How often should you bathe your dog?

Dogs are not very enthusiastic about bathing, but periodically brushing them is still an important thing that you should not ignore.

Like most life questions, the answer to how long to bathe your dog is not that simple. Although dogs can groom themselves, help hair follicles grow and enhance the overall health of the skin, they still need a bath to remove stains on the body.

However, most people bathe their dog more than necessary. So how long should you bathe your hairy friend?

Healthy dogs only need to bath 1-2 times / year is enough.

Dog breed, hair style, lifestyle, and health - all are factors that determine the optimal frequency of bathing. Obviously, if your dog smells or looks dirty, it's time to bathe it. Some dogs love to bathe, and as long as it is healthy and there is no special requirement for grooming, bathing it once a week is a good idea.

Surprisingly, according to Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinary consultant for PetMD, healthy dogs, without any skin problems, will only need to shower 1-2 times a year . And the American Animal Violence Prevention Community (ASPCA) recommends bathing your dog about once every three weeks, but there are many reasons you can use it to adjust your bathing schedule accordingly. .

Dog breeds

There are many breeds of dogs with different hair types, so it's best to ask your veterinarian for advice on grooming, including how often to wash dogs and what types of products to use. .Dog skin has a different pH than human skin, and it is more sensitive, so avoid using dog products . Although the rule of "the more fur, the more the bath" is generally correct, there are exceptions - for example, hairless dog breeds like the Chinese crested dog breed require thorough care and regular bathing. every week.

There are also breeds that need more frequent grooming than bathing. A breed with two thick coats - like the Shetland shepherd - needs regular grooming before, during, and after bathing.

Samoy, husky, and arctic varieties need to be brushed at least once a day during the molting season to prevent the hair from sticking and sticking together, causing serious skin conditions. If these breeds are adequately groomed, then the frequency of bathing may be reduced to a minimum, or no need to be bathed so that the natural protective oils are not removed from their coats.

Short-haired dogs, such as pug, dalmatians and hounds, usually need less showering, and in most cases, simply wiping them with a wet cloth will suffice.

If dogs with slightly longer hairs - such as Labrador and Golden Retriever - take a bath too much, their ability to retain their seasonal body heat will be reduced. Bathing every 4 to 6 weeks, or less, is most reasonable. But regular brushing - at least once a day - is important. Use anti-dandruff shampoos when you bathe them to keep their skin from drying out.

Dog lifestyle and health

If your dog has skin problems, bathing too frequently can worsen the situation.

You also need to consider your dog's lifestyle and health when deciding how long to bathe him. Dogs often play outside parks or lakes, or dogs that spend a lot of time "poking" in sandy soil outdoors, obviously need to bathe more than dogs that play mostly indoors or just around. home.

If your dog likes to stay in bed or be allowed to climb on furniture, you will want to bathe him more often, but sometimes just a foot wipe is enough.

Some dogs have skin problems, or skin allergies, and will need to bath more or less than other dogs. If your dog has a skin problem, taking bath too often can aggravate it and make him uncomfortable, so consult your veterinarian and follow their instructions on how often to bathe. dog.

It doesn't matter how often your dog is brushed, it's best to give them a periodic bath routine as a child . Even if the "regular" stay is 4 times a year or less, a dog trained to bathe as a child will cooperate with the owner more - and you should periodically trim your toenails and clean their ears as well. childhood.