Pets: Don't get into a lather when bathing time comes around

WE ALL want to keep our pets clean, tidy and smelling fresh. But when it comes to bathing pets, it can be quite a stressful experience both for us and our four-legged friends. So how often, if at all, should you bathe your pet? What's the best technique? And is it possible for you to stay dry?

According to PDSA senior vet Sean Wensley, if you have a small or medium-sized dog, you can use your bath at home to bathe your dog. Alternatively, if your dog struggles or is too big to be washed indoors, you could use an old bath outside. It is not advisable to use a garden hose because of their high water pressure.

Before starting, you should brush your dog's fur to remove any mud or debris. Dogs with long coats may need trimming before bathing.

Never use human shampoo on your dog as it contains many chemicals that are too harsh for their fur. Buy a pet shampoo from a pet shop or supermarket. If your pet has sensitive skin or a medical condition, your vet may recommend using a special shampoo. Run the water for your dog's bath to room temperature, making sure it isn't too deep.

You should then wet your dog's coat and massage the shampoo in for a few minutes.

Use a sponge or flannel on delicate areas, such as the face and feet, and wash your dog's head last. You should avoid sensitive areas such as eyes and ears. All shampoo should be rinsed thoroughly and any excess water carefully squeezed from the coat before you gently dry your pet with towels.

A dog's coat contains oils. Bathing a dog too often can cause these oils to be lost, so dogs should just be bathed occasionally, once a month as a general guideline, or when they become particularly dirty.

Most cats, meanwhile, hate water, so it's a good job they groom themselves so well! You should only bathe your cat if your vet recommends it, which will usually involve using a prescribed shampoo for medical reasons.

The best place to bathe cats is in a human bath. This will prevent them jumping out or falling and injuring themselves. Once in the tub, follow the same method as bathing a dog. You must make sure that your cat is thoroughly dry. It is not a good idea to bathe cats in the winter as their body temperature may become too low.

For more information and advice about pet health, log on to www.pdsa.org.uk.

• The Rabbit Clinic of the Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is holding a "rabbit fortnight" from Monday to 30 April at the Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre in Roslin.

The fortnight is being held to coincide with National Rabbit Awareness Week, which begins on 26 April and this year has the theme of obesity.

Free rabbit health checks will be available throughout the week, conducted by one of the school's exotic animal veterinarians.

The week will include a free evening meeting on Wednesday at the Hospital for Small Animals. Lectures will be given by Brigitte Lord, the Dick vet school's lecturer in rabbit medicine and surgery, and Elisabetta Mancinelli, European College Resident in Small Mammal Medicine.

Topics covered will be an update on E cuniculi – an infection that is common in rabbits and causes a number of clinical problems, such as central nervous system disorders or kidney disease – and, of course, obesity.

Free advice and care sheets will be available during the week and the evening meeting.

To book a free appointment for a health check or a place for the evening meeting, call 0131-650 7650. Further information can be found at www.rabbitclinic.com.