If you’ve ever owned a dog, then you know just how quickly a clean, shiny coat can get dirty! Unfortunately, there is a lot of contradicting advice about how often and what to use when bathing your dog. Here are some quick tips on how to determine how often your dog needs a bath and the best way to do it!

Does your dog need a bath?

Dogs tend to have a natural “doggy” odor about them, but that doesn’t always mean they need a bath. Regular grooming and care outside of bath time can help to prevent unwanted odors and increase the amount of time between bathing.

If your dog has been outside rolling around in the dirt, he will need a bath. If your dog’s nose helps him find a dead animal that he simply can’t resist rolling around in, and you later discover that it was a dead animal, then he will need a bath. If he has the misfortune of coming into contact with another animal such as a skunk, you know what you need to do. Always be aware of your pet’s skin conditions that may require chronic treatment or bathing. Many skin & coat conditions as well as the presence of external parasites require frequent trips to the bathtub. Baths are also good to give if you are treating external parasites or skin conditions that require a medicated shampoo.

General Tips in between Bathing

Normal bathing should be done less often than once every three weeks. This is because bathing too often can actually harm your dog’s skin and coat by drying out the skin and preventing the body’s natural oils from spreading. When you do give your dog a bath, be sure to use a shampoo that is medicated for soothing relief or contains ingredients such as aloe or oatmeal. These ingredients will help reduce any irritation from the shampoo and can also help keep your pet’s coat shiny & soft.

When bathing your dog, be sure to get a good lather and get under the coat to the skin. Let it set for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly making sure not to leave any shampoo behind. Use this time to inspect your dog’s skin for rashes, visible parasites, or other conditions that may have been masked before by dirt & leaves.

In the times between bathing, pet or baby wipes are a great tool for man’s best friend! These are great for wiping off dirty paws or spot cleaning the skin and coat without a full-blown bath. It’ll also allow you to keep the coat clean and smelling fresh without stripping it. Waterless shampoos and sprays work in a similar fashion, keeping the affected area cleaned without removing natural oils.

Other Useful Grooming Tools

Other useful grooming tools include, shedding blades, brushes, combs and sprays. These are all great for daily grooming to help remove loose hair and dirt, keep the coat shiny, and spot clean problem areas. Daily cleaning also gives you a chance to inspect the skin and coat for any problems before they arise.

If at any time you notice a problem with your dog’s skin or coat, or if bathing doesn’t seem to be enough, then it may be time to let your local vet take a look. Your vet can get you on a more appropriate care routine or may prescribe medicated shampoos or other supplies to help treat the problem.

With Love,

Mr. Bentley & Ms. Bella

About our Writers

Pet Wish Pros is proud to have Bentley and Bella contributing to our pet health blog. For many years, Bentley has been passionate about improving and learning from the lives and experiences of homeless pets in the greater Atlanta area. Bella is usually busy discovering new pet health products and medications. In her free time, Bella enjoys working on her horse farm. Both Bentley and Bella are devoted to animal health & their experience allows them to keep you informed while saving YOU money! 

Follow Bentley and Bella’s weekly blog updates and stay current with the latest trends in pet health. Please send your questions to  help@petwishpros.com.