When you first get your new dog home, it’s understandable that you might be a bit anxious about how to care for him the best way possible. After all, this is a brand-new experience for both of you. That said, it’s important that you don’t go overboard when it comes to bathing your new pup from the start. While he’s getting used to his new home and his new parents, he won’t need to be bathed as often as other dogs do. As such, there are a few things that you should keep in mind regarding how often you should bathe your dog. Dog owners want the best for their pets at all times. However, there are some who take their love and affection for their dog a little too far.
Is There A Rule For How Often To Bathe A Dog?
Veterinarians suggest that you bathe your dog no more than once every four to six weeks. This rule of thumb applies to all breeds and ages, including puppies and seniors. If a dog gets too clean, he can become sick. You may notice that your dog has a skin condition such as excessive itching, redness or hot spots. If that’s the case, or if you simply have a dog with long hair, you may need to bathe him more often. If you have a show dog, you may have to bathe him more often since judges want the dogs to be clean and shiny. If you have a hunting dog or a dog who frequently goes on walks in muddy or dirty surroundings, you’ll likely want to bathe him less often so he doesn’t lose his natural oils that allow him to repel dirt.
How Should You Shampoo Your Dog?
Most dog shampoos are concentrated and need to have water added for the best results. If no dilution ratio is listed on your dog shampoo, try 4 parts water to 1 part shampoo. Diluted shampoo cuts through the coat easier and is easier to rinse. Make sure that you’re using warm water, and make sure to avoid getting shampoo in their eyes.
3 Reasons To Give Your Dog A Bath
- To Clean Him Up – If your dog gets into a sticky situation, such as rolling around in a muddy patch or rolling in stinky poop in the backyard, a bath can help get him clean again. You can also give your dog a bath if he’s sick and needs a way to clean himself up.
- To Calm Her Itch – If your dog has a skin condition, such as mange, an itchy skin condition caused by mites, or if she’s allergic to something like a flea bite, a bath with medicated or special shampoo can help calm it down.
- To Get Rid Of Fleas – If your dog has fleas, you can give them a bath with flea shampoo to get rid of them. Make sure to not get any in their mouth, as this can make them sick.
3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Bathe Your Dog
There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t bathe your dog.
- First, if your dog is old and frail, bathing might be too taxing on his system. The water, the shampoo, and the towel all add up to a lot of extra stress on an old dog’s heart.
- Second, if your dog is pregnant, excessive bathing can dehydrate her and the puppies inside.
- Third, if your dog has a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, bathing can irritate those conditions and make them worse.
The Bottom Line
Like all things, there is a balance when it comes to bathing your dog. Too often and you run the risk of damaging his skin. Not often enough and he’ll get pretty stinky! Try to find a happy medium between those two sides, and you’re sure to have a happy dog. Most importantly, remember that dogs are very social animals who are extremely affectionate towards their family. As such, they need to be cared for just like any other pet: with patience and love. With that in mind, how often you bathe your dog should be determined by a few things, including his breed, his coat type, and how dirty he gets on a daily basis.
