How to Bathe and Clean Your Chihuahua

Your Chihuahua’s hygiene is dependent upon regular baths. All dogs get dirty. As your Chihuahua runs around outside, he will attract dirt and debris that mix with his natural skin oils.

Unfortunately, self-grooming alone won’t keep your Chihuahua clean. Your Chihuahua may lick himself after being outside, but some dirt and debris will remain trapped in his coat. It’s up to you to properly clean your Chihuahua by bathing him. What’s the right way to bathe your Chihuahua exactly?

The Importance of Bathing Your Chihuahua

Chihuahuas need baths just like we do. It will promote a healthier coat by removing trapped dirt and debris. Even if your Chihuahua looks clean, there’s probably dirt and debris embedded deep in his coat. When left unchecked, this can lead to a tangled and matted coat. Baths will clean your Chihuahua’s coat so that he looks and feels his best.

Your Chihuahua will smell better after getting a bath. Dogs can develop some funky odors. Maybe your Chihuahua has a yeast infection, or perhaps he has seborrheic dermatitis that causes him to produce an excessive amount of sebum. Just being outside on a hot summer day, in fact, can make your Chihuahua smell funky. Unless you enjoy cuddling up next to a stinky Chihuahua, you’ll need to bathe him.

Baths offer an opportunity to inspect your Chihuahua’s body. You can check to see if he has any injuries, such as cuts or scraps. Injuries are more noticeable if your Chihuahua has wet fur. You can also look for fleas and ticks when bathing your Chihuahua. If you rarely or never bathe your Chihuahua, injuries and pests such as these may go unnoticed.

Regularly bathing your Chihuahua will protect him from skin irritation. Skin irritation is often attributed to a dirty coat. There may be trace amounts of chemicals — household cleaning products, road salt, poison ivy oil, etc. — trapped in your Chihuahua’s coat that irritate his skin. Alternatively, your Chihuahua may be allergic to certain substances trapped in his coat. By bathing your Chihuahua, you’ll rinse away chemicals and substances that could otherwise irritate his skin.

It’s not just your Chihuahua who will benefit from regular baths; you and other members of your family may benefit from it as well. It will lower the risk of allergy attacks. Your Chihuahua’s coat may trap allergens to which you or members of your family are allergic. Research shows that 10% to 20% of the population is allergic to pet dander and 26% of the population is allergic to pollen. Your Chihuahua’s coat probably contains dander and pollen that can trigger allergy attacks.

Regular baths can help you manage your Chihuahua’s shedding. Whether he has a smooth coat or long coat, your Chihuahua will shed. Rather than allowing all of his loose fur to accumulate in your home, though, you can bathe your Chihuahua. A quick bath will allow you to remove some of your Chihuahua’s loose fur.

How Often Should You Bathe Your Chihuahua?

The longer your Chihuahua goes without a bath, the dirtier he will become. With that said, you don’t want to bathe your Chihuahua too often. Chihuahuas and other dogs produce natural oils like sebum that moisturize their skin and protect them from pathogens. Each time you bathe your Chihuahua, you’ll strip away some of his natural oils.

The frequency at which you should bathe your Chihuahua depends on several factors, such as how much time he spends outdoors and whether he has dry skin. Most Chihuahuas should be bathed every two to eight weeks. If your Chihuahua spends a lot of time outdoors, he may require more frequent baths. If your Chihuahua has dry skin, on the other hand, he may require less frequent baths.

Consult with your veterinarian to determine a suitable bathing frequency for your Chihuahua. After taking into account your Chihuahua’s outdoor activity levels, skin type, coat type and other factors, your veterinarian can recommend a custom bathing frequency.

What You’ll Need to Bathe Your Chihuahua

There are a few basic items you’ll need to bathe your Chihuahua. You may already own some of these items. If this is your first time bathing your Chihuahua, though, you may have to purchase others.

Here’s a checklist of what you’ll need to bathe your Chihuahua:

• Grooming brush: You’ll need a high-quality grooming brush to remove loose fur and knots from your Chihuahua’s coat. If your Chihuahua has an undercoat, consider using a slicker brush. If he only has a top coat, use a bristle-based pin brush.
• Dog-formulated shampoo: Avoid using traditional “human” shampoo. Instead, choose a shampoo product that’s designed specifically for dogs. Dog-formulated shampoo is gentler and less acidic, making it a safer choice for your Chihuahua.
• Dog-formulated conditioner (optional): You may want to pick up some dog-formulated conditioner when bathing your Chihuahua. While optional, conditioner can moisturize your Chihuahua’s skin and coat.
• Cup or handheld showerhead. You’ll need a cup or handheld showerhead. Using either of these items, you can rinse your Chihuahua with water before and after lathering him with shampoo.
• Non-slip bath mat. Like all dogs, Chihuahuas may struggle to maintain their balance when standing in a bathtub. Their paw pads aren’t designed for the smooth surface of a porcelain or acrylic bathtub. For a safer and more comfortable bathing experience, place a non-slip bath may at the bottom of your bathtub.
• Towel or blow dryer: You’ll also need a towel or blow dryer. When you are finished bathing your Chihuahua, you can pat him dry with a towel or run a blow dryer over his body.
• Treats: Don’t underestimate the importance of treats. You can use them to coax your Chihuahua into the bathtub prior to bathing him, and you can use them as a reward after you’ve finished bathing your him.
• Hair trap for the drain. A hair trap will protect against drain clogs. As you bathe your Chihuahua, some of his loose fur will be released. Without a hair trap, it will likely end up in the drain where it creates a blockage.

Steps to Bathing Your Chihuahua

Bathing your Chihuahua may sound light a straightforward process, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. To thoroughly clean your Chihuahua while ensuring he has a safe and positive experience, follow these steps.

Step #1) Choose a Bathing Spot

Start by choosing a spot in which to bathe your Chihuahua. Most owners prefer to bathe their Chihuahuas in the bathtub. Bathtubs are easily accessible, and many of them are equipped with a handheld showerhead for an additional level of convenience.

But you don’t have to bathe your Chihuahua in a bathtub. The breed’s small size opens the doors to other options, such as a sink or even a large plastic container. You can remain standing while bathing your Chihuahua in a sink, which may prove useful if you suffer from back pain. If you use a large plastic container, you can bathe your Chihuahua outdoors, assuming the weather is nice.

Step #2) Brush Your Chihuahua’s Coat

Before getting your Chihuahua wet, you should brush his Chihuahua’s coat. Using a slicker or bristle grooming brush, gently stroke through your Chihuahua’s coat. Brushing will remove loose fur while also eliminating knots and tangled.

Work the brush from the scruff around your Chihuahua’s neck all the way to his rear end. If you encounter a knot or tangle, don’t try to force the brush through it. Instead, hold the knot or tangle with one hand while using your other hand to “tease” it loose. Knots and tangles are easier to remove from a dry coat, which is why you should brush your Chihuahua before bathing him.

Step #3) Prepare the Tub

Now it’s time to prepare the tub (or sink or container). Place the hair trap at the top of the drain and fill the tub with 2 to 4 inches of lukewarm water. The water level only needs to reach your Chihuahua’s knees. If there’s too much water in the tub, your Chihuahua may feel stressed and anxious, or he may get some of the water in his eyes.

Make sure the water is lukewarm as well. The ideal temperature for bathwater is 96 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s too hot, it may scald your Chihuahua. If the water is too cold, it may place your Chihuahua at risk for hypothermia. You might be able to gauge the water temperature simply by feeling it. To err on the side of caution, however, consider using a thermometer for a more accurate temperature reading.

Step #4) Prepare the Shampoo 

Most dog-formulated shampoos are designed to be diluted with water. In their original and concentrated form, they are too thick to penetrate through a dog’s coat. Unless you dilute it, the dog-formulated shampoo will likely sit on top of your Chihuahua’s coat without actually reaching his skin underneath.

Refer to the instructions on the shampoo bottle for the proper dilution ratio. Some shampoos use a dilution ratio of 1:1, meaning you’ll need to mix it with equal parts water. Other shampoos use a dilution ratio of 30:1, meaning you’ll need to mix it with 30 parts water for every one part shampoo. Regardless, follow the instructions by mixing the shampoo with water in a temporary container, such as a cup.

Step #5) Wet Your Chihuahua

Place your Chihuahua in the now-prepared tub and wet him. You can use a large cup or pitcher to scoop water from the bottom of the tub and pour it over your Chihuahua. Alternatively, you can use a handheld showerhead to spray water onto your Chihuahua.

Whether you use a cup, pitcher or handheld showerhead, soak your Chihuahua’s entire body while using caution not to get any water in his eyes or ears. Water can irritate your Chihuahua’s eyes, and it can place your Chihuahua at risk for ear infections. Research shows that over 7% of all dogs will develop an ear infection in any given year. Infection-causing bacteria and fungi thrive in moist environments, including wet ear canals.

You can cover your Chihuahua’s eyes and ears to prevent water from getting in them. Some owners also plug their Chihuahua’s ears with cotton balls to keep them dry. 

Step #6) Later on the Shampoo

With your Chihuahua nice and wet, you can lather on the shampoo. Pour the diluted shampoo over your Chihuahua and massage it into his coat. Be sure to spread the shampoo throughout Chihuahua’s neck, back, stomach, legs, tail and paws. You can use your hands, or you can use a loofah or sponge. Regardless, there should be suds covering his entire body. 

To ensure that you don’t get any shampoo in your Chihuahua’s eyes or ears, use a washcloth to clean your Chihuahua’s head. Soak a clean washcloth in the shampoo and use it to gently scrub your Chihuahua’s head.

Step #7) Wait a Few Minutes and Rinse

After allowing the shampoo to sit for two or three minutes, you can rinse your Chihuahua. Shampoos are designed to bind to dirt and debris. When you rinse your Chihuahua, you’ll not only rinse away the shampoo; you’ll rinse away the dirt and debris trapped in his coat.

You can rinse your Chihuahua using the same large cup, pitcher or handheld showerhead that you initially used to get him wet. While pouring or spraying clean water onto your Chihuahua — use caution not to get any water in his eyes or ears — gently massage his body to work out the shampoo. Continue rinsing your Chihuahua until the water runs clear and there are suds remaining on his coat.

Step #8) Perform a Full-Body Inspection

With your Chihuahua clean and still wet, check his body for injuries, pests and medical conditions. You may not notice these things when your Chihuahua’s coat is dry. A dry coat will conceal your Chihuahua’s underlying skin. Only after getting your Chihuahua wet and performing a full-body inspection will you notice injuries, pests and medical conditions involving his skin.

Here are some common types of injuries, pests and medical conditions to look for when inspecting your Chihuahua:

• Cuts
• Inflammation
• Pyotraumatic dermatitis (hot spots)
• Sarcoptic mange
• Pruritus
• Folliculitis
• Skin ulcers
• Allergy rashes
• Lumps or bumps
• Fleas and “flea dirt”
• Ticks
• Infections

Step #9) Reapply the Shampoo (Optional)

Depending on how dirty your Chihuahua is, you may want to reapply the shampoo. If it’s been several months since you last bathed your Chihuahua — or if your Chihuahua has been playing outside — he may require an additional round of shampoo. 

The first round of shampoo should remove most of the dirt and debris, whereas the second round of shampoo will eliminate the rest. Repeat steps #5 through #7 to reapply the shampoo if needed.

Step #10) Apply the Conditioner (Optional)

You may want to apply conditioner when bathing your Chihuahua. Dog-formulated conditioner is designed to moisturize the fur and skin of dogs. If your Chihuahua suffers from chronic dry skin or brittle fur, incorporating conditioner into his bath routine may prove useful.

Conditioner isn’t a substitute for shampoo. They are two different types of grooming products with their own purpose. Shampoo is designed to clean dogs’ fur and skin, whereas conditioner is designed to moisturize and nourish their fur and skin. You should always use shampoo when bathing your Chihuahua, but you really only need to use conditioner if your Chihuahua has dry skin or brittle fur.

Common ingredients in dog-formulated conditioners include:

• Shea butter
• Coca butter
• Coconut oil
• Argan oil
• Jojoba seed oil
• Aloe vera
• Silk protein
• Colloidal oatmeal
• Fruit extracts
• Plant extracts
• Vitamin E

Like with shampoo, you should rinse your Chihuahua after applying the conditioner. Pour or spray clean water over your Chihuahua’s body until the water runs clear.

Step #11) Dry Your Chihuahua

Bath time isn’t complete without drying. If you don’t dry your Chihuahua, he’ll probably track water throughout your home. You may find wet spots on the floors, furniture, rugs, bedding and anything else your Chihuahua touches.

Particulate matter is also more likely to stick to a wet coat than a dry coat. As your still-wet Chihuahua rolls around, he will pick up dirt and debris. For a cleaner home, as well as a cleaner Chihuahua, you’ll need to dry him.

You can dry your Chihuahua using a towel or blow dryer. If you’re going to use a towel, choose a microfiber towel rather than a traditional all-cotton towel. Microfiber towels are made of small synthetic fibers, such as polyester, polyamide and polypropylene fibers, measuring less than 10 micrometers in diameter.

Benefits of using a microfiber towel include:

• Absorbs seven times its weight in water
• More effective at cleaning dirt and debris than a cotton towel
• Attracts loose fur to help control shedding
• Thinner than a cotton towel, making it easier to wrap around your Chihuahua’s body
• Gentle and non-irritating

If you’re going to dry your Chihuahua with a blow dryer, choose a blow dryer that’s designed specifically for dogs. Known as dog dryers, they are safer and easier to use.

Human hairdryers produce too much heat, with many of them reaching temperatures of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Dog dryers rely more on airflow rather than heat to dry a dog’s coat. They feature a powerful motor that blows air through a long flexible tube. As you run the tube’s nozzle over your Chihuahua’s coat, it will dry him without burning or irritating your Chihuahua’s skin.

Even if you dry him with a towel or blow dryer, your Chihuahua may still attempt to dry himself by shaking. It’s a natural instinct that kicks in when they are wet. Chihuahuas and other dogs will shake from side to side to dry themselves. Using a microfiber towel or dog dryer, however, you should be able to get most of the water out of your Chihuahua’s coat.

Step #12) Reward With a Treat

Always reward your Chihuahua with a treat, along with petting and praise, after a bath. Treats are a form of positive reinforcement. You can use them to encourage desired behaviors, such as going potty outside or taking baths.

Consistency is key when rewarding your Chihuahua with treats. For him to create a positive association with baths, you need to reward your Chihuahua each time you bathe him. If you only reward him with a treat after some baths and not others, he may not associate baths with positivity.

What to Do If Your Chihuahua Hates Baths

Some breeds, such as the Labrador Retriever and Newfoundland, love water, but the Chihuahua isn’t one of them. According to a survey conducted by Vetstreet, in fact, the Chihuahua ranks as the most water-shy breed among owners and veterinary professionals alike. If your Chihuahua hates baths, there are several things you can do to make it a more pleasant experience.

Don’t fill the bathtub or sink with water while your Chihuahua is standing in it. The sight and sound of water rushing out of the faucet can frighten him. Instead, wait until you’ve filled it with a few inches of water. After turning off the faucet, you can then place your Chihuahua in the prefilled bathtub or sink.

Using a non-slip bath mat may help. Your Chihuahua may panic if he’s unable to stand. Without traction, his hind legs may slip backward and his front legs may slip forward. As your Chihuahua frantically tries to regain his balance, he’ll panic.

Allowing your Chihuahua to slip around in the bathtub can also worsen existing joint conditions from which he’s suffering, including patellar luxation and arthritis. You can protect your Chihuahua’s joints and ease his bathtime anxiety by placing a non-slip bath mat where he stands. Non-slip bath mats are designed specifically to provide traction so that neither you nor your Chihuahua slip in the bathtub.

You may want to experiment with different drying methods. Some Chihuahuas have a natural aversion to getting towel-dried, whereas others have an aversion to getting blow-dried. Try both methods to see if your Chihuahua has a preference.

Desensitization can have a positive impact on your Chihuahua’s disposition toward baths. Desensitization is an approach to training that involves regular exposure to a stimulus that otherwise causes stress or anxiety, such as getting a bath. The general idea behind desensitization is to gradually expose the Chihuahua to the stimulus so that he becomes acclimated to it. 

Here’s how to desensitize your Chihuahua to baths:

• Introduce your Chihuahua to the bathtub without bathing him. Place him in the dry bathtub and after a minute or two, take him back out.
• After your Chihuahua has become accustomed to standing in the dry bathtub, fill it with a few inches of water. Now place your Chihuahua in the water-filled bathtub.
• If your Chihuahua exhibits signs of stress or anxiety — panicking, trying to escape, whimpering, etc. — take him out of the water-filled bathtub.
• Only after your Chihuahua is comfortable standing in the water-filled bathtub should you attempt to bathe him with shampoo. If he still exhibits signs of stress and anxiety while standing in the water-filled bathtub, you’ll need to continue with the sensitization sessions.
• Reward your Chihuahua with a treat during and after the desensitization sessions.
• Don’t make a big deal out of baths.
• Keep baths short. You should be able to bathe your Chihuahua in less than 10 minutes.

Another tip on how to deal with a Chihuahua who hates baths is to distract him. Most dogs get easily distracted. You can use this to your advantage by distracting your Chihuahua so that he focuses on something other than the bath. Petting and talking to him, for instance, will divert your Chihuahua’s attention away from the bath, or you can distract your Chihuahua with a treat.

Can You Bathe Your Chihuahua With Dish Soap Instead of Shampoo?

If you run out of dog-formulated shampoo, you may assume that dish soap is safe to bathe your Chihuahua with. After all, dish soap is designed to clean the dishes. If it was harmful, companies wouldn’t be able to sell it for the sake of public safety. While it may not make your Chihuahua ill, however, bathing him with dish soap has some drawbacks.

Dish soap may dry out your Chihuahua’s skin. Even most “gentle formula” dish soap contains grease-cutting molecules known as surfactants. They will separate grease from water, allowing for cleaner dishes. But these same surfactants can strip away your Chihuahua’s natural oils. Without these oils, your Chihuahua may experience dry and itchy skin.

Dish soap can increase the risk of skin infections in your Chihuahua. Oils like sebum do more than just trap moisture and protect against dryness; they protect against infections. Your Chihuahua has a thin layer of oils over his skin that functions as a germ-proof barrier. If you bathe your Chihuahua with dish soap, you may inadvertently destroy this protective barrier.

Dish soap may irritate your Chihuahua’s skin. In addition to surfactants, many of them contain artificial fragrances, dyes and preservatives. Ingredients such as these are typically gentle enough for our skin, but they are too harsh for dogs’ skin. Exposure to artificial fragrances, dyes and preservatives may damage your Chihuahua’s skin, resulting in localized irritation.

You can still use dish soap to occasionally bathe your Chihuahua; just don’t make it a regular occurrence and only use a few drops at a time.

What About Professional Grooming?

You don’t have to bathe your Chihuahua yourself. Whether you lack the necessary items, or if you simply aren’t comfortable bathing your Chihuahua, you may want to leave this task in the hands of a professional.

Most professional groomers offer bathing as a service. For about $30 to $40, the groomer will bathe your Chihuahua, complete with lathering on shampoo, rinsing and drying your Chihuahua. If your Chihuahua has a long coat, the groomer may also trim some of his excess fur.

Visiting a professional groomer can be a stressful experience for your Chihuahua. At home, you can desensitize your Chihuahua to the routine, making it a less anxiety-inducing endeavor. You won’t have this option if you take your Chihuahua to a groomer. With that said, most experienced groomers know how to deal with stressed dogs. They may adjust their body language or use calming oils to reduce your Chihuahua’s stress levels.

It may be stressful, but visiting a professional groomer is a form of socialization. It forces your Chihuahua to step outside of his comfort zone and into an unfamiliar environment with other people and animals. Therefore, your Chihuahua will become socialized if you opt for a groomer’s bathing service. Over time he will become more comfortable being around new people and animals.

In Conclusion

Bathing your Chihuahua is a vital part of responsible pet ownership. While they can perform some basic self-grooming, Chihuahuas can’t bathe themselves; they rely on their owners to give them a proper bath. By following the steps outlined here, you can give your Chihuahua a proper bath — even if he hates the water.

Does your Chihuahua enjoy baths? Let us know in the comments section below!