Can You Bathe a Dog After Applying a Flea Pipette?

Spot-on pipettes are necessary to keep our dog protected against the main parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and even certain types of mosquitoes that transmit diseases like leishmaniasis.

But if we bathe our dog after applying the pipette, won't it lose some of its effectiveness? Will the water and soap remove the pipette's active ingredient? Let's take a detailed look at everything you need to know to keep your dog well protected.

How Do Pipettes Work?

To know whether or not it's advisable to bathe our dog after applying an anti-parasite pipette, we first need to know how they work. Pipettes contain a liquid chemical active ingredient inside, such as permethrin or fipronil, among others.

When we apply the pipette along our dog's back (on its neck and spine), the active ingredient binds to the dog's skin fat. This way the active ingredient stays on the dog and, in a way, spreads.

How long the protection pipettes offer lasts is directly related to how long the active ingredient stays on our dog's body.

Is It Bad to Bathe the Dog After Applying the Pipette?

When we bathe our dog, besides removing any dirt in its coat and skin, we also remove the skin fat it has all over its body. So if we've applied a pipette, its active ingredient will disappear or be reduced, making protection against fleas and ticks practically nonexistent.

Some manufacturers (check the pipette's packaging) allow bathing the dog two or three days after applying the pipette. But, in a way, the pipette's effectiveness will still be reduced.

So to begin with, it's best not to bathe our dog after applying the pipette, so it stays protected against the main parasites. We should only bathe it if it's absolutely necessary.

Can I Bathe It Before Applying the Pipette?

Yes, we can bathe our dog before applying the protective pipette. But, with the bath we'll remove a large part of its skin fat, so we should wait between two and three days after the bath, before applying the pipette.

This way the skin fat will have regenerated, and if we apply a pipette, its active ingredient will be able to bind to it, making the protection last longer. So if we want to bathe the dog, it's best to do so two or three days before applying the pipette.

Are Pipettes Water-Resistant?

Some manufacturers state their pipettes are water-resistant, but the truth is they're referring to the dog getting a little wet by accident. If we bathe a dog, it will logically lose part of the active ingredient and, therefore, part of its protection against fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes.

Tips for Applying the Pipette

Before applying the pipette to our dog, we need to make sure it's clean — if it isn't, it's best to bathe it, wait a few days, and then apply the pipette. We should never apply a pipette if our dog has any type of dermatitis or an open wound.

• How Often Can You Bathe a Dog?

It's advisable to brush our dog thoroughly to remove any dirt and/or dead hair, before applying the pipette. Remember to apply the pipette according to the manufacturer's instructions, along the dog's back.

Always use pipettes suited to the dog's weight, since that way we'll be applying the exact amount of active ingredient our dog needs. Applying less means losing protection, and applying more can pose a health problem for the dog — let's not forget that pipettes are actually poison.

Wash your hands well after applying the pipette and don't pet your dog on the treated area for several days. The active ingredient in pipettes is very toxic to humans (and to animals too) — don't let another dog, even while playing, bite or lick the area where you've applied the pipette.

Remember that fleas can also be in your home — on the sofa, the dog's bed, the floor... so besides protecting our dog, it's advisable to get rid of fleas in the home.

Is There a Better Alternative Than the Pipette?

Yes, in our opinion, using anti-parasite pills is much cleaner and more effective. We just need to give our dog one pill a month and it will be protected against fleas and ticks.

This way, our dog won't have poison on its skin, making it much safer both for it and for us. Also, we'll be able to pet it and bathe it without worry, whenever we want or the dog needs it. Anti-parasite pills are just as effective as pipettes (or more).