Why do dogs go crazy after a bath?

DOGS AND BATH TIME

Approximate reading time: 8 minutes

Bath time is an essential routine for maintaining your furry friend's hygiene and health. But, let's face it: what dog likes to be confined to the bathtub, lathered up and, to top it all off, dried with that annoying noisy contraption? Bath time is generally not very popular with dogs, although depending on their upbringing and temperament, some cope better than others. If your pet hates being bathed, you're likely to get a good dose of whining, sheepish looks and attempts to run away before and during bath time.

But watch out, because it is when the ordeal is over, after the ordeal in the bath, that many dogs break out in a full-blown fit of madness. This unexpected outburst, which leaves more than one person open-mouthed, includes shaking, rubbing all over the place, running to nowhere and multiple rolls on the floor. But what is behind this comical behaviour, and why do dogs go crazy after bath time? We give you all the clues to this outburst of happiness and energy when your dog gets out of the bath.

Table of contents

1. Does your dog experience zoomies or FRAPS after a bath?

• Because they are glad the bath is over

• To release accumulated tension

• Because they want to dry off

• To regain their normal smell

2. Tips to reduce your dog's bath anxiety

Does your dog experience zoomies or FRAPS after bathing?

A FRAP or zoomie is an episode of random, frantic activity that is very common in dogs and cats. If you have a furry one at home, we're sure you know what we're talking about. It's a sudden burst of energy that makes you think your dog has definitely gone berserk. It's even more curious when these periods of frenzied activity occur just after bath time: have you ever had a dog just finish giving a thorough bath, and as soon as they get out of the tub, they start rubbing themself with everything they can get their paws on and rolling around on the floor? Don't worry, you're not the only one who freaks out. But why does your dog really go crazy after a bath?

• Because they are glad the bath is over

Bath time can be a real ordeal for your dog. For a few minutes, they know they will be deprived of their freedom, having to put up with you rubbing their coat with products that don't always smell pleasant to them. And then there's the hairdryer, that little household appliance that terrifies dogs all over the world. What a nuisance! All in all, it's only natural that bath time is a negative time for your furry one, so don't be surprised if they go crazy with joy when it's finally over. Yes, your dog's zoomies when they get out of the bath are nothing more than a way of telling you: I'm so glad it's over! As part of this happiness, your pet will take the opportunity to enjoy their new-found freedom again, running around the house without stopping. It's good to see them so happy!

• To release accumulated tension

As we have already mentioned, bathing is not usually a very pleasant time for dogs. Although many of them do like water, the actual situation of being ‘forcibly’ confined to the bathtub can make them very uncomfortable. However, if your dog is well-behaved and trusts you, they will simply resign themself to it, stoically waiting for the water jets and soaping to end. This contradiction between wanting to escape but being a good dog and staying still can be very stressful. So it is normal that after the bath your dog will give free rein to all the tension they have been accumulating, running around the house, rubbing themself here and there and running around endlessly. Now you know: the crazier your dog gets after the bath, the more nerves and tension they have had to endure while you were cleaning them up.

• Because they want to dry off

If your dog's post-bathroom craziness includes a lot of shaking, there's no doubt: they are probably feeling damp in their coat and trying to get rid of it so that they feel completely dry. Feeling their coat wet can be very uncomfortable for your pet, so they won't hesitate to shake their whole body to dry themself off and get back to normal. If you want to avoid this, try to dry them thoroughly with a towel or hair dryer. If your dog feels dry, they won't need to shake themself frantically. Give it a try!

• To restore their normal smell

You may love the fruity smell of your dog's shampoo, but trust us, they prefer to smell of earth, grass and even less pleasant things, so to speak. Dogs need to smell like dogs to feel at ease, so it's only logical that after a bath they try to roll, rub and shake themselves to get rid of that strange scent and get back to their usual smell. By rubbing themselves on the floor and other objects in the house that already have their scent, your furry one will be able to smell as usual. To help your dog have a more pleasant experience when it comes to scent, use neutral-smelling grooming products.

Tips to reduce your dog's bathroom anxiety

We're not going to kid you: getting your dog to really enjoy bath time is tricky. However, there are a few tricks you can use to help reduce anxiety and discomfort, and probably those transient post-bathroom bouts of madness. Here's how you can prevent your dog from going crazy after a bath:

• Playing or going for a long walk with your dog before bath time will make them arrive more tired and will probably feel more relaxed inside the tub and once they get out.
• We recommend making the bathing experience as pleasant as possible for your pet by controlling the water temperature (not too hot or too cold) and using pH-neutral products specifically for dogs.
• During the bath, try to be calm, as your mood is reflected in your dog. Handle them gently and talk to them calmly and affectionately.
• Reward calm moments with small treats, petting and words of encouragement. Positive reinforcement is foolproof!
• Completely dry their whole body, including their ears, where water often gets trapped. This will prevent shaking and help avoid infections.

If your dog goes crazy after every bath, you're not alone. Now you know their reasons for going off like this. Try applying our tips and, if nothing works, simply wait for this burst of energy to subside naturally. Avoid encouraging your dog so they don't get overexcited, and enjoy the show (making sure they don't hurt themselves or cause any damage). You'll see how soon they return to normal. In fact, they're likely to take a nice nap after so much activity. Don't forget to bathe your furry friend regularly to maintain hygiene and health, and try to make bath time as pleasant as possible for them. Good luck!