praise and treats.
Do give a great massage. Massages have been known to benefit animals similar to how they help humans. Massages can relieve anxiety, inflammation, and help soothe tight or pained areas on the body. Here are simple steps to give the ultimate doggy massage.
Step 1: Set the mood. Choose a quiet spot where your dog feels relaxed and comfortable.
Step 2: Start slow. Use gentle strokes to help your dog settle down.
Step 3: Focus on key areas: Gently massage their neck, shoulders, back, and legs with light pressure, avoiding bony areas. Watch their reactions: Pay attention to body language. If they seem tense, shift to another spot.
Step 4: Keep it short and sweet: A few minutes at a time is perfect to keep it enjoyable for your pup.
Step 5: End with love: Finish with soothing strokes and a cuddle to reinforce the bonding experience.
Do give them Wondercide’s skin care routine. Wondercide’s dedication to pet care goes beyond protecting them from unwanted insects. With Skin Tonic Spray, your dog or cat will have relief from dry, itchy, irritated skin, sun burns, hot spots, and other skin issues. Made with cold-pressed neem oil and other wonderful ingredients, this spray will get the job done while remaining safe for your pet when used as directed. Shake the bottle well and then spray the product onto your furry pal’s skin. Massage it in gently and you’re all set.
After spa day your pet will be feeling fantastic, and so will you! Everyone deserves to be pampered once and a while, especially our animal family members!
