The ultimate washing and drying routine for your dog

Today's pet industry has hardly any laws or regulations. Many manufacturers use cheap chemicals — such as aggressive SLS sulphates and suffocating silicones — that have long been banned in human cosmetics. The result? Structural itching, flaking and a damaged skin barrier.

At Frenky Lewis we do things differently. We voluntarily commit to the strict European Cosmetics Directive for humans. Our fragrance line is 99.5% natural and our hypoallergenic line even 100% natural. Anything that isn't safe enough for you doesn't go on your dog's coat.

With this professional routine — developed in close collaboration with top professional groomers — you bring your dog's coat into absolute top condition.

The golden rule first: start tangle-free

⚠️ Important for curly, shedding and double coats: water pulls existing tangles and loose undercoat into an impenetrable layer of felt. So always brush the coat through thoroughly before washing. Skip this step for short-haired dogs.

• Prepare & protect: never brush a dry coat; this causes hair breakage. First spray the coat with our hypoallergenic Coat Spray (or the Dry Shampoo & Conditioner Spray). This makes the hair elastic and protects its structure.
• Locate & the layer method: blow the coat open with the blaster to spot deep tangles. Brush with a flexible slicker brush layer by layer from the bottom up.
• The detangle check: use a metal stainless-steel comb to check that you glide through everywhere smoothly. For stubborn knots, apply the Detangling Cream locally. Pay extra attention to the well-known tangle spots: behind the ears, in the armpits, the groin, the ‘trousers’ and under the collar.

Step 1: The bath — mild & functional cleansing

The rule: cleanse effectively without irritating the skin. Dogs with a short-haired or double coat can enjoy a good massage; for long-haired or curly coats, massage only linearly, in straight lines, to prevent new tangles.

The ritual: wet the coat through and through with lukewarm water (work upwards from the paws). Mix 2 to 3 pumps of shampoo with water in the Shampoo Foamer (ratio 1:10). Spread the soft foam evenly, massage it in and rinse thoroughly.

The Frenky Lewis choice: choose the Hypoallergenic Shampoo for a dry coat, flaking or sensitive skin. Choose the luxurious fragrance line for a wonderful, long-lasting scent sensation.

⚠️ Please note: never use synthetic shampoo with SLS. It aggressively dries out the skin and causes itching and flaking.

Step 2: The conditioner — nourish & protect

The rule: a conditioner isn't just for long hair. It seals the hair cuticles, nourishes the skin and is indispensable for curly, long and double coats, but also helps a dry, short-haired coat recover.

The ritual: again mix 2 to 3 pumps of conditioner with water in the Shampoo Foamer (1:10). Apply the foam over the entire coat, let it soak in deeply for 2 minutes and then rinse it out completely.

The Frenky Lewis choice: use the 100% natural Hypoallergenic Conditioner for extremely sensitive skin, or the conditioner from the fragrance line for a silky-soft, glossy finish.

⚠️ Please note: avoid conditioners with synthetic silicones. These coat the skin in a suffocating layer of plastic, leading to severe irritation.

Step 3: The drying — effective blast-drying

The rule: the blaster is the secret weapon. It effectively blows water and loose hairs away from the skin. Never rub a long-haired or curly coat wildly dry with a towel; this causes felt immediately.

The ritual: first squeeze the coat towel-dry. Point the blaster perpendicular to the coat from 10–15 cm away so it blows nicely open. Work systematically from back to front. For long-haired dogs, brush along gently while blasting.

The Frenky Lewis choice: for the sensitive zones (head and ears), use the blaster on its lowest setting, or remove the nozzle from the hose for a wider, quieter airflow.

⚠️ Please note: don't make fast, circular movements with the blaster on long-haired and curly coats. The extreme air pressure makes the hair tips spin around each other, causing irreparable whip tangles.

Step 4: Finishing touch — fresh & done

The rule: a dry, fresh finish prevents skin problems. Make sure your dog always leaves the bath with a positive feeling.

The ritual: check that the belly and armpits are properly dry. Carefully dry the inside of the ears with a towel. Finish with a big cuddle and a tasty reward for your dog.

The Frenky Lewis choice: finish by spraying the dry coat with the Dry Shampoo & Conditioner Spray in your favourite scent. This seals the hair cuticles for maximum protection and leaves that wonderful, long-lasting wellness scent.

⚠️ Please note: never skip drying the armpits and skin folds. Moisture left behind in these warm spots quickly leads to hot spots, bacterial infections and tangles.

The coat care advice for at home

• Detangle check — at least 3× a week. To catch early matting in Doodles or curly coats right away.
• Thorough brushing — at most once every 1 to 2 weeks. This keeps the coat voluminous and healthy without overloading the hair.