How Often Should You Wash Your Dog?
Dogs can be the most beloved creatures who also rejoice in their own impurity. They sniff other dogs’ butts to say hello. They ride merrily in mud and many other things much dirtier than mud. Sometimes they happily eat feces . Some dogs don’t hesitate to kill rabid animals and bring them to your home as a disgusting souvenir.
But we love them so much, which is why we have to wash and groom our supposedly dirty furry friends on a regular basis. While there is no exact science on how many times a year you should take your dog out, there are things you can take into account in order to better schedule your dog washing.
Three factors to consider
Since determining when to wash your dog is an imprecise science, here’s one way to approach your dog’s shampoo regimen: Think about your dog’s coat length, overall health, and lifestyle.
These criteria were established by the American Kennel Club, which recommends different guidelines for different dogs. As a general rule, the AKC notes, dogs with medium to long coats should be groomed every four to six weeks, depending on what kind of mud they get into.
Jorge Benderski , pet expert and celebrity groomer, told the AKC:
Dogs with medium to large coats may need bathing from once a week to every 4-6 weeks if the coat is properly maintained between baths.
However, if you wash your dog that often, make sure the shampoo you are using is mild. Don’t use shampoo that will remove natural oils from your dog’s coat. The Canine Journal explains that bathing once every three months is probably fine as long as your puppy doesn’t smell awful [emphasis added]:
As a minimum, it is recommended that you bathe your dog at least once every three months . You can wash your dog as often as once every two weeks (with a mild shampoo, this can be even more often). When in doubt, use your common sense – if your dog starts to smell, it’s probably time for the bath.
Most shorthaired breeds can take longer baths. Wild Earth recommends keeping an eye on your dog’s coat, but states that a short-haired dog will probably only need to be bathed every six weeks or three months. Basset Hounds, however, are an exception, as they are a short-haired breed with particularly oily skin and fur.
As far as your dog’s health is concerned, you should evaluate if you need a special medicated shampoo. Dogs’ skin is very sensitive, and because dogs are prone to dirt, they are prone to everything from fungal and yeast infections to dry and itchy skin. With this in mind, you don’t necessarily need to wash your dog more often, but rather, you need to use the right medicated shampoo. Talk to your veterinarian about if your dog needs it.
When it comes to your dog’s lifestyle, you should consider how often your puppy gets dirty. Active dogs tend to get dirtier more often, so count when it comes to agreeing on a schedule – it will likely be determined by a combination of all of these factors.
Can you bathe your dog too much?
In short, yes. Like humans, dogs have natural oils in their hair and skin that keep them healthy. Excessive washing can remove these oils and increase the chances of infection.
Just like you shouldn’t wash your hair every time you shower, your dog probably doesn’t need to wash once a speck of dirt appears on its coat. While they have a natural instinct to maintain a basic level of hygiene, their concept of cleanliness is very different from what we call cleanliness!
There is no need to ruin your dog’s beautiful fur coat with an obsessive brushing schedule. Just watch your dog’s coat for any infections or dirt and trust me, you can tell if your dog is starting to smell bad.