Wash Your Dog in the Tub? Tips to Avoid Clogs

Some dogs have a lot of hair! If you prefer to bathe your dog at home, you could face problems with hair clogs in your drain. You need to protect the drain and clear the clogs before they become serious so you can avoid expensive plumbing repair bills. These tips can help.

Brush Your Dog Before Bath Time

Comb your dog before bath time to help eliminate loose fur from your dog’s coat before your pet gets in the bath. The more often you brush your dog, the less stray hair will be in your dog’s coat at bath time. Use a fine-tooth comb to catch as much dog fur as possible. This is an important step even if your dog has short fur, as all dogs can shed in the water.

Keep Stray Hairs Out of the Water

While you’re washing your dog, you might notice a lot of stray hair getting stuck to your hands. When this happens, avoid the temptation to rinse the hair off in the water. Instead, wipe the hair off on a paper towel or wipe the hair off on the walls of your shower. This keeps stray hairs out of the water and reduces the chances of a major clog.

Use a Drain Filter

You’ve probably seen drain filters in home improvement stores and hardware stores. A good drain filter can catch hair before it goes down the drain.

If you don’t have a drain filter for your bathtub, you can make your own drain filter if you have disposable wipes and a removable bathtub drain. Simply place a disposable wipe over the drain opening, then put the plug in place on top of the disposable wipe and fill the tub with water.

When bath time is over, remove the plug and hold the disposable wipe in place. The disposable wipe will act as a filter that catches the hair before it goes down the drain. When the water has been completely drained, remove the disposable wipe and throw it away.

Clean the Tub Before Rinsing

A lot of people will rinse soap scum out of the tub when bath time is over. Unfortunately, doing this also sends a lot of hair down the drain. Before rinsing the sides of the tub, use a paper towel or a rag to wipe away hair. Once the hair has been removed from the tub, then you can rinse the sides to remove the soap scum.

Keep the Drain Flowing With Vinegar

After bathing your dog several times, you may notice the drain is slow. You can dislodge the hair from the drain with vinegar. White vinegar is an acidic cleaning agent. Pour a few cups into the drain and allow it to sit for a few hours, then flush away the vinegar with hot water. If the vinegar alone doesn’t work, pour baking soda into the drain before pouring in the vinegar, then allow the mixture to sit in the drain.

Consider Alternatives

If you bathe your dog frequently and your dog has a long, luxurious coat, consider alternatives to using the bathtub. Some pet owners turn bath time into a game and spray their dog with the hose. Other pet owners bathe their dog in a tub that can be dumped out in the yard. You can use your best judgment as you decide how to bathe your dog at home.

Contact a Plumber to Clear Your Clogs

If the vinegar doesn’t work and the drain becomes completely clogged, contact a reputable plumber for drain clearing services. A reputable plumber can clear your drains and help you keep your plumbing flowing properly.

For more ideas about ways that you can protect your plumbing from dog fur, contact Two Men and a Snake. We’ll be happy to answer your questions.