How to Bathe a Dog After Flea Treatment

So, you discovered fleas on your dog, applied a topical treatment judiciously over your dog's body, and now he has just gone out in the yard, found the one area of mud in over a ¼ acre of perfectly good yard, and rolled in it. Now what? If you bathe your dog you risk diluting or washing off the flea treatment. What do you do? 

Well, here’s what not to do: do not bathe your dog and then reapply the medication, as this could result in your dog getting too much anti-parasitic medication which could make him very ill. You could wait it out, after all, if it’s just dirt and a little dirt never killed anyone yet did it? I guess that depends on whether you have all white upholstery, an obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a weak heart! But what if it's not just dirt, what if it’s ….err… filth, then you may need to take action. 

You have a few options, read on for more information.

Your dog does not know that just because you have given him flea treatment, he now can’t get dirty, and no amount of explaining it to him is going to change that! If you have a mud monster mutt, you may want to choose a product that allows for bathing soon afterward or contain your dog to keep him clean for the specified period of time required for the product to take effect. Remember there is no point getting angry at your dog for getting dirty, he didn't read the leaflet that came with the flea treatment!

• Avoid bathing and then reapplying flea treatments, as this could result in an excessive dosage of flea medications, which can cause toxicity in your dog.
  
• Most flea treatments provide specific instructions on how soon you can bathe your dog afterward. If your dog is particularly mishap-prone, try to find a treatment that allows bathing shortly after treatment.
  
• Do not let your dog lick off topical flea treatments after application. Ingesting the medication can make your dog ill.
  
• If necessary, contain your dog in the house, a kennel, yard, or run to avoid your dog becoming soiled or dirty for a few days after treatment.
  
• Do not let your dog swim after treatment for the same length of time bathing should be avoided.
  

If you apply flea treatment, be aware what the manufacturer's instructions are on how soon you can bathe your dog afterward and take precautions to avoid needing to bathe sooner. If the unthinkable happens, spot cleaning may be an option. Also, some products allow for bathing shortly after application. Follow product instructions carefully and if you have no choice but to bath your dirty doggy, consult a veterinarian regarding appropriate reapplication of flea treatments and when it can be safely conducted.