How Often Should You Wash Your Dog To Keep It Clean?
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It is true that giving out the exact answer to how often your dog should be bathed is tricky. Different types of dogs have varied lifestyles and health needs – so there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Nevertheless, we have come up with a guideline for you to determine the best dog bath frequency.
Factors To Consider For the Bathing Frequency of Your Dog
A healthy dog with a short, smooth coat having no skin problems need not be bathed frequently. Since, DIY dog baths have come up, so as a dog parent, you are to benefit the most. In fact, bathing your dog twice a month is a good idea.
When you are bathing your dog, then you are checking them for their skin problem signs or lumps likely to indicate a serious health issue. There are rare cases when your dog benefits from regular baths. Take care of these factors when you are to decide whether you should increase your dog’s bathing frequency.
1. The Activity Level of Your Dog
Say you are having a highly-active dog who loves spending quality time outdoors, these pooch friends will have to be bathed more often, especially if their favourite sport is regularly swimming or playing in the dirt. But say they are not prone to messing, still the athletic dogs should be more frequently bathed for controlling their body odour.
2. Their Coat or Skin Type
Generally, the long-haired and curly-haired dog breeds have to be more frequently bathed and groomed to save their coats from matting. These dog types have to be bathed once every four to six weeks and be regularly brushed between baths for maintaining the coat.
On the other hand, the short–haired breeds like Labrador retrievers should be bathed say once a month to ensure they are healthy and good.
But what if the dog is having no hair? The hairless breeds, such as the Chinese crested dogs lacking the skin protection of a coat, have to be given weekly bathing. Dogs tending to have oily skin, such as cocker spaniels and basset hounds benefit from frequent baths to be safe from oil buildup on their skin.
3. Skin Problems and Allergies
There are dogs suffering from allergies and skin conditions. They need regular bathing with medicated shampoo. In these instances, make sure to follow the veterinarian or groomer’s instructions. If your dog is having itchy skin, then a regular bath is sure to give it relief. Bath them using a colloidal oatmeal shampoo.
But dogs not responding well to oral or topical parasite treatments should be regularly bathed for controlling fleas and ticks.
4. Health and Comfort of Pet Owners
Often pet parents benefit better from frequent dog cleaning. Like, when someone is allergic to pet dander, or else the pooch tends to bring in outdoor allergens inside the home, then the pet dogs have to regularly bathe for cleaning the pet’s coat. Then breathing becomes easier. If you allow your pet dog on your bed or sofa, then the first step to cleanliness is bathing it.
Conclusion
Keep in mind, excessive bathing is harmful to your dog. If you bathe your dog too frequently, then they will be stripped of their natural oils which they need to maintain a healthy coat and skin. Prevent them from ending up in a dry, dull coat and itchy skin. If your dogs have to be more frequently bathed, say more than once a month, then make sure to use a moisturizing dog shampoo. Follow up with a moisturizing dog conditioner for replenishing the dog’s natural moisture. As a pet parent, you are always free to follow a veterinarian or groomer. They consider your dog’s breed, health and lifestyle to come up with personalized guidelines for keeping your dog clean and healthy.