Doctors lists risks of bathing with pets as Amanda Holden has bath with dog

Yahoo

11-03-2025

There's a special bond between a dog and its owner, but some might argue that bathing together is a step too far.
Amanda Holden left listeners shocked on Heart Radio this week when she revealed she that she had a bath and put her pooch, Minnie, in too. The 54-year-old explained: "I looked at Minnie the moocher, who's my dog, and I just thought, I'm gonna put her in with me.
"I need to wash her anyway because she's covered in sand, so I took her collar off and we had a little bath together!" She continued: "I used all her doggie shampoo, so there were no products in the bath so please don't write in. Minnie was loving it, she was living her best life."
Holden then got out of the bath, but decided to reuse the water to bathe her other dog Rudie too. She added: "I put Rudie in the bath water. I just thought it saves a bit of bath water and then I gave him a good old scrub as well so everyone was clean and fluffy and lovely!"
The anecdote left her colleagues divided. Her producer put their "head in their hands" while her co-star Jamie Theakston questioned: "Is it ever okay or is it a problem to bathe with your pets?"
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Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics skin clinic explains that it's very important to avoid bathing with your dogs at all cost, as dogs can carry a host of different bacteria in their fur.
"Pets can carry bacteria and parasites in their fur and skin, such as E. coli, Salmonella, fleas, and ticks, which can be transmitted to humans during a shared bath," Dr Perry explains. "Pet-specific shampoos are formulated for the different pH levels and skin types of animals, and using them on humans can cause irritation, dryness, or allergic reactions. Human bath products contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, and artificial colours that can cause allergic reactions or skin sensitivities in dogs."
Even if your dog appears clean and you keep up with regular flea and worming treatment, it's best to keep the grooming process separate to avoid any chance of catching an infection.
"Bathing separately also ensures that pets are bathed using appropriate products for their needs, without the risk of cross-contamination from harmful chemicals or bacteria that could affect both humans and pets," Dr Perry adds.
Dr Deborah Lee at Dr Fox pharmacy agrees that baths with your dog could cause a host of different infections, which could have "serious consequences for both the dog and the owner."
"Dogs are dirty creatures! Their tail-ends are teaming with microorganisms," Lee states, "These organisms will be swirling in the bath water and may be splashed into your eyes, nose and mouth and even swallowed. Infection can potentially enter the human body from any orifice."
Alongside the risk to personal hygiene and health, Lee warns that it could also lead to injury for the owner or the pet if they are both in the bath together.
"In my view, you should never bathe with your dog," Dr Lee adds, "Apart from the risk of infection, in the slippery bath, and the presence of dog and human and soap and shampoo, this is a high risk of things getting out of control and either the dog or the owner having an accident or the dog getting frightened. You can shower your dog in the garden with dog shampoo very happily and save your clean, hot bathtub just for you!"
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