Shampooch: How Often Should I Give my Dog a Bath?

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How often you should bathe your dog will depend a lot on their breed, lifestyle and health.

Of course, dogs that like to spend time outdoors and have a habit of getting mucky will need regular bathing, but when those paws are away from muddy puddles, it can be difficult to know if you should regularly wash your dog.

What to consider

Generally speaking, most healthy dogs can be bathed around once a month, assuming that they don’t get excessively dirty in between baths. Some breeds can go longer than this, especially with regular grooming to loosen dirt and minimise tangles and matting.

Bathing your dog also gives you an opportunity to check them over for signs of skin problems or lumps that could indicate a health issue.

Your dog’s type of skin or coat

Your dog’s coat can play a big part in how often they will need bathing. Long haired breeds will need more regular bathing, at least once every four to six weeks to stop their coat getting tangled and matted and to stop their fur from retaining dirt.

Dogs with coarser coats can get away with being bathed less often for the most part. The main exception to this is light coloured coats, which will usually show up dirt more easily and will need more regular washing to stop them looking discoloured.

Hairless breeds who lack the skin protection a coat provides, need to be bathed weekly. Dogs who tend to have oily skin, like Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds, also benefit from more frequent baths to prevent oil buildup on their skin

Allergies or skin problems

Dogs that suffer from allergies or skin conditions may require regular bathing with medicated shampoo. In these cases, the right dog bath frequency will depend on the instructions provided by your vet.

Dogs with itchy skin may also find relief from regular baths with a shampoo designed to reduce irritation.

Dogs who don’t respond well to oral or topical parasite treatments might need regular baths to help keep fleas and ticks under control.

What dog-friendly products to use

Always use a shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs. The aim is to make sure that your dog is nice and clean afterwards, but at the same time, you don’t want to strip natural oils from their coat and skin or cause skin problems due to your choice of product.

If you must bathe your dog more frequently than once a month, be sure to use a moisturising dog shampoo or follow up with a moisturising dog conditioner that can help replenish your pet’s natural moisture.

If your dog’s skin is sensitive, you’ll need to be particularly careful what you use on them. If you’re not sure what type of doggy shampoo to use on your pet, speak to your vet about the options.

You can find a wide range of shampoos for all coat types and skin conditions on the Animed Direct website.

It’s always a good idea to have a dog insurance policy in place. That way, you’ll have peace of mind that your canine companion is covered in case of unexpected illness or injury.