According to Experts, How Often You Bathe a Dog Depends on These 3 Things
While Dr. Andrea Caspary, DVM, of Tampa Bay Animal Hospitals at North Bay in Florida, says there’s no true science that says how often to bathe a dog, you can make an educated guess based on three things: their lifestyle, coat and skin conditions.
As humans, we know that if we work up a sweat at the gym or get dirty doing yardwork, we should take a shower. Well, the same rule applies to our pups. Active dogs are going to require more frequent bathing than the coach potatoes.
“Activity level should be the prime factor in determining how often you bathe your dog,” says Miguel Garcia, Chief Groomer at Central Bark Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Garcia suggests bathing very active dogs at least once every two weeks.
However, if your dog loves swimming in the ocean, rolling around in mud or any other activity where they clearly get dirty, you should give them a bath after each activity, says Dr. Billmaier, even if you just recently bathed them.
On the other hand, if your dog is the binge-watching Netflix type rather than the outdoorsy adventurer, you may only need to bathe them a handful of times a year.
“For more sedentary dogs with short coats like a French Bulldog, they may need one bath every two to three months as long as they are staying clean,” Dr. Caspary says.
But regardless of your pup’s activity level, your dog’s coat type matters, too.
When it comes to length, according to Dr. Billamaier, dogs with medium to long coats should get frequent bathing, usually every four to six weeks, and dogs with short coats can be bathed every one to three months.
Keep in mind that “the type of coat your dog has is a major factor in the frequency in which you should bathe them, but the rule of thumb doesn’t go strictly by length of fur or hair,” says Dr. Billmaier.
According to Daryl Conner, Master Pet Stylist and owner/operator of FairWinds Grooming Studio in Appleton, Maine, “Coat length is less important than texture.”
Some dogs have coats that naturally repel dirt, while others seem to hold on to it, she says.
“Dogs like Poodles and Bichons have soft coats that dirt tends to cling to,” Conner says. “Drop coated breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos also tend to collect oil and debris and need frequent bathing to ensure their coats look and smell fresh. “
Dr. Billmaier suggests bathing hairless dogs and breeds with oily coats, like Labrador Retrievers and Basset Hounds, quite frequently—about once a week. This helps “to protect their skin from absorbing bacteria, pollutants and toxins that are naturally eliminated when a furrier or hairier dog sheds,” Dr. Billmaier says. “Hairless dogs are prone to pore blockages and dermatological issues such as spots and blackheads if their bathing routine is not consistent and often.”
Thick and double-coated breeds, like Huskies, can be bathed every one to three months. These dogs are prone to shedding, and “When a dog sheds, [the coat] naturally rids itself of dead skin cells and bacteria that could be harmful, so it is not necessary to bathe the dog frequently in addition to the natural shedding process,” Dr. Billmaier says.
If you’re not sure what kind of coat your dog has, ask your veterinarian during your next visit.
The third factor that’s important in determining how often you should bathe your dog is your pet’s skin. Some dogs have skin conditions or a temporary skin infection that requires frequent application of a special shampoo prescribed by a vet.
“A dog that has a mild skin infection and has been prescribed a medicated shampoo may need to be bathed twice a week for two to three weeks depending on the resolution of the infection,” Dr. Caspary says.
The frequency at which you should bathe your dog with a medicated shampoo will depend on your dog’s skin condition, the product you use and your veterinarian’s recommendation. If you think your pup needs a special shampoo, check out this article on the best shampoos for common dog skin conditions and talk to your veterinarian.
Another way to keep teeth clean is to buy raw turkey necks. Give one a week or every other week, and you’ll never need the dentist. Kknuckle/soup marrow bones are also at your supermarket. The gnawing greyhounds do on these big bones help to keep off any plaque. Bad breath is a sign of mouth problems, so please check with your vet when your dog breaths on you and you gag.
One caveat — there are a few “totally natural” flea collars out on the market. These collars are treated with pennyroyal, mint and eucalyptus oils. They are perfectly safe for greyhounds. The best way to handle fleas safely is to use natural flea shampoos and flea sprays that use natural-based pyrethrins and do not contain organic phosphates. Take time to read the label. Many flea products cannot be used on a dog who is taking heartworm preventative medication. When in doubt, check with your vet. Also, many flea sprays that advertise long duration protection are far too strong to be used on greyhounds.
These little pills pack a punch of enzymes for humans and hounds. Best on the market!
One of the nicest features of your greyhound is that he doesn’t have a lot of hair and this makes him easy to care for. A quick brushing with a grooming mitt (nubbed rubber glove), and lots of petting keeps him looking great.
Greyhounds have notoriously bad teeth when they come off the track as they’ve been fed a lot of soft food. They’ve been cleaned before you adopted your greyhound, but those teeth get plaque build-up just like yours. Brushing them regularly helps them to stay clean and healthy.
What is a common problem in Italian Greyhounds?
As with most purebred dogs, IG’s do have their fair share of health concerns. Some do have a skin problem known as color mutant alopecia. Other issues in the breed are deafness and hypothyroidism, which is a hormonal disease.
How often should you bathe a greyhound?
There’s nothing better than snuggling up with your pup on the couch for an evening of quality time. But as your dog nuzzles in closer, you realize something smells a little funny. As you sniff around, you realize—ugh—it’s your dog!
No one likes a stinky pup, but it’s nothing a bath can’t fix. While some pet parents may be guilty of waiting until their dog really needs a bath to give them one (*raises hand*), regular bathing is actually an essential part of caring for your dog, according to Ernie Ward, DVM, CVFT, co-founder and chief veterinary officer of Wild Earth in Northern California.
So what constitutes “regular bathing”? How often should you bathe your dog? The answer is—it depends. It could range from a couple times a week to once every few months, based on your pup’s activity level, coat type and skin condition. In general, most dogs would fare well with a bath every month or so, but again, it depends on the dog.
Read on to find out how often to bathe your specific dog, based on expert advice from veterinarians and groomers.