How often should you wash your dog?

In addition to ensuring proper nutrition and walking, dog owners need to pay close attention to their pet's hygiene. Not only is dog odor very persistent and can linger on clothing and furniture, but also because the animal itself feels much more comfortable if its skin isn't itchy and its coat is clean.

Dogs don't usually react negatively to water; in fact, they enjoy bathing or walking in the rain. Therefore, getting your puppy used to bathing isn't difficult. However, it should be done in accordance with certain recommendations from veterinarians and groomers.

Content

1 What does the frequency of bathing depend on?
- 1.1 Habitat
- 1.2 Breed and lifestyle
2 Shampoos for dogs
3 How to bathe dogs properly

What does the frequency of bathing depend on?

Let's start with the most basic rule: after every walk, your dog's paws should be washed or dried with a damp sponge, followed by a dry towel. In winter, the water should be cool, as large temperature differences can cause cracks in the paw pads.

A simple paw wash will prevent dirty paw prints on floors and furniture, and your pet from developing dermatitis. Many cities today use chemicals to speed up snow melting or to wash streets. If these chemicals remain on the paw pads, they can irritate the skin.

But how often to bathe a dog in a bath or shower, whether to wash it with shampoo or without, depends on many factors: where the animal lives, where it walks, where it sleeps, the length of its fur, and the age of the pet.

Habitat

If your dog lives indoors, it's best to bathe it at least once a month, if not weekly. Some believe that a weekly shower isn't particularly good for its fur, as it can make it a bit drier. This may be true, but it's guaranteed to eliminate unpleasant odors in your apartment. And if your four-legged friend sleeps in your bed, regular bathing is essential, especially in the summer.

Important! Don't overdo it with washing. Animals, like humans, have sebaceous glands in their skin. Frequent bathing with shampoo can disrupt their function, causing insufficient sebum to protect the skin from drying out, and hair loss.

Dogs that live outdoors, in a kennel, or in a crate, only need to be washed every few months, preferably during the warmer months. In winter, animals with light-colored fur can simply be thoroughly brushed with talcum powder or snow.

Breed and lifestyle

It's clear that long-haired breeds require more frequent bathing, while those with a short, coarse undercoat can be bathed less frequently. For example, Pinschers, Dalmatians, and Shelleys only need to be bathed once a month; their coats are highly self-cleaning. However, Bobtails, Yorkies, and Spaniels, with their long, soft, silky coats, require more frequent bathing.

Regardless of breed, every animal has its own personality. If your four-legged friend is calm and dignified on walks and returns home clean, you can bathe them as groomers recommend: once or twice a month, limiting your bath to just washing their paws after a walk. However, if they love running through muddy puddles or rolling around on the ground or grass, bathing them once every two weeks is clearly not enough. In this case, you'll need to shower almost daily, but to avoid damaging their skin and coat, use shampoo sparingly.

Shampoos for dogs

For washing pets, it's recommended to use pet shampoos. As an exception, baby shampoo for gentle care can be used for a one-time treatment, but even this is not suitable for regular use, as animal skin has slightly different properties than human skin. When choosing shampoos, choose colorless, dye-free ones made with natural ingredients.

Today there are dog shampoos for hard and soft, dry and oily skin, facilitating combing, protecting against insects, eliminating dandruff or allergies.

The most popular shampoos for dogs are:

for short-haired breeds - Argan Oil Espree (500 ml costs 1200 rubles), Veda FitoElite (price for a 220 ml bottle is 75 rubles);
for long-haired breeds - 8in1 Tea Tree oil (250 ml - 440 rubles), Doctor Zoo (250 ml - 130 rubles);
for sensitive skin - Herba Vitae (250 ml costs about 80 rubles), Espree Aloe Oat bath Medicated (355 ml bottle costs 480 rubles), 8in1 Sensitive (250 ml bottle costs 400 rubles);
for protection against ticks and fleas - Espree Flea & Tick Oat 9 (price for 600 ml - about 900 rubles), Hartz Rid Flea & Tick (price for a 532 ml bottle - 390 rubles).

How to bathe dogs properly

Long-haired dogs should be brushed before bathing to prevent tangling. It's best to bathe them in a bathtub, placing a rubber mat or large washcloth on the bottom and filling with enough water to cover their legs and lower abdomen. Small dogs can be washed in a basin. The water temperature should be approximately 35-40°C. Cotton balls can be placed in their ears to prevent water from seeping in.

Caution! Pregnant and older dogs, as well as young puppies, are best washed under a warm shower; immersing them in water is not recommended.

Washing a dog consists of three steps: wetting the coat, lathering, and rinsing. After thoroughly wetting all areas of the animal's body, apply diluted shampoo to the coat (this lather mixture can be made in a bowl or an old shampoo bottle). Be especially careful to lather soiled areas. After a few minutes of lathering, rinse the shampoo with plenty of water. Drying the coat with a hairdryer is not necessary; simply pat dry with a soft towel.