How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?

BY MONIQUE BALAS

To bathe or not to bathe? It may be difficult to determine when to give your dog a bath, but that familiar “doggie smell” may be a telltale sign.

“Dogs really aren’t supposed to smell,” says Dr. Terese DeManuelle, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist at Animal Dermatology Clinic Portland.

“If they smell, sometimes they just need a brush and a bath.”

Many variables affect how often you should clean your canine, including coat or fur type, lifestyle, and whether or not it has a skin condition.

In general, once every 30 to 60 days is a good rule of thumb.

BEGIN WITH A BRUSHING

All dogs can benefit from regular grooming, but you’ll definitely want to do this before bathing, especially for larger, long-haired breeds like German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and their mixes.

Brushing improves the skin’s condition by increasing air flow and decreasing humidity, DeManuelle advises, while making the bathing process itself a little less, er, hairy.

A pre-bath brushing “is going to make the bathing process a lot less messy, because that dead coat isn’t going to come out in your bathtub, and it’s going to make the drying process a lot faster.”

Brushing brings the added benefits of distributing natural oils for a healthy-looking coat and sloughing off dead and dry skin, according to the Animal Humane Society.

NOT ENOUGH VS. TOO MUCH

Aside from unpleasant odor, insufficient bathing can lead to some prickly problems. “Depending on the

coat type, there’s all kinds of foreign materials that can get trapped in the coat that can make their way into the skin, like foxtails, grass awns, and burs,” DeManuelle says.

The barbed spikes can work their way into your pooch’s paws, causing pain and possible infections.

Bathing too often, on the other hand — such as weekly or twice a month — can strip your dog’s

coat of natural skin-protecting oils, taking away some of its shine and luster, according to Pets WebMD.

SEEKING THE RIGHT SHAMPOO

Since it seems like there are almost as many types of shampoos as there are dog breeds out there, it can be tough to find the right one.

The first step is making sure you use a cleanser specifically formulated for dogs.

Dog skin has a different pH than that of humans, and any human shampoo (yes, even baby shampoo) can be too harsh.

As for what types of ingredients to look for, it depends on what type of skin or issue your dog has. If your dog has dry skin, use a shampoo with emollients and moisturizing ingredients, DeManuelle recommends.

Check with your veterinarian to find out specifically what your pet needs. Veterinary shampoos are safe to use on Fido’s face, including near the eyes; in fact, DeManuelle notes that this is an area that owners often neglect. Dogs rely on their noses so much that pollen, dust, and debris often gather around their faces, and food particles can get stuck in their fur when they eat.

Lastly, think of bath time as a way to bond with your dog and to check for any unusual lumps or bumps. “Giving your dog a bath is an excellent opportunity to look at your dog’s skin,” DeManuelle says, noting that lesions and skin or yeast infections are more easily visible on a damp dog. “There are all kinds of different diseases that dogs can get that are a lot easier to see when your dog is wet in the bathtub.”

TIPS

Make sure to use tepid water — not hot, as this can cause itchiness and red, inflamed skin.

If you use a topical flea medication, make sure to follow the package instructions. “If you bathe your dog too soon after applying, you can potentially wash off the medication and decrease the efficacy,” DeManuelle says.

If your dog swims in a chlorinated pool on a regular basis, make sure to bathe it afterward or at least rinse off the chlorine — it can be very drying and irritating.

If you use a blowdryer, make sure to keep it on the cool setting. Dogs that seem itchy when they get back from the groomer may be reacting to the hot air from the dryer, overly warm water, or the type of shampoo used.

If your dog swims regularly, Dr. Terese DeManuelle advises the use of an ear cleaner to remove any debris, which can get into the ear canal and lead to an ear infection.