How often should I give my dog a bath

How Often Should I Give My Dog A Bath?

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Baths are part of our dogs’ wellbeing, grooming, and good hygiene. However, the frequency, duration, and the products we use are still open for discussion.

Benefits of bathing your dog.

Bathing your dog can help to get rid of the dirt in his coat and keep it shiny, remove unpleasant odors, and keep their natural oils spread. In addition to preventing infections and parasites.
However, baths can also be advised by your vet as part of medical treatment, especially if your dog suffers from skin conditions.

How often should I give my dog a bath?

The frequency of bathing depends on various factors and it’s different for every dog. This is why the recommended frequency of bathing can vary from once a month to once every 3 months. However, this is not an unbreakable rule and it will depend mostly on these factors:

 

  • Type of coat and hair length: Every coat is different and some coats need more minerals than others. Short coats such as Basset Hounds, American Foxhound, and Boerboel tend to need more oil, while long-coated dogs such as Afghan Hound, Akita, and Border Collie need moisturizers and humectants.
    As a rule of thumb, long-haired dogs need to be bathed more often than short-haired dogs with smooth coats, since they tend to gather dust in their hair.
  • Level of activity: A dog living indoors most of the time will probably have very different bathing needs from a dog who stays outdoors for long periods. Besides, if your dog likes poop rolling and mud puddles, his bathing frequency will have to be higher.

‘How often should I give my dog a bath?' Depending on their coats and level of activity, it can go from once a month to once every 3 months. When bathing your dog, use hypoallergenic shampoos with natural ingredients to avoid dehydration and irritation.

Remember that puppies shouldn’t be bathed until they are at least 3 or 4 months old.

What products should I use to give my dog a bath?

If you bathe your dog too frequently, your dog’s skin can get dehydrated and irritated. This is why is super important to use products that include moisturizers while providing soothing benefits for your dog’s skin. Try to choose a hypoallergenic shampoo with natural ingredients.

‘What if I bathed him yesterday and he got his face covered in mud, should I give my dog a bath again?’ then cleansing wipes can be your true allies in this scenario. You can use them to clean your dog when bathing is not an option.

One thing you can do before giving your pup a bath is brushing him. Why? Simple, not only will it prevent pipeline hair clogging but it will also help your dog get rid of tangles or mats which, after a bath, can remain humid and damage his skin.

Take into account that dogs are very sensitive to heat and that their sense of temperature is different from ours, so make sure to adjust it correctly.

What if my dog doesn’t like bathing?

‘Whenever I grab the shampoo, my dog sneaks out immediately’
If your dog doesn’t seem to enjoy bathing, you should try to make the experience as short and pleasant as you can.

  • Make sure to do it indoors and as comfy as you can.
  • Get bathing toys for him to be entertained during the entire bath.
  • Cushion the tub or place where you are bathing him. Sometimes, dogs feel the surface slippery and that makes them feel uncomfortable. Add a towel or a mat to make him feel safe.
  • Keep it short and sweet. If he has to undergo this unpleasant experience, try to make it fast.
  • Praise your dog after the bath by giving him a treat and letting him know he did great! Next time, he’ll probably remember the treat and be a little more exited for bath time.

 

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