How often should I bathe and wash my dog?
Though giving your dog a bath regularly is important, you wouldn't want to do it too often as this may cause dryness, skin irritation, and other conditions. So, how often should you bathe your dog? There is no definitive answer to this question; the right frequency for your pup will depend on a variety of favors like your pooch's coat type, lifestyle, and overall health.
Dogs that have longer coats tend to attract more dirt and debris to their fur, which may result in the need for more baths. Depending on how dirty your long-haired dog gets, bathing them once a month should suffice, whereas dogs with shorter fur may only require a bath once every three months.
If your dog is active and enjoys playing in water, mud, and dirt, they smell, or if their fur is especially oily, you can also give your dog a bath. Just remember not to overdo it.
Some dogs have allergies or a specific health condition. If this is the case for your dog, your vet may advise you to bathe your pooch more or less often depending on your pup's specific needs.
If you're not sure how often you should give your pup a bath, once every two to three months is a good rule of thumb to follow. However, you should always ask your veterinarian about your dog's specific bathing needs.
Why should I bathe my dog?
Sometimes, your dog may need help getting clean, especially if they like to swim in lakes, roll in the mud, piles of leaves, or smelly garbage, or their fur tends to be naturally oily.
There are a handful of reasons you should bathe your dog regularly, from helping them smell better and reducing the amount of fur they shed to strengthening your bond with your pup. Here are some reasons it's important to give your dog routine baths:
- Removes dirt and debris from their skin and coat
- Reduces shedding
- Helps prevent skin conditions
- Helps them smell better
Bathing your dog also gives you the opportunity to monitor your dog's health and look for any signs of arising conditions such as redness, swelling, or unusual bumps on their ears, paws, nails, or skin. You even have a chance to check for external parasites such as fleas, mites, and ticks. If you see any of these unusual signs or external parasites call your vet and schedule an appointment.
How to Bathe Your Dog
Knowing how to bathe your dog and being prepared for the task can make the process easier for both you and your canine companion. Here we have provided you with a step-by-step guide on how to bathe your dog at home.
- Pick where you want to bathe your dog, it can be a sink, tub, patio, or kiddie pool. Make sure to bathe them in the same place every time so they know what to expect.
- Gather the supplies you need such as a slip-resistant mat (if you are using a tub), a brush, scrubber, and a shampoo that is specially formulated for dogs. Never use human shampoo or conditioner on your pup because it can irritate their skin. Your vet will be able to inform you which shampoo will be best for your pooch.
- Start by brushing your dog's fur from head to tail to loosen dirt, and remove knots and mats.
- Use lukewarm water when washing your dog (never use hot water) and keep the water out of your dog's face.
- Talk to your dog in a calm and soothing voice, pet them often, and offer praise and treats when they are behaving. If your dog starts to resist and struggle, wait for them to calm down again before continuing.
- Lather and massage the shampoo all over your dog's body, be sure not to get any in their eyes, ears, or face. You can start at their paws and work your way up to the head, to provide fewer opportunities for the shampoo to run into their face.
- Rinse your dog from head to tail. Continue rinsing in this pattern until you have gotten all of the soap out of your dog's skin because any soap left behind can cause irritation.
- Dry your dog well with a warm, clean towel to help your dog air-dry faster.
- Let your dog's fur air-dry. Don't use hot blow dryers that are designed for human hair because they can be too hot for your dog's skin. If you'd like, you can use a blow dryer designed for dogs' that operate at a lower temperature.
- Reward your dog. They have made it through the bathing process, give your dog a treat, lots of praise, and maybe even some playtime!
When should I bring my dog to a grooming professional?
If your dog doesn't like baths and tries to fight you every time you try to get them into the tub, it might be best to take your pup to a professional who's trained to groom pets. Voorhees Veterinary Center offers professional grooming services, and our team have the tools and training they need to bathe dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments safely.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.