Tips on Giving Your Dog a Plumbing-Friendly Bath

One of the main reasons people take their dogs to the groomers is because bathing a pet can be hard on plumbing. When you bathe your dog in your bath at home, dog hair inevitably makes its way into the drain, causing clogs that prevent the proper flow of water. Luckily, there are ways to bathe your pet at home and minimize the impact on your drains. Here’s how:

Brush before you wash

Not only does brushing your dog’s hair regularly keep its coat looking clean and shiny, it also keeps excess fur from going down the drain when you wash your pup. Right before you give your dog a bath, give them a good brushing to remove any loose hair, mats or debris that may be stuck in the fur. Make sure you’re using a specialized comb, brush or de-shedding tool that works best for your dog’s breed.

Soothe your pup to reduce stress-shedding

Did you know that situational stress can cause dogs to shed more? Bath time can be a stressful occasion for any dog, but it doesn’t have to be. Before putting any water in the tub, play a little game with your dog by tossing treats in the tub. When they jump in to retrieve the treats, praise them for a job well done. You can also invest in water-friendly toys as an extra incentive to get in the bath. By soothing your pup before and during every bath, you’ll make bath time much more enjoyable for both of you—and reduce situational stress shedding. 

Use a simple drain catcher

You can keep pet hair from going down the drain during baths by using a simple drain catcher. Place it over the drain area, then insert the plug and wash your furry friend as you normally would. When it’s time to drain the water, pull the drain catcher out—and all of the discarded pet hair that comes with it. The water will drain away, without sucking any excess pet hair down into your plumbing. As you’re cleaning up, make sure to wipe away any hair that’s sticking to the sides of the tub, to keep it from going down the drain later.

Skim the water before draining

Another clever way to keep hair from going down the drain as you bathe your pup is to skim the water and remove any floating fur. You don’t even need any special tools or items to do this—just use your hands and collect hair or debris that’s floating around. Using mesh strainer might make it easier, especially if you bathe the pup frequently.

Treat your pup (and your plumbing) right!

You don’t need to take your pup to the groomer every time they need a bath. In some situations—like when your dog has had a little too much fun in a puddle or in some muddy grass, it’s impractical to run to the groomer’s anyway. By following the tips described above, you can bathe your four-legged friend without worrying about fur entering your drain.

That said, if you’re dealing with a clogged drain due to pet hair or any other reason, contact PipeMasters at info@pipemasters.ca or call (289) 404-9063 right away to get your drains flowing smoothly again. PipeMasters is part of Oakridge Plumbing Ontario Ltd. and serves the East GTA, Durham Region, North to Lindsay & Peterborough, out to Cobourg and all points in between. All Rights Reserved.