How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?

Reports show that over 56% of dog owners do not bathe their dogs as often as they should. Dog grooming is extremely important for the health of your dog but it is often neglected.

Many dog owners love and take good care of their dogs but tend to fail at one thing. Bathing your dog is something that has to be done in order to keep them healthy and happy.

Keep reading to find out how often should you bathe your dog and what products you should use.

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How Often Do You Need to Bathe Your Dog?

If you want to keep your pooch clean, you need to practice regular grooming. Dog grooming is about so much more than just getting their coat and nails trimmed.

Most people suggest washing your dog every two to three months on average. Although, this is going to be different for everyone’s dog.

Every pooch is going to have different needs when it comes to getting bathed. Not every dog has the same coat, lifestyle, or skin type, so they need different bathing schedules.

This is why dog owners shouldn’t depend on vague estimates of how often they should bathe their dogs. You need to look at your dog to find out how often it should get washed.

Activity Level

One of the most important things to consider about your dog is its activity level. Is your dog very active, playing hard most days of the week? Or is your dog a little lazy?

Like humans, dogs are going to get dirtier the more active they are. Dogs don’t sweat like we do, but they will start to get dirty and need a bath just like we would.

When you need to bathe a dog, you need to examine how active they are on a daily basis. Very active dogs should usually have a bath once every one to two weeks.

This is going to be especially important if they live in areas where they can get very dirty. Dogs who play in a backyard often require more bathing as they collect more grime.

So how often should you bathe your dog? Look at the activity level of your dog first when answering this question.

Lazy dogs that aren’t very active won’t get dirty quite as fast and can get bathed less. Though there are other things to consider aside from lifestyle.

Type of Coat

The type of coat that your dog has is another thing that dog owners need to think about. Generally, the longer the coat, the more often the dog needs to be bathed.

Longer coats tend to get dirtier faster and need more rigorous grooming. This would include medium-length to long coats that should be washed every four to six weeks.

Although, dogs that have long coats and are active will most likely need weekly bathing. Dogs with longer coats are generally more work, when it comes to keeping them clean and happy.

If your dog has a short coat, you will only need to wash your dog occasionally. Short coats tend to stay cleaner for longer and don’t pick up as much grime and dirt.

Short coats can be bathed only once a month to every three months. Although, this will also depend on your dog’s lifestyle and whether or not they are active.

It is important to keep in mind that dogs with shorter coats should get groomed less in general. They have more skin exposed, and it can become dried out if washed too often.

That being said, hairless dogs will need to be bathed often to keep their skin clean. Dogs with oily coats should also be bathed often to prevent a build-up on their coat.

Dogs with longer coats don’t have this issue quite as much, as their skin is better protected. So they can be bathed more without negatively affecting their skin.

Dogs that shed often can be bathed a bit less as the shedding process helps to clean their coat. This naturally removes excess oils and dead skin without requiring frequent bathing.

Type of Skin

The type of skin that your dog has is also important in bathing. Some dogs have very sensitive skin that can be irritated easily.

When you wash your dog, you need to take its skin into consideration. Some dog breeds have very sensitive or dry skin that can be negatively impacted by bathing.

If this is the case, you may need to bathe your dog less often or use a special shampoo. Dogs with skin infections may also need to be bathed very frequently for a period of time.

Hairless dogs should be bathed very frequently, usually on a weekly schedule. This is important as their skin is exposed and can become very dirty within a short amount of time.

Elderly dogs may also need more baths as they tend to get dirtier and have dryer skin.

How Should You Dry Your Dog?

Most dogs can be easily dried after a bath with an ordinary bath towel. You should rub them down to soak up as much moisture as you can.

Then you can usually let your dog air dry the rest of the way. Air drying usually only takes one to two hours before your dog’s coat is completely dry.

For shaggy breeds or breeds with double coats, you may need to use a hair dryer. When doing this, make sure to only use the lowest setting and only do it long enough to speed up the drying process.

You should also brush your dog after they have dried to catch any tangles. This is more common in breeds with oiler coats as their hair becomes matteds very easily.

Regular brushing should be a part of your dog grooming schedule just like bathing is.

Why Is Bathing Your Dog Important?

Bathing your dog is something that is necessary. Just like humans, dogs also get dirty and need to be cleaned up.

Washing your dog helps them to have a clean coat and healthy skin. Not washing them enough can cause matting, a stinky coat, and itchy skin.

You should never let your dog get to the point where it is smelling very bad. They should get bathed often enough that they stay relatively clean all the time.

If you are not sure how often you should bathe a dog, you can always ask your veterinarian. They will be able to tell you what kind of coat your dog has and what schedule is best.

Can You Bathe a Dog Too Much?

Now that you know more about how often should you bathe your dog, can you do this too much? The answer to that question is yes.

Though bathing your dog is very important, you can also overdo it. Your dog should never be washed all the time to keep them at your level of cleanliness.

People aren’t supposed to wash their hair every day, and the same rule applies to dogs. Bathing them too often can actually do more harm than good.

Bathing your dog too much will strip its coat of its natural oils. Doing this can lead to dry skin and hair that is irritating and very itchy for your dog.

What Grooming Products Should You Use?

When you bathe a dog, you also need to use the right products. A dog shampoo is necessary as human shampoo can strip your dog’s coat.

Preferably, you should buy a dog shampoo and conditioner that is as clean as possible. Plant-based options are great and provide enough cleaning power without being too harsh.

You should pick your products according to your dog’s specific needs. Dogs with sensitive skin may need a special formula to keep their skin nice and calm.

Getting your products from a brand like Pet Releaf is a great option that is designed for dogs. This ensures that your dog will be getting the best-quality pet products.

How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?

Are you wondering how often should you bathe your dog? This is a question that is going to depend on your dog and what they need specifically.

Every dog is going to need a different bathing schedule, as they all have different coats and lifestyles.

Does your dog need to be bathed more often? Contact us today at Pet Releaf to see what plant-based pet products we have to offer.