FEB 24, 2020
As with most questions in life, the answer to how
often you need to bathe your dog isn't black-and-white — or brindle, for that
matter. Although dogs do groom themselves, which helps hair follicles grow and
supports general skin health, they still need baths to get rid of the grime.
That said, most people actually bathe their dogs more
than necessary. So how often should you bathe your furry friend?
A dog's breed, coat, lifestyle and health all factor
into determining optimal bathing frequency. Obviously, if your dog smells or is
visibly dirty, it's bath time. Some dogs love bath time, and as long as your
dog is healthy and has no special grooming requirements, it is fine to bathe
him or her as often as once a week.
Surprisingly, according to Dr. Jennifer Coates,
veterinary adviser to PetMD, healthy dogs without skin conditions will be fine
with only a bath or two a year, to control "natural doggy odors." And
the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
recommends bathing a dog about once every three months, but there are many
reasons to adjust bathing schedules.
Breed Matters
There are a lot of dog breeds with different types of
coats, so it's a good idea to ask your vet for grooming guidance, including how
often to bathe your dog and what products to use. A dog's skin has a different
pH level than human skin, and it's more sensitive, so avoid using
"people" products on dogs. Although the rule of "more hair, more
baths" is generally accurate, there are exceptions, such as hairless
breeds like the Chinese crested dog, that are high maintenance and need weekly
baths.
Then there are breeds where brushing and combing is
often more important than bathing. A breed with double-coated, thick shedding
hair — like a Shetland sheepdog — is grooming intensive and needs combing and
brushing before, during and after a soaking and moisturizing bath.
Samoyeds, huskies and other arctic breeds need to be
brushed at least once a day during shedding season to avoid knots and
dreadlocks that can cause serious skin conditions if left in their coats. If
these breeds are brushed enough, baths should be kept to a minimum or avoided
altogether, so the natural protective oils aren't stripped from their coats.
Short-coat breeds, like pugs, dalmatians and
greyhounds, typically need fewer baths, and often a good rubdown with a damp
washcloth is enough to remove dirt.
Over-bathing dogs with slightly longer coats — like
Labrador and golden retrievers — can disrupt the seasonal insulation process. A
bath every four to six weeks or less is fine. But frequent — if not daily —
brushing is important. Using an antidandruff shampoo when you do bathe them can
also help keep their skin from drying out.
The Dog's Lifestyle and Health
You also need to consider Fido's health and lifestyle
when determining how often he needs a bath. Dogs who frequent dog parks and
lakes, or those who spend a lot of time outside rolling around in the dirt,
obviously need more baths than indoor dogs who primarily go for daily
leash-walks in the neighborhood.
If your dog snuggles in the bed or has furniture
privileges, you may want to bathe him more, but wiping his paws clean might
also be enough.
Some dogs have skin diseases or allergies and may need
more or less bathing than other dogs. If your dog has a skin condition, bathing
him too often could exacerbate it and cause discomfort, so talk to your
veterinarian and heed their instructions regarding how often to bathe him.
No matter how often a dog is groomed, it's best to
start a regular bathing routine when he's a puppy. Even if the routine is four
times a year or less, a dog who begins baths as a puppy is usually more
cooperative than one who does not — and incorporate routine nail trimmings and
ear cleanings in the puppy routine, as well.
Plus, it'll be harder to try your patience if you
start bathing your dog while he's a puppy and just learning how the world
works, mostly because he'll still be so incredibly cute.