Can I Vacuum My Dog? (And Should You Really?)

To get straight to the meat of this question,  yes, you can vacuum your dog.   But the real question is “should you vacuum your dog?”  The answer to that question isn’t as straightforward, but it depends largely on your dog’s temperament and personality.

Here is what you need to know about whether vacuuming your dog is right for you.

Is Vacuuming Right for Your Dog?

Every dog responds differently to vacuuming.

Some dogs won’t even bat an eye when a vacuum is running near them. A majority of others, however, are deathly afraid of all things vacuuming.

Still, it should be a slow process that you ease into. Get them used to the sound of the vacuum cleaner, especially up close to them.

Make sure to  praise and reward your dog during each of step of the process  of slowly working the vacuum closer to them.

Dog Vacuuming Tips

Never vacuum your dog with the normal attachments on your vacuum.

Not only can this scare the dog, but it’s also potentially harmful and not very effective.

These special attachments make the experience more comfortable for your dog. It’s their goal to remove dog hair without causing your dog any excess stress or anxiety.

Once again, it’s important to work up to vacuuming your dog, even with the special attachment.

Take it slow by moving the attachment closer and closer. Begin by only vacuuming for a few seconds. Make sure to give your dog a lot of praise throughout this process.

Other Methods for Grooming Your Dog

However, you do have a lot of other options. A popular alternative is to  groom your dog regularly  with a brush to remove hair.  Bathe them on a regular basis  with a special veterinarian-recommended soap with a hose or in the bathtub.

Use your vacuum to suction up any hair that is shed or otherwise displaced during the brushing and bathing processes.