Best dog baths to leave your pooch squeaky clean

Our pick of the best dog baths that can double as a pool for your kids.

Dog baths

by Ellen Kinsey |
Updated on

Is cleaning your dog in the bathroom a bit of a nightmare? Maybe you have all the kit from dog shampoos, and grooming scissors to towels, but nothing can prepare you for a wriggly pet who doesn't like a bath. That's why every dog owner needs to know about dog baths.

If your furry friend gets really muddy after walks, and you don't want to bring them into the house dirty, a dog bath can help you clean them easily outside and will save you all the hassle of cleaning your bathroom after. With a dog bath, you'll have full 360-degree access to your dog, making cleaning much easier. These baths are also multipurpose, so you could use them as a pool, ball pit, or sandpit for your dog or your children.

It is recommended that you bathe your dog every four weeks. However, the number of times you should wash your pet is different for each dog.

Best dog baths at a glance:

Best dog bath for space: V-HANVER Dog Pool Pet Bathing Tub - Buy now on Amazon UK
Best dog bath for lots of size options: Dono Foldable Pet Bath Tub - Buy now on Amazon UK
Best portable dog bath: Cost Wise Large Dog Bath/pool/tub with drain plug - Buy now on Amazon UK

Wendy Weinand, manager of pet services and grooming education for Petco, says that it is best to wash your dog every four weeks, as “this will help to keep their skin and coat clean and keep their natural oils spread out to help any conditions."

The best dog baths to keep your dog clean:

Best dog bath for sturdiness

Udream Foldable Large Dog Poolamazon
Price: $33.98+

Sturdy, this Udream paddling pool is for everyone. It's large and multi-functional, great for a paddling pool and more. Made from thick fibreboard and PVC, the floor is non-slip to prevent any accidents. It's simple yet practical. Just simply unfold and fill with water. Draining is also very easy - and fast. Perfect for summer.

Customer review: "This is a really great size dog pool. Three small dogs have played in this together with plenty of room for them all. What I like is that it takes seconds to put up and not long to fill. No blowing up or pools that pop from their claws. It folds up flat making it very easy to store."

Pros

  • Three sizes available
  • Foldable

Cons

  • Only one colour available
Dimensions:80 x 20 cm

Best dog bath for lots of size options

This Dono Foldablepool has three sizes you can choose from, so it's great for most breeds of dogs. It's really durable and suitable for outdoor bathing, as well as indoor. The bath is made of durable PVC material and can be set up in seconds without the need for inflation or a pump. Plus, the built-in plug makes draining the water quick and easy.

Customer review: "Great product, very sturdy, easy to unfold & fold away. It has a plug to release the water. My dog hates water & getting a bath. This is great because it's so big he can't grip the sides on the way in, haha. This would be great for dogs who love water to bathe & play in."

Pros

  • Three sizes available
  • Durable
  • Multiple uses

Cons

  • Only one colour option
Dimensions:120 x 120 x 30 cm

Best dog bath for smaller dogs

It is straightforward to set up and store this pool, as it can be folded away compactly when not in use. It's made out of solid PVC material with a drainage hole to let the water out. This pool from furrybaby is aimed at smaller dogs; however, there are other sizes up to XL.

Customer review: "So easy to assemble and a lot bigger than I thought it would be. It is excellent. Very sturdy, easy to put away. Very impressed."

Pros

  • Sizes small and medium
  • Thick and firm frame
  • Simple to set up

Cons

  • No sizes available for large dogs
Dimensions:80 x 20 cm

Best dog bath for space

dog baths V-HANVER Dog Pool Pet Bathing Tubamazon
Price: $28.99

This V-HANVER pet bathing tub comes in a choice of two colours: red or blue. It's very spacious, making it great for bathing bigger dogs or a few dogs at once. It has an anti-slip base to prevent accidents and a drainage hole to let the water run out of when finished. The pool varies in three sizes for different size pets. It can be a bathtub, a container for water, sand, and a pool for your kids and pets to play indoors and outdoors.

Customer review: "My dog absolutely loves this paddling pool! It is good value for money, and it is sturdy also."

Pros

  • Available in sizes small, large and extra large
  • Slip resistant
  • Spacious
  • Comes with travel case

Cons

  • Bottom of the pool is thin

Best portable dog bath

This Cost Wise portable plastic dog bath will ensure your dog can be kept cool even on the move. Big enough to accommodate a lovely golden retriever and is made from durable tough plastic that will withstand heavy and wriggly dogs.

Customer review: "Dog bath is of a good size for washing my cocker spaniel dog when she comes back from a muddy walk. It is strong and the valve for emptying the bath is very handy. Ideal bath to use when there is a water hosepipe ban in place."

Pros

  • Drain hole easily drains water
  • Strong and durable
  • Ideal for garden use

Cons

  • None
Dimensions: 73x41x28cm

Best elevated dog bath

If you fancy yourself as a bit of a professional dog washer, this Elevated Dog Bath Tub or washing station is made of water-tight PVC which is rugged, easy to clean and is stain resistant. If your pooch is constantly getting muddy on walks, this bathtub is a fab addition to your home.

Customer review: "I used it to bathe two puppies and it worked very well. The pockets on both sides can be used to store their bath products, which is very convenient. The drain will drain, so you don't need to pour water yourself. Dogs love to bathe here."

Pros

  • Can be used anywhere
  • Storage included
  • Comes in a variety of different colours
  • Drain hose stretches

Cons

  • None
Dimensions:‎60 x 56 x 18 cm

Tips to dry off your pooch

It might seem like common sense as a dog owner, but the quicker and easier you can dry your dog, the better!

Once your dog has taken a dip in the sea or has been caught in the rain, you'll want to dry them off with a dog towel to keep them from getting cold and staying damp.

Without drying your canine companion, they could be at risk of catching pneumonia from being exposed to the cold, especially if they're particularly young or old with a weaker immune system.

Ellen Kinsey is a senior health and wellness product writer for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in sustainable living and healthy cooking. She lives and breathes all things food, travel and wellness.

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