Is it OK to bathe my dog twice a week

How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?

For a lot of new dog owners, it can be difficult to determine how often you should bathe your puppy or adult dog. The truth is, the answer depends on a lot of factors.

How frequently a pet needs a bath greatly varies based upon their breed, lifestyle, length of coat, and how much homework a pet owner is willing to do, says Beth Cristiano, owner of Pretty Paws LLC, headquartered in Harrison, N.Y.

Whats Your Dogs Coat Type?

The type of coat your dog has is a big factor in how often they require baths. However, its not as simple as the shorter the hair, the less bathing required. Hairless breeds, such as the Chinese Crested and the Xoloitzcuintli, are actually quite care-intensive, according to Cristiano, who says these breeds require weekly baths.

At the other end of the spectrum are the long-coated breeds, such as the Maltese and the Collie. Obviously, the more hair a dog has, the more work is involved, including the frequency of the bath, says JorgeBendersky, a celebrity doggroomer, pet expert, and best-selling author of DIY DogGrooming, From Puppy Cuts to Best in Show: Everything You Need to Know. He adds, For dogs with medium-to-large coats, a bath could be needed from weekly to every four to six weeks, as long as the coat is properly maintained in-between baths.

But a breed such as the Puli, which is technically long-haired, is not bathed as often when corded. According to the Puli Club of America, the Puli doesnt develop that typical doggie odor, and really, a Puli probably doesnt require as many baths as most other breeds.

So, what about dogs that fall somewhere in the middle? Thick or double coats on breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, etc., naturally insulate the dogs seasonally, explains Monica Handy ofWoofiesMobile Pet Spa. Overbathing could strip too much oil from the skin and disrupt this process. Using a product specifically for shedding will help avoid this.

Does Your Dog Have Specific Health Conditions?

If your dog suffers from certain health conditions, your groomer and/or veterinarian may suggest that you use medicated shampoo while bathing your dog. Even if your canine companion is healthy, a grooming regimen usingproducts like de-shedding tools and brushes helps keep them that way. All pets benefit from monthly ear cleaning and nail trimming, Cristiano comments. Thorough coat-brushing and combing and conditioning are more integral to the pets health than bathtime.

Then, theres the health of the owner. Sometimes the bath is for the humans comfort, not the pets, Cristiano continues. For owners who suffer from allergies, theyll typically react to their pets dander, which can be managed with a weekly bathing routine. A dander-removing shampoo may also help manage human allergies.

Whats Your Dogs Lifestyle?

Bendersky notes that an active lifestyle may be easier with a short-coated breed, given that keeping the dog clean in-between baths typically requires less effort. You can get away with giving short-haired dogs a good rubdown with a damp washcloth to remove the dirt that was picked up during a busy visit to the dog park, he says.

Of course, dogs that are playing in oceans, hunting in muddy waters, or herding sheep all day may end up needing more baths than pups that spend most of their time indoors regardless of the breed.

At the end of the day, Bendersky offers this advice: We should wash our dogs when they are no longer huggable.

Can I Wash My Dogs Twice a Week?

Bathing your dog might be a necessity -- especially if he likes to roll around in the mud. Most dogs, however, can go a long time without a bath. If you are bathing your dog two times a week, you might want to visit your vet to see if there is an underlying medical condition that's causing your puppy to be stinky.

Frequency of Bath Time

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends a dog bath once every three months, more if your dog spends a lot of time outside. Some pet guardians bathe their dogs more frequently, and as long as they are using a dog shampoo or human baby shampoo -- mild enough for a dog to handle -- frequent bathing should not cause problems. Checking with your vet, however, is always a good idea -- in particular if your dog's skin shows signs of irritation. If bathing does not rid the dog of an unpleasant smell, he may have an underlying skin condition that needs a vet's attention.

How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?

Many pet parents find themselves asking questions after adopting a new pup, including how often they should bathe their dog. The answer can be tricky since it depends on the dog and other factors.

There are no hard and fast rules for bathingbut how often will depend on many things, including the breed of dog, their coat type, lifestyles, and the time of year.

Key Takeaways

• Your pups breed will be a major determining factor when it comes to how often they need full baths.
• Products matterespecially if your dog is managing a health or skin condition. Always work with your veterinarian.
• Dog odor tends to be more obvious in the summer versus the winter months.

How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?

Bathing and grooming are two related but different things. All dogs need regular grooming. This includes trimming their toenails, brushing their coat out, using de-shedding tools for dogs with thicker coats, and cleaning their ears and folds of their skin.

Some dogs will need more frequent grooming than others. However, most dogs will benefit from a weekly once over to shorten their nails, clean their ears, and take care of small snags and tangles in their fur. A full bathincluding a wet down, shampoo, and rinse varies. Bathing too frequently can lead to dry coats and skin problems, while not enough bathing can lead to health problems and a stinky pup. The happy medium may range from bathing your dog once a week to only a few times a year.

Dog Breed and Dog Coat Type

Your dogs breed will be a huge determining factor for how often to bathe them, and how much work this process entails. It isnt as simple as fur length, as hairless dogs like the Xoloitzcuintli need quite a bit of coat care even though they dont have much fur. Other dogs, such as the Puli, have super long coats. They surprisingly need little careespecially after their coats have been corded. Double-coated dogs like Labradorsoften need more de-shedding work than they do bathing, and long-haired pups like Collies tend to get more tangles and mats which require regular care.

As a rule, the larger the dog and the longer the coat, the more effort will be needed to keep things under control, although this may not mean bathing, but more general grooming and coat care. Be sure to research the breed (or mix of breeds) to find out its needs before adopting. As a responsible pet parent, you need to know what to expect.

Health Conditions

If your pup has any health conditionsparticularly those that affect the skinyour veterinarian will likely have additional guidelines to consider when developing a bathing schedule. Be mindful that medicated shampoos may be necessary to treat some skin conditions, and that these dogs may need to be bathed either more or less frequently than the general breed recommendations.

Using the wrong product on a dog with unhealthy skin could make matters worse, so if you are noting any changes in your pets skin, be sure to check it out with your veterinarian before opting for a product.

Seasonality

The time of year will also affect how often to bathe and what products to use. During the warm, wet months of the year, many dogs are prone to greasy coats and doggy odor.Skin allergies will also be more in focus, with scratches and sores developing. Parasites such as fleas and ticks are also more common, further irritating the skin. This means that more frequent bathsoften with medicated productsare necessary.

Dogs that swim in the warmer months may not need as many baths but will need a good rise in clean water post swim. During the winter, dogs typically arent as dirty, but are more prone to dry skin which can be itchy and irritating, so a moisturizing shampoo is necessary. The level of bathing will depend on the amount of dirt and grime on your pooch.

Age and Lifestyle

Puppies and young adults tend to be experts when it comes to finding ways to get dirty. As a result, these dogs often need more baths.

As dogs age, they tend to become more inactive. Some dogs prefer to stay indoors rather than play outside. Senior pups typically do not need as much bathingusually just enough to keep any body odor at bay. You can also invest in some grooming wipes to keep them smelling fresh between baths.

Senior dogs also have restricted activity and may have trouble keeping themselves clean. They may require more intensive grooming, as they may not be able to do it on their own. Some of these pups may start to show health issues, such as urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence can cause dogs to easily soil their coat. If they are managing health conditions, daily wipes and spot cleaning may be necessary.

How Often Should You Brush Your Dog?

Brushing should be done daily for long-coated breeds and at least weekly for dogs with a short coat. Brushing goes a long way to keep fur and underlying skin healthy. Dogs with thick coats will need to have the undercoat pulled out with de-shedding tools, while dogs prone to tangles will need careful dematting.

Most mixed-breed dogs will benefit from brushing a few times a week. When in doubt, brush it out.

Dog Bathing Products to Have on Hand

Before stocking up on bathing supplies, chat with your veterinarian to be sure they are right for your pooch.

Some great products to keep on hand include:

Professional Grooming Considerations

Many pet parents take their pups regularly to have a groomer do all the heavy hitting. If you prefer a particular haircut for your pup, or its time to do a seasonal shave down, these tasks are often best left to a groomer. If you notice your dog has tight knots or has rolled in something sticky like bubblegum, groomers have special tools to deal with the situation safely.

Whether you want to groom your dog or have a professional take care of them, good coat care is not only cosmetic, but also critical to the health of your pup.

Featured Image: iStock.com/Su Arslanoglu

WRITTEN BY

Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP

Veterinarian

Sandra Mitchell is a 1995 graduate of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine.Since graduation, she has worked in many fields...

Can I Bathe My Dog Twice a Week?

Dogs get smelly. They roll on the ground, run happily through mud, and splash in puddles. This often leads dog owners to wonder how often they can bathe their dogs.

Can I bathe my dog twice a week? The short answer is yes. You can bathe your dog as often as necessary. Once per week is a more common bathing schedule for dogs, but you can bathe your dog twice a week if you prefer. In fact, bathing your dog can be an enjoyable experience for both of you.

While we as humans often shower daily, this isnt reasonable for your dog. We do it to maintain hygiene and avoid smelling nasty to others. Your dog, however, has no such concern. Like some people need to shower or bathe more often because of oily skin or acne, dogs have individual needs that can determine how often they require bathing or whether frequent bathing is advised.

Factors that affect how often you should bath your dog

The majority of dogs will benefit from weekly or twice weekly bathing. This should keep your dog reasonably clean and its coat soft and shiny. There are, however, some factors that can affect how often your dog needs bathing.

The amount of oil in their fur and skin

Oily skin is considered a medical condition that is sometimes treated with medicated baths. Certain shampoos target excess oil production. In order to work effectively, these medications need to be in contact with your dogs skin frequently, so you need to bathe him often. On the other hand, if your dog has dry, flaky skin, you may need to bathe him less often.

Topical products and medications

If you use topical flea medications, its recommended that you dont use shampoo too often as it can reduce the effectiveness of the medication. Some of these medications are dependent on the oils in your dogs skin to work, so if you insist on using shampoo every bath, look for one that is labeled non-stripping. Oral flea medications arent impacted by bathing, so if you find your dog needing a bath every few days, you might choose an oral parasite control product.

Your dogs training and tolerance level

Dogs arent born loving baths; they have to be taught. Just like anything else, some dogs love water, and some dogs dont. Be patient when teaching your dog to accept a bath, and if hes afraid, dont force it. Providing some treats in the bathtub can help it feel like a positive experience for your dog.

Can my dog be negatively affected by bathing twice a week?

If you are bathing your dog twice a week, watch for some signs that its affecting your dogs skin oils or his skins pH levels in a negative way. These include:

If your dogs skin gets irritated from too many baths, they often start scratching a lot. A dogs nails can cause tiny scratches on their skin, which can subsequently become infected.

What are the positive effects of bathing your dog twice a week?

If your dog has an allergic skin condition or produces excessive oils, they can definitely benefit from frequent bathing. Bathing your dog regularly can provide a bonding experience for you and your dog. If your dog associates having a bath as a positive experience, he will look forward to it as an opportunity to receive love and attention.

Bath time is also an excellent time for you to conduct a thorough inspection of your dogs coat and skin. Clean fur and skin are essential for your dogs overall health, and his skin is much for visible when hes wet. Youll want to search for changes in their coat and skin, differences in texture, lumps and bumps, missing fur chunks, and the presence of any parasites.

Things to keep in mind when deciding how often to bathe your dog

• If your dog comes in from his days activities and you can smell him, he needs a bath. If he comes in covered in dry mud and dirt, he also needs a bath. Its a good idea to brush out the large chunks of mud and dirt first (ideally outside) and then put him in the water.
• The breed of your dog matters.Some non-shedding breeds will require regular grooming by a professional. Double-coated dogs need extra care when conditioning and combing out their coat.
• Size matters too. If you have a small dog, its easy enough to put them in the bathtub regularly. However, if you have a Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, or another large breed dog, finding a bathing method you can do outside might be more efficient. Dogs do great with outdoor tubs and hoses as long as they are trained accordingly. If you do decide to use a garden hose, make sure the water temperature isnt too cold!

Related Questions

Whats the most extended amount of time my dog should go between baths?

At a minimum, you should bathe your dog at least once every three months. When in doubt, use your judgment about whether your dog needs a bath based on how soiled his coat is and how bad it smells.

Do baths make dogs feel better?

Its common for dogs to have post-bath hyperactivity, also known as the zoomies. The reasons behind this range from relief to happiness, to a desire to alter their new smell. Whatever the cause, know that your dogs hyperactive nature after a bath is a scientifically documented occurrence.

What are some ways to clean my dogs coat between baths?

Some options for freshening your dogs smell between baths include:

• Applying a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water
• Spritzing your dogs coat with lemon water
• Coconut oil
• Dry shampoo (make sure its safe for dogs)
• Baking soda
• Pet-friendly cleaning wipes. Make sure they are specially formulated to be safe for your pet.

Family Dog Expert Author

Hi there! Im Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When Im not writing for SirDoggie, youll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.