Often at dog grooming salons, we hear questions like: „Is it okay to bathe a dog?”, „Is bathing not harmful?”, „How often can a dog be bathed?”.
Every dog whether purebred or not, large or small, young or senior, athlete or couch potato needs a bath and regular grooming.This contributes to keeping the dog healthy and fit.However, the question remains, „How often can a dog be bathed?” The answer varies depending on the dog’s coat type and activity.
Bathing once a week
We recommend bathing once a week for dogs with long and silky coats. In breeds such as Maltese, Shih Tzu or Yorkies, the coat grows very quickly and requires a lot of work.
When bathing, it is important to use the right cosmetics. The dog should be bathed twice. The first wash with shampoo removes dirt and the second care for the hair. After the second wash, we apply the conditioner and rinse it off after a while. Finally, be sure to squeeze out any excess water with a towel. We do not recommend rubbing your dog with a towel, as this creates knots. Next, dry your dog with a hair dryer while combing at the same time. It is important to dry your dog completely. Do not let him run around when he is wet as he can easily catch a cold.
Bathing once a month
Bathing once a month is recommended for dogs with a short, smooth coat (e.g. mop, labrador). The frequency depends mainly on the lifestyle of the dog. If the dog is active, runs a lot and gets very dirty, it can be bathed even more frequently. It is important to use a conditioner that will moisturise the skin and prevent irritation.
Quarterly baths
We recommend that dogs with undercoats be bathed quarterly. A coat with an undercoat is a coat with down underneath, which can be rough (e.g. Schnauzers) or silky (e.g. Scottish Shepherds). The undercoat protects against various weather conditions. It also performs a thermoregulatory function. If a dog with an undercoat does not live indoors, but in the backyard, even a bath once every six months, in spring and late autumn, is sufficient to prepare the dog for winter.
What does bathing do for dogs?
Bathing your dog gets rid of the dirt that accumulates in his hair and skin. It is more pleasant to stroke a dog that is clean and fragrant and will not force us to wash our hands quickly. Dogs walk on the ground, on pavements, meadows and lawns. All the germs from the outdoors on our pets’ paws get into the house. Germs from dogs land on sofas, carpets, armchairs and, unfortunately, also on the house.
Fungal and bacterial skin infections develop more quickly on a dirty dog, so it is worth taking care of our pet so that it is clean and smelling.
