The frequency at which you bathe your dog varies depending on several factors. The breed, where you live, and how fast your dog produces an unpleasant smell. No matter what category your dog falls under, it is important not to bathe them more often than truly necessary. A dog has natural oils that can be stripped from its coat if bathed too often.
As a rule of thumb, most dogs can get by with a bath once a month.There are some exceptions. Dogs with an oily coat such as the Basset Hound might need bathing as frequently as once a week, while breeds with water-repellent coats or thick double coats need less frequent baths. Double coated breeds require extra brushing to remove the loose or dead hairs, and distribute the oils throughout the coat.
Another factor in the frequency of bathing is what your dog does while outside. If your dog enjoys rolling around in the mud or going swimming then you might have to bathe them more frequently than you would if you lived in an apartment. When in doubt, the best way to know if your dog needs a bath is to give them a sniff.
When giving your dog a bath it is important to know what kind of shampoo you need. For starters, you should always use dog shampoo for it does not dry their skin as much as our shampoo does. If you intend on bathing your dog more than once a month you might want to use a soap-free or moisturizing shampoo to not dry out their skin.
If the very thought of getting your dog to hold still while you bathe it is a joke, you might want to try hiring a groomer. There are many groomers out there who have special techniques to get your dog to hold still. And your dog may even need a professional groomer. Breeds such as Poodles, Yorkies, and Maltese springers have hair instead of fur. This hair can grow quite long and will continue to grow just like our hair until it is cut.
By geoffrey|Tue, Jul 5, 2016
