Dogs sit on our lap, lie on our furniture, and ride in our car with us. We want them to be clean. But many dog owners question just how often their dog needs a bath.
Reasons For Infrequent Baths
The frequency with which a dog needs a bath depends on how dirty he gets and the type of coat he has. Generally, the fewer baths a dog gets, the better. In the past, dogs were bathed to control fleas and other parasites but today, topical preventatives handle that. Bathing strips the skin of natural oils and frequent baths can cause dry, itchy skin which may lead to scratching and subsequent infection. Dryers tend to dry out the skin even more. Another reason to avoid the soap and water is risk of chill.
Infrequent baths may keep the dog happier but at the end of the day, no dog owner wants a dirty, smelly dog in the bed. So just how often can we safely bathe him?
Baths According to Coat
Short, smooth coated dogs, like the Boston Terrier, will obviously not require much grooming. If they live inside and stay relatively clean, a wipe down with a damp cloth every few days and a good scrub every couple of months may be enough. Dogs with double coats, silky, long, curly, or wire coats will need more frequent grooming.
For dogs who go out and get dirty or smelly, a sponge bath of the dirty areas will probably do the trick. Mud will dry and easily brush out of the coat. Dry shampoos or cornstarch sprinkled into the coat and brushed out can also freshen dogs in between baths. Some breeds, such as the American Eskimo, have a coat that seems to resist dirt, and a simple daily brushing will usually keep these dogs clean for a long time.
Bathing Tips
Be sure to comb out any mats before bathing. Mats are much easier to remove before the dog gets wet. A mild shampoo especially formulated with the right pH for dogs is best. Be sure to use the right shampoo for the coat type. A crème rinse and detangler will help keep long coats flowing.
To minimize dry skin, bath water should be lukewarm and the suds rinsed thoroughly from the coat. Avoid lathering the head to prevent getting suds in the eyes or ears. Simply wipe the facial area with a damp cloth. Eyes and ears should be cleaned separately according to instructions from your veterinarian or groomer. At the end of the bath, be sure to dry inside ears with a soft cloth. To keep the dog from shaking water everywhere before the bath is over, try lathering his neck area last. Air drying is best but if a dryer is needed, those designed for dogs have lower settings and will minimize drying of the skin.
Bathing Puppies
Puppies younger than 4 or 5 weeks should not be bathed although getting them accustomed to baths at an early age is important to avoid struggles later on. Puppies chill easily and should be dried thoroughly to prevent this. Puppies are notorious for their lack of hygiene but sponge baths or spot cleanings are usually enough between baths.
Most dogs can stay relatively clean with infrequent baths. They may need their paws or hineys wiped upon returning from outside but, unless they get into a particular mess or find something especially fragrant to roll in, anything more than simple doggy scent may indicate a skin infection which should be checked out by a veterinarian.
Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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