How to Bathe a Dog With Oatmeal

Medium
20 - 60 Minutes
4 Weeks

Introduction

Oatmeal baths for your dog can help to soothe dry, itchy skin. Oatmeal can be ground up and added to warm bath water for softer water. You can also make an oatmeal paste with water and ground oats, soothing your dog’s skin and coat. Oatmeal shampoos help with flakes on your dog’s skin as well as treat skin allergies.  Oatmeal masks can leave a protective layer on your dog’s skin, which helps prevent oncoming dryness and additional itching. You can bathe your dog using oatmeal in water, add oatmeal to shampoo, make an oatmeal mask, or soak the dog in oatmeal without using a dog wash at all. 

Dog's Perspective

If your dog has dry, itchy skin, he might be a bit apprehensive about taking baths at all. For dogs who have a horrible skin condition, you can stop wet baths and use an oatmeal paste to soothe and clean your dog’s skin until his sensitive skin and pain have eased. This paste is brushed out once dried. Don’t forget, a tasty treat helps too.

The Soak and Soothe Method

Most Recommended
7 Votes
Slicker Brush
Towel
Step
1
Prepare
Grind a cup of old-fashioned oats in a blender or coffee grinder to a fine powder. Make certain there are no added sugars in your oats. An instant oatmeal will work but be sure they are only oats and no added ingredients.
Step
2
Bathtime
Fill your tub with warm water in preparation of giving your dog a nice soothing bath. Add the oats you ground to the water and use your arm to mix the oats into the bath. You should feel the softness the oats leave on your skin. This is a soothing bath.
Step
3
Just add dog
Put your dog in the water. You’ll want the water high enough to reach his stomach or higher if he tolerates it. Use a cup to pour the soft water over your dog’s fur and skin.
Step
4
Soak and wash
Let your dog soak in the water while you massage the oatmeal bath into his skin. The oats in the water can help clean your pup, eliminate odors, and soothe any skin conditions he has.
Step
5
Rinse
After you have massaged the oatmeal into your dog’s skin and fur and let him soak for ten minutes, rinse the mixture off the dog with clear warm water.
Step
6
Dry and brush
Use a towel to dry your dog and brush out his fur. Avoid using a hair dryer on sensitive or dry skin.

The Oatmeal Mask Method

Effective
2 Votes
Slicker Brush
Pin Brush
Towel
Step
1
Cook oatmeal
Use old-fashioned oatmeal and cook to recipe using hot water. Be sure to use only oats and not any added flavors or sugar. Make enough to spread over your dog’s body.
Step
2
Towel
As the oatmeal cools, set up a place to apply the mask to your dog. You’ll want your dog on a towel or outside where the oatmeal can dry and drop to the ground without making a mess in your home.
Step
3
Mask
Spread the cooled cooked oatmeal onto your dog’s skin and into his fur. There is no need for a thick spread. Think of this as an oatmeal mask for your dog. You’ll want to have a thin layer of oatmeal all over your dog’s body.
Step
4
Dry mask
Like all great spa masks, let the oatmeal mask dry. You dog might lick or eat some oatmeal as it’s drying. Don’t worry about this. He won’t ruin the mask and the oatmeal is good for him.
Step
5
Dry brush
After the oatmeal has dried, brush it out. Dust will fall to the towel you have on the floor, but much of it will absorb into the skin and fur. The oatmeal mask will absorb any unnecessary oil and continue to soothe any dry spots on your dog’s fur. Brushing the dried mask out will also take dirt out of the fur.

Caution & Considerations

  • Oatmeal baths are soothing to dry, irritated skin. There is no need to buy oatmeal bath solutions when you can make your own at home.
  • Be sure your dog takes time to soak in the oatmeal bath for the soothing effect to have time to soften his skin.
  • An oatmeal mask is perfect for small areas too. If your dog has hot spots, you can use an oatmeal mask to spot treat these areas one at a time instead of using the oatmeal mask for your whole dog.
  • Oatmeal and cornstarch mixed together make a great dry mix for cleaning a dirty dog post-surgery who cannot get wet.
  • Oatmeal not only soothes dry, itchy skin. It can also absorb odors and freshen a dog who hasn’t had a bath in a while.
  • A dry oatmeal bath can soak up excess oils for your dog who may have oily skin or fur.
  • If your dog’s skin is sensitive, be cautious of water too warm as it may irritate the skin more.
  • Oatmeal isn’t just for the skin. You can also give your dog oats to eat. Oatmeal added to your dog’s meals can help with digestion and regularity. 

Conclusion

If your dog has dry skin, an oatmeal bath is perfect for soothing itchy skin. Bring your dog back to beautiful and get rid of any paw-ful hot spots or dry areas with an oatmeal mask or soak. Adding oats to regular bath water can also condition your pup's fur, giving him a fur-ever fluffy coat.

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

Grooming Questions & Answers

Question
Batman
Poodle mix
6 Years
1 found helpful
Question
1 found helpful
Batman
Poodle mix
6 Years

My dog has a hotspot i like home remedies would the oatmeal bath help him

Darlene Stott
Darlene Stott
Dog Trainer and Groomer
0 Dog owners recommended

Hello, little Batman is pretty cute! Sorry to hear about the hot spots that he has. There are a few home remedies. Take a look at this excellent article from Wag! on how to take care of the problem. https://wagwalking.com/wellness/natural-solutions-to-your-dogs-problem-hot-spots I will stress though, to take Batman to the vet if the hot spots do not clear up quickly. You don't want him to get an infection as a result. Good luck!

Question
Bonzo
Yorkshire Terrier
5 Years
0 found helpful
Question
0 found helpful
Bonzo
Yorkshire Terrier
5 Years

I was just wondering how often I can give my dog an oatmeal meal bath. He has many diagnosed allergies that often get worse in this hot weather so I’m hoping that oatmeal baths will help his skin but obviously don’t want to over do it and end up drying his skin out more

Darlene Stott
Darlene Stott
Dog Trainer and Groomer
0 Dog owners recommended

Bonzo is a cute little guy! I wouldn't bathe him more than twice a week. The vet who diagnosed the allergies and cares for Bonzo can make an accurate decision on that, though. The vet knows his history and as well, may prescribe a gentle shampoo with itch relieving properties that won't dry the skin. I hope this helps and good luck!

Question
Max
Doberman Pinscher
6 Months
0 found helpful
Question
0 found helpful
Max
Doberman Pinscher
6 Months

He has bad skin. I got him some shampoo for it. I did tried the bath but I had the pay soaking in water for days. Had 2 buckets of pay water. I worked for one day n started straching the nxt day. I'm gonna try the mask and see.

Darlene Stott
Darlene Stott
Dog Trainer and Groomer
0 Dog owners recommended

Thank you for the question. Max is a cutey! Due to his young age, I would take Max to the vet so they can diagnose the cause of the dry skin. There could be several reasons and the vet can determine the cause, which will give Max relief from the itching. Don't use a harsh shampoo from the pet supply store because it may make things worse. The vet can prescribe a gentle product that will help the skin. Good luck!

Question
Crystal
Labrador Retriever
6 Years
0 found helpful
Question
0 found helpful
Crystal
Labrador Retriever
6 Years

Yeast infections in one ear, itchy skin.

Wondering if i can use groundup wheat bran as a soothing bath for her skin and help her ear it is so dry and she hates when we use the medicine and its very hard to give it to her, but she "tolerates" a bath.

Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
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