How Often Should I shower My Dog is a question that I come across a lot. Our canine companions may not require a daily shower. But they still need regular grooming and bathing routines to keep their coats healthy and clean.
How Often Shower Your Dog
So, how often should you bathe your dog? It depends on a couple of different factors.
First, consider your dog’s coat.
Breeds with shorter, oily coats—such as Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, and Dachshunds—generally require less time at the spa. “This type of coat tends to resist water and dirt due to the nature of the fur configuration and protective oil coating,” says Dr. Beverly Mason of Dedham Veterinary Associates in Dedham, Massachusetts.
A bath once every 4-6 weeks should suffice, provided the dog is not unusually dirty.
How Often Shower Your Dog With Hair Coats Long
On the other hand, breeds with hair coats that can grow
long—including Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles, and Shih Tzus—may require more freshening.
“Hair coat bathing needs vary depending on style, texture, and length,” says Mason. “Dogs with hair kept at ‘show length’ may need weekly bathing and grooming to prevent tangles and clean off dirt picked up from the ground.”
Too many baths can strip the natural oils from a dog’s fur, leading to dry skin, itchiness, and a dull coat. For these reasons, it’s essential not to over-bathe your dog.
“I tell people to bathe their dogs only when needed for being dirty unless they need bathing for a medical reason,” says Dr. Ashley Tittle of Eastown Veterinary Clinic in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “You should bathe them a maximum of once per week.”
How Often Shower Your Dog
So if your Lab smells fresh, can you forgo bathing altogether? Not quite. Showering is an integral part of your dog’s overall health and wellbeing. “When you’re cover in the dirt, your skin can’t breathe. Then you can have more issues with infection or irritation”. “Keeping your dog clean will make him less likely to have parasites and other skin issues.”
For dogs with specific allergies, dry skin, or skin diseases, consult with your veterinarian about how often you should bathe your pet. If your dog requires frequent baths for a medical condition, notes that there are special shampoos that are safe to use daily.
How To Bathe A Dog?
So how do you wash your dog? It’s not like washing a car unless your car likes to jump out of the driveway when you’re trying to clean it. First, you need to make sure that your dog will be able to stand in your bath on a plastic bath mat, or in a plastic tub if you’re doing it outside – this will help ensure that your dog feels secure and isn’t sliding around.
Next, you need to make sure that you’re using the correct dog shampoo. Avoid Baby shampoo as dogs have very delicate skin, and even weak shampoo can cause irritations. For these reasons, we would recommend only using dog shampoos to make your dog as safe and comfortable as possible.
Once your dog is completely soaked through the water at a reasonable temperature, apply the shampoo thoroughly, but be sure to be careful with the eyes and mouth and pay particular attention to their hindquarters. Rinse and repeat, and dry your dog thoroughly with an old towel afterward.
So, there you have it, while bath time can sometimes be a challenge for both you and your dog, ultimately this is in their best interests so try and make it as calming or fun for them as you can, and you should have no problems washing your dog.
