How often should you bathe a dog?
How often to bathe your dog, why most dogs don't need it often, and how to brush, bathe and check them so their coat and skin stay healthy all year round.
Less than you think. According to the ASPCA, most dogs don’t need to be bathed more than a few times a year. What they do need often is brushing.
When a bath is due
- They’ve rolled in something or come back from a walk covered in mud.
- They smell even after brushing. If the smell is still there after a bath, or comes from the ears or mouth, mention it to your vet.
- Your vet has prescribed a shampoo for a skin problem. Then follow their schedule, not the general one.
How to bathe them properly
- Brush first and comb or cut out mats: water makes them tighter.
- Use a dog shampoo and lukewarm water.
- Rinse thoroughly. The ASPCA stresses this: if soap is left behind, dirt sticks to the residue.
- Dry them well, especially when it’s cold or they have a thick coat.
What to do often instead
- Brush frequently. It keeps the coat clean and cuts down shedding around the house.
- Check for fleas and ticks daily in warm weather, as the ASPCA recommends, especially after walks in the countryside.
- Wash their bed often.
In Miloop you log flea and tick treatments and it reminds you when the next one is due.