Dogs are naturally playful so expect yours to roll in the mud, run in the grass, and jump into water puddles all the time.
That said; you also want to note that this is good for them as it helps release their pent-up energy.
After all that, you then have to think of washing your dog not only for their hygiene but because you also get to check them for injuries and parasites.
So, how often should you shampoo your dog? Well, this will depend on several factors that we are about to get into below.
Dog’s Level of Activity
Dogs are generally active but some are more active than others are. Therefore, if yours spends most of their time outdoors playing, they will need regular baths.
This will help eliminate dirt from their coat as well as control unpleasant odors.
Skin or Coat Type
Your dog could be having long or short hair, straight or curly and this is going to determine how often you should wash them.
For instance, curly and long-haired dogs require more frequent bathing than their straight or short-haired counterparts do because their coats are more likely to hide dirt and form mats.
Skin Issues and Allergies
Some dogs have skin conditions or suffer from allergies that may necessitate more frequent bathing with medicated shampoo. It’s quite common so worry not if you have been facing this challenge lately.
If your dog is under this category, it would be best to adhere to instructions given by a professional groomer or veterinarian. Your pooch may also need to bathe more often for relief if they have itchy skin.
Your Comfort and Health
As a dog parent, you also need to think about your well-being while living with your pooch. If you are allergic to pet hair, you may need to wash them frequently to reduce shedding and ultimately inhalation of the hair.
It is also not a good look to have pet hair flying all over your space so that may be another reason why you bathe your pooch frequently.
Dog Bathing Tips
Bathing your pooch is not just about applying shampoo and rinsing it out with water. Here are some tips to help you do it correctly.
Brush First
Most dog owners overlook this step but it is extremely important. You want to run a brush through your dog hair before wetting it to eliminate dead hair and detangle it.
If you skip this step, you are likely to end up with a fussy dog and hard-to-detangle hair.
Get the Right Shampoo and Other Tools
Perhaps your dog has sensitive skin or not but either way, it is important to pick a shampoo made for dogs as it is made with their needs in mind.
In case you run out of dog shampoo, you can use baby shampoo because it is mild and will not sting your dog’s eyes.
Note that regular shampoo will dry out your dog’s skin and you do not want that. It is also important to pick a dog shampoo made for removing dander, as it will help eliminate the same from your dog’s coat.
Pick the right tools as well such as a brush that will not injure them.
Choose a Bathing Spot
Most dogs get anxious when it comes to bathing time. Fortunately, you can do a few things to keep them calm and reduce their anxiety.
One of the best ways to do that is by picking a spot that your pooch seems to like and make it their bathing place. This will make them associate bathing with good things and ease their fears.
Mind the Water Temperature
Is it advisable to bathe your pooch in cold water? This depends on whether they like it or not but ideally, you want to use lukewarm water.
Stay away from hot water as it can scald your dog. Using the right temperature as far as bathing water also plays a huge role when it comes to your pooch enjoying bath time.
Always Blow Dry or Use a Towel after Washing
Once you are done cleaning your dog, they will naturally shake to eliminate excess water. Besides, they are likely to shiver after the bath.
In that regard, you want to blow dry or use a towel to absorb the excess water from their hair and help their skin retain heat.
Make It Exciting
We had already mentioned that dogs tend to be anxious when it comes to bathing. As such, you want to make the experience as fun and as interesting as possible.
Remember that bathing your pooch gives you a chance to bond with them. Introduce them to water gradually and be as gentle as possible while cleaning them.
It may also help to incorporate a few games into the session and praise them whenever they agree to a bath. This will make them look forward to bathing times.
Final Thoughts
At this point, you are probably wondering if there is such a thing as too much washing when it comes to your pet and our answer to that would be a resounding yes!
You see, most dog owners assume that cleaning their furry friends all the time is a good thing but doing that is not advisable. By bathing your dog excessively, you strip their skin of its natural oils and aggravate it as well. This could then lead to itchy and dry skin.
Ideally, you should clean your pooch once every two weeks if they are very active or once a month if they are more of the sedentary type.
If you have to do it more often than that, ensure that the shampoo you use is moisturizing and follow up with a dog conditioner to replenish moisture to your dog’s skin.
