In general, you don’t need to bathe your Shih Tzu too often. You should give your Shih Tzu a bath every 3 to 4 weeks. Puppies need more frequent baths because they tend to get dirty when they go to the bathroom.
During winter, when your dog is running in the mud, you may need to do it more often. Be careful not to bathe your Shih Tzu too frequently, as this can remove the natural oils from their coat, which can cause dry skin and other skin problems.If you wait too long between baths, your dog’s coat may accumulate excess oiliness and over time, it may start to smell bad, especially if you live in larger cities where car pollution can affect your dog’s coat.
How to bathe a Shih Tzu Taking care of your Shih Tzu doesn’t always involve giving them a bath. Brushing your Shih Tzu once will remove dirt and tangled hair and may be all they need to freshen up their appearance.
Brushing your Shih Tzu’s coat also spreads your dog’s natural oils evenly in their coat, which is good for the coat and keeps the hair follicles more active.When you brush your Shih Tzu, don’t just brush the top layer, lift the top layer to brush the lower layers of the hair.
Use a comb to dig deeper into the hair to remove tangles and also to get close to your Shih Tzu’s skin. By lifting the lower layer of hair, you can also check for skin damage or infections.
Don’t just limit yourself to the hair around your dog’s trunk, go deeper and brush the legs, tails, and even the toes.Giving your Shih Tzu a bath is not only good for health, but it’s also playtime, Shih Tzus seek play, which also creates a bond between you two.
Shih Tzus have their own way of cleaning themselves. Sometimes you’ll see them licking their fur, but just because they’re doing that doesn’t mean they don’t need a bath, especially if you’ve been out for a walk on a rainy day and they rolled in the mud.It’s important to establish a routine with your Shih Tzu so they know what to expect when they see you turning on the bathwater.
What kind of shampoo should I use on my Shih Tzu? There are many high-quality shampoos and conditioners made especially for Shih Tzu dogs. It’s important that you buy the highest quality dog shampoo and conditioner you can find.
When looking for the type of shampoo to use on your Shih Tzu, it can be quite daunting with the large variety available. There are a few things to look for that can narrow down your search and include shampoos that don’t tear.
The last thing you want to do is bathe your Shih Tzu and make their eyes sting with the shampoo. You can also look for a hypoallergenic shampoo, especially for Shih Tzu puppies. Some of the highest quality hypoallergenic shampoos contain avocado.
Avocado is rich in protein, full of vitamins, and amino acids, which is good for your Shih Tzu’s overall condition. Coconut oil is also added to dog shampoo, nourishes the scalp, strengthens the hair, and reduces excessive oil buildup on the hair and skin.
Can I use conditioner on my Shih Tzu? When you wash your own hair, you can use a conditioner to give your hair a little elasticity, the same goes for your Shih Tzu. Using conditioner can help break the hair, but it can also act as a barrier to prevent itching on your dog’s skin, which is beneficial for long-haired dogs like Shih Tzu There are some types of shampoo that you can use for your Shih Tzu, even a spray shampoo that not only conditions your dog’s hair but also protects it from the sun.
Unlike humans, where we rinse off conditioner after application, you can leave the conditioner on your Shih Tzu. Any conditioner that needs to be rinsed out is generally not strong enough for the Shih Tzu breed, so keep an eye out for the leave-in conditioner.
Some Shih Tzu dogs and especially puppies may have sensitive skin, so if you notice any dry skin or inflammation, consult your veterinarian for advice on shampoos and conditioners they would recommend.
Can I use baby shampoo on Shih Tzu? Shampoos made for humans are not a good choice for your dog as they can contain pHs. The pHs are added to human shampoo to help increase hair density and combat hair loss, this can cause irritation to your Shih Tzu’s skin so do not use them.There are a number of items you’ll need besides the shampoo and conditioner we talked about, they include.• A hair dryer made specifically for dogs
• Stainless steel double-sided dog comb
• Mixed bristle and nylon dog brushes
• Cotton balls
• Towels
Before bathing your Shih Tzu Before you start, you need to prepare everything you’ll need so you don’t leave your Shih Tzu alone. You can bathe in a bowl or in the shower. Make sure your Shih Tzu is happy in the bath, we want to make this experience really positive, so make sure they’ve eaten plenty of treats so they’re not afraid of this experience. If it’s the first time you’ve bathed your Shih Tzu, they may get quite nervous.
There are a few ways to introduce your dog to bath time, the last thing you want is your dog running into the bath when you’re trying to wash them, you need a calm dog so everything goes well. Let your Shih Tzu run freely in the house while you prepare the bath, they will get used to the sound of running water, so next time you’re ready for a bath the sound will be familiar.
Try adding one of your Shih Tzu’s toys to the bath, this will be a familiar item they can play with while you wash them. To make them comfortable in the bath, you can also put a bath mat down first, this will help them grip the bottom of the tub, preventing them from slipping.
Before getting your Shih Tzu wet, brush to remove any hair, it’s much easier to remove tangled hair when it’s dry than when it’s wet. As I mentioned earlier, lift the top layers of the hair to go straight to the lower layers, use a comb if necessary to make the hair as smooth as possible before bathing your Shih Tzu. If you’re one of those people who clip your Shih Tzu, bathing your dog will be much easier as there won’t be as many knots in their fur.
But if you prefer their fur to be longer, it will be more of a challenge. If the knots are really bad and you can’t remove them with a comb, there are detangling sprays you can buy in places like Amazon. They will help you deal with those tough knots in their fur