How to Clean the Bathtub After Bathing Your Dog: Hair, Drain and Towels

Bathing a dog at home is easy enough. The mess it leaves behind is the part people dread: a ring of hair and dirt around the tub, a slow drain, wet towels and splashes on the walls. This guide covers how to keep most of the hair out of the drain in the first place, how to clean the tub or shower afterwards, and what to do with the towels.

It is written in line with the UK vet charity PDSA’s grooming advice and drain advice from the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas, both linked under further reading. For your tub’s surface, follow the care instructions from your tub or shower maker.

Why dog hair is a drain problem

Hair that goes down the drain does not just disappear. It snags on the inside of pipes, binds with soap and grease, and catches other debris until it forms a clog. Further down the line, those tangled masses also cause trouble for city sewer pumps and treatment equipment, which is why public works departments ask people to keep hair out of drains and toilets.

A single dog bath can put far more hair into a drain than a person does in weeks. So the most useful cleaning step happens before the water is even turned on.

Before the bath

Brush your dog first. A thorough brushing before the bath takes out dead hair. Leave bad mats to a groomer; PDSA advises against tackling them at home. Every clump that comes out on the brush is one that does not go down the drain. See how to clean grooming brushes and combs for the brush itself.
Cover the drain. A mesh screen or drain protector that sits over or in the drain catches most of the hair.
Use a little water, not a full tub. A few inches of lukewarm water is plenty, with a hand shower, jug or unbreakable cup to wet your dog. Less water means less splashing.
Put a non slip mat in the tub so your dog feels secure and is less likely to scramble and splash.
Lay old towels on the floor next to the tub to catch drips and the inevitable shake.

Right after the bath

Clean up while everything is still wet. Dried hair and dirt stick to the tub and are harder to shift.

Gather the loose hair. Pick up the hair left in the tub or shower and put it in the trash. A damp paper towel or a rubber glove picks it up easily.
Empty the hair catcher into the trash. Never flush hair down the toilet, where it causes the same clogs.
Rinse the tub with warm water from the top of the sides down to the drain, with the hair catcher still in place to catch the last of it.
Wash away the ring of dirt and shampoo with a soft sponge or cloth and a mild cleaner that your tub maker says is safe for the surface.
Wipe the walls and taps. Splashes and shampoo dry into spots, so wipe tiles, glass and fittings while they are wet.
Dry the tub with an old towel or squeegee to stop water spots and soap scum building up.

Know your tub’s surface

Dog nails, gritty dirt and the wrong cleaner can all mark a tub. Check your tub or shower maker’s care instructions before scrubbing, especially for acrylic and fiberglass tubs, which scratch more easily than enamel. As a general rule:

Start with a soft sponge or cloth and the mildest cleaner that works.
Do not use scouring pads or abrasive powders unless the maker says they are safe for your tub.
Rinse off any cleaner before the next bath, so your dog is not standing in it.
A non slip mat helps protect the tub surface from nails as well as keeping your dog steady.

For tiled showers, grout soaks up dirty water. See cleaning tile and grout for how to deal with it.

Keeping the drain clear

A drain that gets a little attention often rarely needs a plumber. If you bathe your dog often:

Lift out the drain stopper or strainer after each dog bath and pull out any hair caught on it.
Run plenty of hot tap water down the drain afterwards to flush soap through.
If the water drains slowly, remove the hair you can reach with a plastic drain snake before trying anything stronger.
If you use a chemical drain product, read the label first and never mix products. Many are not suitable for every pipe or tub, so check with the product maker or a plumber.

Towels, mats and the bathroom floor

Shake towels outdoors before washing, so less hair ends up in your machine.
Wash dog towels separately from your own, following the care label, and dry them fully. A lint roller or a quick tumble on a no heat setting first removes more hair.
Clean the washer afterwards if lots of hair went through it. See how to clean pet hair out of a washing machine and dryer.
Wash the non slip mat and hair catcher, then let them dry before storing.
Dry the floor and wipe up paw prints, then vacuum any hair that came off when your dog shook.

Bathing outdoors instead

In warm weather, a bath outside keeps the hair out of your plumbing altogether. If you use a paddling pool or tub in the yard, see how to clean a dog paddling pool for cleaning and drying it afterwards.

A simple routine

Before: brush your dog, cover the drain, put down a mat and floor towels.
Straight after: gather hair into the trash, rinse, wipe the ring and walls, dry the tub.
Same day: clean the drain stopper, wash towels and the mat.

Only the feet are dirty? A paw wash at the door saves a full bath. See how to clean your dog’s paws after a walk.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

Our Pet Cleanup Kit is made for pet stains and odors on carpets and fabrics, handy when a wet dog makes a run for the sofa or the rug. Do not use it on your dog or in the bath.

Frequently asked questions

How do I stop dog hair clogging the bathtub drain?

Brush your dog well before the bath and put a mesh screen or drain protector over the drain. Afterwards, gather the loose hair and put it in the trash.

Can I flush dog hair down the toilet?

No. Hair clogs toilet pipes the same way it clogs drains, and causes problems further down in the sewer system. Put it in the trash.

How much water should I use to bathe my dog in the tub?

Just a few inches of lukewarm water, with a hand shower, jug or unbreakable cup to wet your dog.

What should I clean the tub with after a dog bath?

Rinse first, then use a soft sponge and a mild cleaner that your tub maker says is safe for its surface. Avoid abrasive pads and powders unless the maker allows them.