No matter where you bathe your dog, don’t forget drying — an essential part of the bathing process to keep your pup comfortable and healthy.

Safety: We looked for tubs that included safety features to help prevent your dog from slipping, sliding, or jumping out mid-bath.Whether it’s a hose or shower head, make sure water pressure is low and the water is lukewarm,” Freeman says. When it comes to how much to fill the dog bathtub, the water should be about as high as your dog’s knees to ensure it’s not too close to their face. Dog bathtubs are washing stations that provide a safe space to clean and groom your pet. Although dogs can be bathed in a traditional bathtub or shower, having a designated tub for your dog can make bath time easier and safer. It can also keep your own tub or shower free from dog hair and muddy pawprints.

Be careful around the ears. Wendy Weinand, services training and education manager at Petco and a Certified Master Groomer (CMG) and Master Pet Stylist (MPS) says to avoid getting water into your dog’s ears or letting it build up in skinfolds. Not keeping these areas dry can lead to secondary skin issues.Water should be warm enough for your dog to be comfortable, and also to get the job done; colder water doesn’t clean as well. (If you wouldn’t love a cold bath, consider that your pet probably wouldn’t either.) Supplies you’ll need to bath your dog: No matter the type of tub you’re looking for, you want to think about the safety features included, whether it’s an integrated collar or non-slip bottom. Whether your dog regularly enjoys baths or is always skittish about the whole prospect, you’re going to want to line up some safety measures to keep bath time safe and secure. Especially if you’re bathing your dog outside — where hoses might run cold or hot — be mindful of water temperature and pressure. Lastly, you should never leave your dog alone in the bath and always utilize any safety features that come with your tub.

Jae Hyung Lee, Seong Hun Kim, Kwang Ju Lee, Dae Young Lim, Han Yong Jeon. Determining the absorption properties of split-type microfiber fabrics by measuring the change in color depth. Textile Research Journal. 2004;74(3):271-278. doi:10.1177/0040517504074003 If you have a large older dog with mobility issues, a dog bathtub with a ramp or stairs can help your dog easily navigate an indoor or outdoor bath without you having to lift. Price: Because dog tubs range from basic models to professional grooming stations, the prices tend to be all over the map. And since everyone has a different budget, we included a selection of tubs at a variety of price points. If you could ask your dog to name their favorite activity, chances are bath time wouldn’t top the list. While some pups enjoy baths, others become anxious at the first sign of a faucet being turned on.A reliable bath mat is more than just a cozy underfoot accessory for your bathroom floor. These mats absorb excess water and prevent slipping when climbing out of your tub or shower. Plus, they add style to your bathroom if you're in a pinch with a smaller hall bath. Of course, finding the right bath mat for your space and style requires more consideration than simply selecting the softest option at your local home store. "Make sure your selections are washable, and always buy the best quality your budget will allow," says textile expert Saana Baker of The Textile Eye. "After that comes the fun part: aesthetics!" No matter which dog tub you ultimately go with, following these recommendations will help set you up for bath time success. Sturdiness: Durability is key when it comes to dog bathtubs, so we chose options that would hold up for the long haul. For particularly small dogs, a sink might work best. More likely, it’s a bath tub, which can accommodate a range of breed sizes. Bathing your dog outside instead of indoors might be a solid choice for certain breeds in some seasons. Ideal water conditions for bathing a dog: