Is It Okay to Give a Dog a Bath After Giving Them Flea & Tick Treatment?

Your dog can have a bath once his treatment has dried.
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Flea and tick treatments provide an effective means of controlling these biting pests and stopping them from making your dog’s life miserable. It’s especially important to control ticks because pets and humans alike can contract illnesses such as Lyme disease from them. Choose the product that’s best for your pet and your situation. Always check the label of the product you are using for the manufacturer’s instructions about bathing your dog, but some general recommendations apply.

Bathing

Don’t give your dog a bath for at least 24 to 48 hours after you apply a topical flea and tick treatment to him. While most such products are waterproof, they need time to be absorbed into the skin first before they get wet. Bathing your dog too soon after application will rinse off all or most of the treatment and leave your pet vulnerable to parasites. If he needs a bath, wash him first and then apply the treatment once he’s completely dry.