Dirty dog

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU BATHE YOUR POOCH?

TEXT: SARAH WANLESS

As is the case with most things related to our furry friends, there is, unfortunately, no hard and fast rule about how often they need to be bathed. While most of us shower daily, it isn’t the same for dogs and bathing them too often can be more harmful than helpful. But don’t despair; here at DQ we pride ourselves on finding the information you need to keep your BFF happy, healthy and huggable.

BATH TIME TIPS

1. If your dog is anxious and hates baths, an anxiolytic like CBD oil prior to bath time may help make the process a lot less stressful for your pooch.

2. It is important to use the right products. At DQ, we recommend a dog-specific shampoo that is hypo-allergenic and all natural to keep the skin (and eyes) happy and healthy!

3. If you are going to use your bath or shower for bathing your dog, having a sticky/rubber bath mat is important to help your dog feel safe and secure during the bath.

4. Make sure you brush your dog before you bathe them. This helps remove any tangles and excess hair before you start.

5. Be prepared. Bathing your dog can be a messy process, so make sure you have everything you need (shampoo, jug for rinsing, towel, and treats) ready before you start.

6. Having a lick-mat with some dog-friendly peanut butter stuck to the wall will help keep your pet still and distracted during the bathing process. NOTE: The act of licking is a naturally calming behaviour and should help your dog feel less stressed.

7. Temperature matters - think of a nice lukewarm temperature that would be suitable for a baby or toddler.

8. Wash from the bottom and rinse from the top. Starting at the bottom, wash the paws, legs and tummy first. This allows you to focus mainly on the dirtier areas, prevents soap from running into the eyes and ears, and reduces the chance of a shake occurring. Rinse from the head downwards until the water runs clear. This helps to ensure that the water runs away from the more sensitive areas.

9. Towel dry your pooch, especially if it’s chilly. Covering your dog with a towel immediately after bath time means less water all over your bathroom and a quicker drying time.

10. Try and make bathing a fun and enjoyable experience for your dog. As it is a necessity, it is ideal if your dog can enjoy the process.

Take it slow in the beginning and praise your dog throughout. Ideally, it should be a bonding experience for both of you!

DETERMINING FREQUENCY

For all dogs, whether they be indoor sofa pups or outdoor working dogs, it is important to have a regular grooming and hygiene regime. This is important for managing their general hygiene and skin health, but it also gives you a chance to give your dog a once-over and check for unwanted parasites and any lumps and bumps. The ‘standard rule’ is that you should wash your dog every three months, which is a pretty safe bet for the standard dog. However, there are several factors to consider when deciding when to wash your pooch. These include activity level, coat type and length and health conditions.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

It stands to reason that an indoor dog that is limited to on-leash walks will require less frequent baths than your off-leash explorer who prefers to spend their time digging, swimming or rolling in something deliciously stinky. While it is recommended that you select a dog with a shorter to medium-length coat if you plan to be outdoors a lot, there is no reason you can’t have a longer haired breed (think Border Collie) and still live the outdoorsy lifestyle; it just means more frequent baths.

COAT TYPE AND LENGTH

Coat type and length are crucial components in determining when you bathe your dog. As you may have guessed, longer-haired breeds will require more frequent baths due to the coat’s ability to hold dirt. For this reason, it is recommended that dogs with longer and curlier coats be bathed every four to six weeks. Generally, shorter coats are less maintenance, and you can often get away with wiping down the coat with a damp towel and just adding in a bath every three months. It is also important to note whether or not your furry friend has a double coat. The base coat of a double coat plays a vital role in temperature control, and bathing them too often can disrupt the oil production, which interferes with this process and can cause skin problems. In these cases, bathing very frequently is a definite no-no.

HEALTH CONDITIONS

Finally, health conditions also play a role in bathing frequency. There will be certain instances where, medically, your dog will need to be bathed more frequently, such as in the case of certain skin conditions or allergies. This recommendation will most likely come from your vet and will probably involve the use of a medicated or prescribed shampoo. In this instance, it is important to listen to your vet’s recommendation and bath your dog as frequently as stipulated.

TOP TIP

Advice from celebrity dog groomer and author Jorge Bendersky “We should wash our dogs when they are no longer huggable!”

REFERENCES

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-often-should-youwash-your-dog/ https://www.caninejournal.com/how-often-to-bathe-a-dog/ https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/blog/how-to-bathe-a-dog/