How often should I bathe my dog?

When you bathe your dog, you are removing dirt and debris from their fur helping them look and smell their best. Today, our La Pine vets share how often you should bathe your dog and explain the bathing process to help make the experience as smooth as possible for you and your pup.

How Often Should I Wash & Bathe My Dog?

While it's important to give your dog a bath regularly, you don't want to do it too often as it can cause skin irritations, dryness, and other conditions. So, how often should you bathe your dog? There is no one answer to this question, it depends on a variety of factors such as your dog's lifestyle, coat type, and health condition. 

Dogs that have longer coats tend to get more dirt and debris stuck in their fur requiring more baths (approximately once a month depending on how dirty they get), whereas dogs with shorter fur may only need a bath once every 3 months.

If your dog is active and enjoys playing in the mud and dirt they will need more baths than pups that spend most of their time indoors.

You can also bathe your dog if they are covered in mud and dirt, stink, or have oily fur. Just be careful not to overdo it!

If your dog has an allergy or a specific health condition, your vet may tell you your pooch needs to be bathed more or less often.

If you are uncertain how often you should give your pup a bath, once every 2 or 3 months is a good guide to follow. However, it's always best to ask your veterinarian who will be able to inform you of your dog's specific bathing needs.

Why Should I Bathe My Dog?

While dogs are generally very good at giving themselves a bath, there are still times when they need extra help, especially if they like to roll in the mud, swim in lakes, or their fur tends to get naturally oily. 

There are several reasons why you should bathe your dog on a regular basis, ranging from making them smell better and reducing shedding to strengthening your bond with your pup. Here are some of the reasons why your dog should have regular baths:

• It removes dirt and debris from their fur
• Helps prevent skin conditions
• Reduces shedding
• 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.

1. 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.
2. Gather your supplies, which should include a slip-resistant mat (if you're using a tub), a brush, a scrubber, and a shampoo designed specifically for dogs. Human shampoo and conditioner should never be used on your dog because they can irritate its skin. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best shampoo for your dog.
3. Start by brushing your dog's fur from head to tail to loosen dirt, and remove knots and mats.
4. Use lukewarm water when washing your dog (never use hot water) and keep the water out of your dog's face.
5. 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.
6. Make a lather with the shampoo and massage it all over your dog's body, taking care 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 reduce the chances of shampoo getting on their face.
7. 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.
8. Dry your dog well with a warm, clean towel.
9. Allow your dog's fur to air dry. Hot blow dryers designed for human hair should not be used because they can be too hot for your dog's skin. You can use a blow dryer designed for dogs that operate at a lower temperature if you prefer.
10. Reward your dog. They have made it through the bathing process, give your dog a treat, lots of praise, and maybe even some playtime!

Should I Bring My Dog to the Groomers?

If your dog doesn't like baths and they try to fight you every time you try to get them into the tub, it might be best to take your pup to a groomer. Professional groomers have the tools and training they need to bathe dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments safely.