How often should you bathe your dog?
There is no universal rule that dictates how often dogs should be bathed; rather, the frequency depends on many factors. A dog's body odor varies depending on:
- Breed
- Feeding
- Level of physical exercise
- Lifestyle
Because of these and other factors, some dogs may need a bath once a month, while others may go 3 or more months without needing a bath.
Want to help your dog reduce body odor? Dogs that are fed dry food tend to smell more than dogs that are fed natural food - take a look at the BARF diet!
Bearing in mind that it is not possible to know exactly how often a dog should be bathed and that it depends on each individual case, we can determine, more or less, that no dog should be bathed more than once a month. Of course, if on a particular day your dog is very dirty, you can bathe him even if it is less than a month since the previous bath; for example, after an outing to the countryside. Another option, in that case, is to use a dry shampoo. But you should not take the routine of bathing him too often just for the sake of it.
Why is it bad to bathe a dog often?
Besides being unnecessary, yes, it is bad. Dogs have an oily layer on their skin that protects them from external agents and aggressions, in addition to moisturizing. If they are bathed too often, this layer can disappear and alter the pH of the skin.
A dog that bathes too often can suffer from itching, flaking, skin irritation... in addition to being deprived of its natural odor, which can be uncomfortable. We have to assume that dogs have a particular smell and it is not necessary to fight to eliminate it constantly.
That is why we do not recommend bathing them more than once a month, not even weekly. If you still think it is necessary to bathe them more frequently, opt for soap-free shampoos. Did you know that you can make your own homemade dog shampoo? For example, with an oatmeal base.
How often should you bathe a puppy
Puppies should be bathed as often as adult dogs. However, be careful if you have a puppy under three months old or if it is sick. In that case, it is better to wait and not bathe it in those circumstances, as it could catch cold and get worse. Also, never bathe a puppy before it receives its first vaccinations: as long as it is not vaccinated, the dirt in its coat is the only barrier it has against parasites.
Whenever you bathe a puppy, it is important to do it in a warm room, away from drafts. Use warm water (but don't let it burn!) and dry him very well afterwards.
After bathing, whether puppy or adult, you must brush his coat, and not only after bathing! You should do it often, especially if it is a long-haired dog. Brushing your dog will remove dirt, dead cells, dead hair... It will stay soft and beautiful!