Not only may people benefit from a relaxing soak in an epsom salt bath, but our four-legged pals can also receive fantastic care from this treatment. Let’s explore the benefits of epsom salt for dogs and how to bathe your best friend in this relaxing mineral.
Is It Safe To Give Dogs An Epsom Salt Bath?
Bathing in epsom salt is a safe activity for dogs as long as their owner is there to oversee the experience. Dogs should not be allowed to drink the bath water, and they should be discouraged from licking their fur after the bath. Additionally, the salt should be rinsed away after the bath is complete.
When using epsom salt soaks for a dog bath, make sure that any essential oils used in them are pet-friendly. Not all human-safe essential oils are safe for dogs. These are some of the oils you should watch out for:
- Ylang Ylang
- Tea Tree
- Pine
- Sweet Birch
- Cinnamon
How To Give Your Dog A Bath With Epsom Salt
Giving your dog a bath with epsom salt is a simple and straightforward experience. First, fill your bathtub with warm water. The temperature shouldn’t be too hot or too cold.
Once the bath has been drawn, pour about 1 to 2 tablespoons of epsom salt soak per gallon of water used. This doesn’t have to be an exact measurement and we recommend starting small with 1 tablespoon per gallon if it's your dog’s first time bathing in epsom salt.
If you'd like, you can use up to two tablespoons per gallon, depending on how they handle the bath.
Once you’ve added the epsom salt soak to the water, allow it to dissolve. The better the salt dissolves, the more evenly distributed the salt will be in the water, and the more effective the aromatherapy will be. After the salt has fully dissolved, it’s time to introduce your dog to the water.
If your dog tends to lap up water or struggle in the bath, a little peanut butter can do wonders. Simply spread a smear of peanut butter far away from the bath water on the wall of the tub or shower, giving your dog something interesting and safe to lick instead. This can help your dog focus and keep still as the water works to comfort and relax them.
An epsom salt dog bath should take around 15 minutes, after which it’s time to rinse. Because dogs continuously groom and lick their fur, it’s important to rinse the salt away to minimize how much may be ingested after the bath.
Drain the water from the bathtub while your dog is still in it, and then rinse them with lukewarm water thoroughly, making sure to get any fur that may have been exposed to the salt.
Once you’re done rinsing, it’s time to dry them off and allow them to enjoy the feelings of calm and relaxation.
Epsom Salt Blends Great For Dog Baths
Not all epsom salt blends may be suitable for dogs, but many are. We at Better Bath Better Body have a few that work particularly well in dog baths:
-
Deep Relaxation Bath Soak – A simple and basic product, our Deep Relaxation Bath Soak is truly relaxing for both people and pets. This is an excellent choice if you’re giving your dog a bath with epsom salt for the first time as it is made with all-natural ingredients and infused with only one essential oil: lavender.
Lavender is a safe and effective oil to calm and soothe dogs. Because this soak only has one aroma, it won’t overwhelm your dog’s sensitive nose.
-
Lilliuma Relaxify Bath Salt – The base of our Lilliuma Relaxify Bath Salt is Mediterranean sea salt instead of epsom salt. It has jojoba seed oil and pure essential oils of lavender, chamomile, and geranium.
It's still a straightforward soak that won't overpower your dog's senses while providing a calming and soothing effect—just a bit more complicated than our Deep Relaxation variant.
- Detox Bath Soak – Warm, clean, and refreshing, our Detox Bath Soak is is the perfect calming soak. It is infused with lemon essential oil, which leaves behind a fresh clean scent.
When Should I Give My Dog A Bath With Epsom Salt?
You can give your dog a bath with epsom salt to help calm and soothe them after getting stressed from thunderstorms, fireworks, or busy periods in the house.
Every dog owner is also aware of the "doggy smell," which may be eliminated with a fresh wash in an epsom salt soak, leaving your pet calmer and with a fresher scent.
Both you and your dog could benefit from taking an epsom salt bath to reduce stress. Order epsom salt soaks for you and your four-legged pal here.
