How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog

If there is one thing that we can all agree on it’s that dogs love to get dirty. Dogs are prone to rolling around in the dirt, mud, and even more disgusting and repulsive materials. The only solution to this problem is bathing and a rigorous one at that. A bath not only cleans your dog but also protects it from harmful germs and contaminants as well. A dog might not like a bath but it certainly needs one from time to time. But, the question remains, how often does your dog require a bath? Is it necessary to bathe your four-legged friend? So, if these are the questions that are bouncing around in your mind then allow us to enlighten you.

Bathing and Dogs

Dogs are like people in this regard, in such that they too can get filthy and stinky. Now, there are some breeds of dogs that can be cleaned with a simple wipe across their fur for the removal of dirt and grime. You can utilize baby wipes for this purpose but make sure to regularly clean the paws, coat, and muzzle of your dog to ensure maximum effectiveness in cleaning. The good thing about using baby wipes is that they don’t cause irritation and are gentle on the skin.

Now, onto the main crux of our discussion, so read on and inform yourself at a better rate in this regard:

Healthy Adult Dog

If you are the owner of a healthy adult dog then there are some things that you need to remember when it comes to the aspect of bathing it. We recommend that owners subject their healthy adult dogs to a bath at least once a month. Use a tub or shower for this purpose along with warm water and a recommended shampoo for dogs. However, if your dog has any skin allergies or such conditions then you might need to bathe it more often. Also, use a special medicated shampoo for doing so. Also, the shampoo that you use must be free of soap or any other moisturizing formula. This will prevent their skin from drying out. We also recommend that you consult your vet if you are going to be bathing your dog more than once a week. Make sure that you check the dog’s skin for any bruises, bumps, or lumps as they might indicate a problem with its health. Also, let the vet know immediately so that circumventive steps can be taken.

Newborn Puppy

There are some things that you need to consider if you have recently got a new puppy. Some people inquire about the time of baths that they should subject their puppies to in a week. The answer is quite simple really as it amounts to a resounding “None”. Your puppy needs to be kept dry as they are at that stage in their life where their bodies can’t effectively regulate body temperature. So, what should you do under such circumstances? Well, we recommend that you run a damp, warm cloth over their body. Not only will it clean the puppy but will also be safe for them. Another thing that you need to remember is that newborn puppies are dependent upon their moms for everything. This includes feeding, cleaning, warmth, etc. So, if the mom is up and about, then you can leave the cleaning part to her without any problem. However, if the little guy does need a bath, then you should give it one after consulting the vet. Also, the puppy must be above 8 weeks in age because otherwise, the aforementioned method with the damp cloth will suffice.

Things to Remember

There are other things to consider as well when it comes to bathing your dog. These can be listed as follows for your convenience and facilitation:

• The first thing that you need to remember is the type of coat that your dog possesses. Those dogs with longer coats require more grooming and baths as compared to the ones with smaller/shorter coats. Also, some breeds have thicker coats like huskies, retrievers, etc. These breeds can lose essential oils from their skin if subjected to too many baths. This is also true for many other breeds of dogs as well. So, we recommend that you consult your veterinarian or groomer for an alternative moisturizer or oil for applying onto your dog’s skin as well.
• The level of activity that your dog indulges in will also determine how often it will need to be bathed. If your dog is the energetic type and likes to frolic around in the rain or mud, then bad news, you will have to bathe it more often than usual. Dogs that like to dig holes also get dirtier faster and need more baths as well.
• Dogs with skin conditions or allergies need to be bathed more often, usually with medicated shampoos or solutions.

Drying your Dog

Now, some of you might consider this to be an insignificant task, but it is more important than you might think. After you have rinsed your dog well, use a dry and soft towel and apply it gently to your dog’s fur. You can also opt to use a hairdryer for this purpose with the warm/cool setting enabled. But be warned as some dogs might freak out if you use a hairdryer. If you have to use a hairdryer then keep the nozzle at a distance of about 18 inches from the skin and fur of your dog. It is important as by doing so, your dog will remain protected from burns or overheating fur hair. This drying period is something that your dog loves, so enjoy your dog’s antics in this phase as well. Just remember to be sure that your dog has been dried completely before letting it go outside.

So, there you have it, the complete scoop on how often and how to bathe your dog. We hope that you will be able to make more informed and effective decisions about bathing your dog from now on.