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Dogs aren’t like humans \u2014 they don’t need a bath every day. So it’s natural for pet owners to wonder: “How often should I bathe my dog?”, “Can I use human body wash on my dog?”, or “What do I do if my dog hates baths?” Some dogs may start to smell after just three days without a wash, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should be bathing them every three days. How often your dog needs a bath depends on factors like the season, their age, and how often they go outside. If you’ve been struggling with bath time, read on \u2014 we’ll walk you through the full step-by-step process and answer all your common questions, so your dog can have a shiny, fresh-smelling coat!<\/p>\n
Dogs’ skin naturally produces oils that protect their coat, so bathing too frequently can actually weaken that protective layer. When deciding how often to bathe your dog, keep these three points in mind:<\/p>\n
For a dog with healthy skin, once every 1\u20132 weeks is generally fine in summer. In winter, when the weather is cooler and more humid, bathing too often can cause your dog to catch a chill, so once every 2 weeks to once a month is a better range. If your dog hasn’t gotten dirty and doesn’t have any unusual odor, you don’t necessarily need to bathe them at all. That said, if your dog tends to get oily or smells strong, aim for at least once a week to keep their skin healthy.<\/p>\n
Newborn puppies that haven’t yet received their vaccinations tend to have weaker immune systems, so it’s best to hold off on baths until after they’ve been vaccinated. Limiting outdoor trips also helps keep their coat clean. As a general rule, wait until your puppy is 2\u20133 months old and has had their vaccines for at least a week before starting regular baths. For adult dogs, bathing frequency can be based on how often they go outside. If your dog only goes out 2\u20133 times a month, once-a-month baths are plenty \u2014 just brush their coat regularly in between to remove dust and dirt. For dogs that go out frequently, bathing once every 1\u20132 weeks is more appropriate.<\/p>\n
If your dog has a skin condition such as seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, or skin allergies, follow your vet’s recommended bathing schedule. In the meantime, you can use a damp cloth with clean water to gently wipe their ears, paws, and body daily to help reduce odor.<\/p>\n
Generally speaking, bathing isn’t recommended when a dog’s immune system is compromised. This includes puppies that haven’t been vaccinated yet, elderly dogs in poor health, dogs with heart conditions that are easily stressed, and mother dogs that have just given birth. Keep in mind that bathing with shampoo isn’t the only way to keep your dog clean \u2014 wiping them down with a damp towel or using a dry shampoo product are great alternatives that can still keep them fresh and tidy.<\/p>\n
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Want to make sure your dog actually gets clean? Just follow these five steps:<\/p>\n
Dogs love rolling around on the floor, which means their fur can easily get matted and dusty. Before bath time, use a pet brush to work through any tangles \u2014 this makes the washing process smoother and prevents uncomfortable pulling on your dog’s skin.<\/p>\n
The ideal water temperature for bathing a dog is around 35\u201338\u00b0C \u2014 just slightly warm to the touch. When wetting your dog down, use a gentle, low-pressure stream and start from the paws, then move to the body, and finish with the face. This gives your dog time to gradually get used to being wet. If your dog tends to squirm a lot, try wrapping them in a towel first and letting the water soak through \u2014 it can help ease them into the experience. Be patient and reassuring, and be careful not to get water in their eyes or ears!<\/p>\n
Once your dog is fully wet, apply an appropriate amount of pet shampoo to their back and work up a lather. Then wash in this order: neck, chest, waist, rear, tail, and legs. Pay extra attention to the paws if your dog goes on walks regularly \u2014 dirt can easily get stuck in the crevices, so make sure to clean those thoroughly. Finish up with the head and face. If you’re worried about accidentally scratching your dog with your nails, try using a bath glove instead.<\/p>\n
After scrubbing, rinse your dog with warm water using the same gentle technique as in step 2 \u2014 make sure all the shampoo is completely washed out. For drying, use a highly absorbent towel and pat in both the direction of the fur and against it to remove as much moisture as possible. Keep your movements gentle and avoid rubbing too vigorously.<\/p>\n
Finish by using a blow dryer to get your dog fully dry. Keep the dryer at a safe temperature and hold it at least 30 cm away to avoid overheating. Once you’re done, give your dog a treat as a reward \u2014 this helps them associate bath time with something fun and tasty, so they’ll be less likely to dread it next time!<\/p>\n
Want to help your dog warm up to baths at home? Keep these details in mind:<\/p>\n
A dog’s skin differs from human skin in pH level, epidermal thickness, and cell turnover rate \u2014 which means human skincare products simply aren’t suitable for them. In terms of pH alone, human skin is mildly acidic (around pH 4.5\u20136.5), while dog skin is mildly alkaline<\/a> (around pH 5.5\u20137.2). Using human body wash on dogs long-term can lead to unstable skin conditions, dryness, and itchiness. For your dog’s sake, always use a shampoo formulated specifically for pets.<\/p>\n If your dog absolutely refuses to cooperate at bath time \u2014 running away the moment they hear the word “bath” and turning every wash into a wrestling match \u2014 don’t give up. Here are three things you can try:<\/p>\n Now that you know how often to bathe your dog and how to do it properly, we hope bath time feels a little less daunting. But if bridging the gap between you and your pup is still a challenge, or you’re worried about accidentally hurting them \u2014 and you’re tired of every bath feeling like a battle \u2014 leave it to the professionals! Download the Fluv app now<\/a> and book a certified pet groomer for an in-home service<\/a> that leaves your dog clean, happy, and smelling great!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Further reading:<\/p>\nWhat to do if your dog hates baths? Try these 3 approaches<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Is bathing your dog too much work? Book a professional in-home grooming visit with Fluv!<\/strong><\/h2>\n