Why Regular Baths Are Important for Your Dog’s Health
Let’s start with the basics. If your dog looks or smells like they need a bath, it’s probably time to give them a bath. Just like with a person, hygiene is important for your dog, says Dr. Katie Billmaier, DVM, a shelter veterinarian at Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch in Jupiter, Florida.
Not only do regular baths get rid of dirt that’s collected in a dog’s coat and make them smell great, but they also keep their skin healthy, too.
“Bathing your dog is more about maintaining a strong defensive shield around their dog than merely enhancing beauty,” says Dr. Ward. “After all, the skin is your pup’s largest organ and needs to be kept clean and healthy in order to provide a protective barrier to the environment.”
So if baths are that important for your dog’s health, how often should you be doing it?
How often should you bathe your dog?
The answer varies, depending on breed, lifestyle and coat. Even veterinarians and experts disagree on how often you should bathe your pup but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends a baseline of once every three months.
The most tried and true answer to this question is personal to your dog and their needs. Do they spend their days frolicking in the grass and playing in the mud? Are they prone to run-ins with skunks? Or are they lap dogs who would rather cozy up inside?
It’s also contingent on their hair length. According to BeChewy, medium and long coat dogs should bathe every four to six weeks, and owners of dogs with short coats should bathe their pets somewhere between every month and every three months.
Dog owners should be warned not to wash their pup’s coats too much, though. The American Kennel Club advises against over-bathing dogs with thick coats — think Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers or Siberian Huskies — because it can strip oil from the skin that aids with naturally insulating dogs.
Knowing when and how often to bathe your dog can be a learning curve, but another good indicator to use is to bathe them when they get dirty. Accidents happen. Dogs roll in things they shouldn’t, and fur gets filthy. Use your sense of smell and touch as a timer for doggy bath time.
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So, what about dogs that fall somewhere in the middle? “Thick or double coats on breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, etc., naturally insulate the dogs seasonally,” explains Monica Handy of Woofie’s Mobile Pet Spa. “Over-bathing could strip too much oil from the skin and disrupt this process. Using a product specifically for shedding will help avoid this.”
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“How frequently a pet needs a bath greatly varies based upon their breed, lifestyle, length of coat, and how much homework a pet owner is willing to do,” says Beth Cristiano, owner of Pretty Paws LLC, headquartered in Harrison, N.Y.
Of course, dogs that are playing in oceans, hunting in muddy waters, or herding sheep all day may end up needing more baths than pups that spend most of their time indoors — regardless of the breed.
Bendersky notes that an active lifestyle may be easier with a short-coated breed, given that keeping the dog clean in-between baths typically requires less effort. “You can get away with giving short-haired dogs a good rubdown with a damp washcloth to remove the dirt that was picked up during a busy visit to the dog park,” he says.
How Often Should You Bath Your Dog?! (DOG GROOMERS OPINION)
We understand if bathing your dog leaves you wondering, How often do I really have to do this? Washing your pup can be messy and time-consuming. However, regular bathing is essential for removing dirt or debris buildup and preventing skin conditions from developing.
Have no fear, there’s no need to clear everything from your schedule. Washing your dog too often (on a weekly or even biweekly schedule) can strip their skin of oils, damage hair follicles, increase risk of bacterial or fungal infections, and disrupt natural insulation. According to Jesse Sondel, DVM, owner and veterinarian at Sondel Family Veterinary Clinic, “When you bathe dogs, depending on the soap, you’re leaching the oil out of the fur which gives them their normal defenses against the world.”
“I have a little Boston terrier at home who gets himself into the grossest stuff, and I feel like I’m throwing him into the bath a couple times a month,” Sondel says. “I also have a 150-pound mastiff who is a couch potato and goes on his walks but doesn’t roll in gross stuff. I don’t think I’ve given him a bath in the last year.”
Bathing frequency is largely based on activity level and where those activities take place. “If your dog gets into something gross, if it rolls in poop, no matter what you bathe it,” Sondel says.
Understanding your dog’s breed and coat type can also help you determine how often you should wash your dog.
Sondel provides two examples: “Vizslas have a really short tan coat. They are hunting dogs and get bathed pretty often. Whereas, a husky is an arctic dog and has a thick undercoat of fur that has evolved to keep them warm. If you get that coat wet, it’s really hard to dry it out. Those dogs barely get bathed,” he says.
Less hair does not mean less bathing is required. In fact, hairless breeds are actually very care-intensive. Short-coated breeds typically require more baths than medium-coated breeds, but the type of fur—soft and oily or hard and dry—is important. Medium-coated breeds usually only need to be bathed when they are dirty or smelly. Grooming long-coated breeds requires more time, work, and upkeep.
The seasons also impact your dog’s coat. In the winter, more frequent baths can cut down on dryness and itching. Some dogs shed seasonally. In the spring and fall, when they usually shed, regular baths can help remove their dead hair.
Dogs may develop various skin conditions. Health issues such as fungal infections, bacterial infections, allergies, parasites, and dry skin necessitate more frequent bathing. “Any skin issues can be helped by medicated bathing,” Sondel says.
Dog owners who suffer from allergies can try to combat the problem by bathing their dogs more often to wash away dander. “By bathing your dog who has a lot of dander, you decrease their allergic shed,” Sondel says. However, he points out, the benefit is pretty minimal. You can’t bathe away all your dog’s allergy-inducing dander.
In general, let your eyes and nose be the judge. “If it’s just a normal bath, I wouldn’t do it more than once a month,” Sondel says. The ASPCA recommends at least once every three months. However, Sondel points out that a conversation with your veterinarian is a good place to get recommendations, since your vet will understand your pup’s specific needs.
A grooming regimen is an important way to keep your dog healthy. Learn how often your dog needs to be bathed and how to wash them well. Use baths as a chance to check your pup for any unusual scratches, bumps, fleas, or other abnormalities. Like people, dogs require more than baths to remain healthy and hygienic. Don’t forget to supplement bathing with regular coat brushing, haircuts, nail trimming, and teeth brushing.