You should be bathing your dog regularly. The frequency of baths depends on a number of factors.

Admittedly, I don’t bathe my adventurous, long-furred pooch very often, but after researching for this article, I am going to change his (and my) bathing habits.

There’s a lot of conflicting information out there. My goal is that by the end of this article, you will know how often you should bathe your dog.

Should I Bathe My Dog Regularly?

Yes, you should.

Regular baths get rid of the dirt that’s built up in a dog’s coat, make them smell great, and keep their skin healthy.

“Bathing your dog is more about maintaining a strong defensive shield around their dog than merely enhancing beauty,” says Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM “After all, the skin is your pup’s largest organ and needs to be kept clean and healthy in order to provide a protective barrier to the environment.”

Bathing is a great opportunity to check your pup’s skin. Feel all over for lumps and rough areas. Call your veterinarian if you find anything suspicious.

How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?

How often you should bathe your dog depends on three factors:

1. Coat Type
2. Lifestyle
3. Breed

What Is Your Dog’s Coat Type?

Contrary to what you might think, long fur does not necessarily mean more baths.

In fact, hairless dogs like Chinese Crested and Xolo need weekly baths as part of their routine maintenance.

Dr. Katie Billmaier, DVM, suggests bathing hairless dogs and breeds with oily coats, like Labrador Retrievers and Basset Hounds, quite frequently, about once a week. 

“This helps to protect their skin from absorbing bacteria, pollutants, and toxins that are naturally eliminated when a furrier or hairier dog sheds,” Dr. Billmaier says. “Hairless dogs are prone to pore blockages and dermatological issues such as spots and blackheads if their bathing routine is not consistent and often.”

A general guideline for coat length is as follows:

• Short coats: bathe every one to three months.
• Medium-length coats: bathe from weekly to every 6 weeks.
• Medium to long coats: bathe every 4 to 6 weeks. 
• Double coated: require even less baths.
  • Thick and double-coated breeds, like Huskies, can be bathed every one to three months. These dogs are prone to shedding.

“When a dog sheds, [the coat] naturally rids itself of dead skin cells and bacteria that could be harmful, so it is not necessary to bathe the dog frequently in addition to the natural shedding process,” Dr. Billmaier says.

Some dogs have coats that naturally repel dirt, while others seem to hold on to it, she says.

“Dogs like Poodles and Bichons have soft coats that dirt tends to cling to,” Daryl Conner, Pet stylist, says. “Drop-coated breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, and Lhasa Apsos also tend to collect oil and debris and need frequent bathing to ensure their coats look and smell fresh.”

Does Your Dog (Or You) Have Specific Health Conditions?

Your vet may require your pooch to be bathed more often with a medicated shampoo if they have a condition that requires frequent bathing.

Or, if you’re allergic to your dog, bathing more often may help decrease dander in your house and ease your symptoms.

You may want to look into dander-removing shampoos for your pooch.

What Is Your Dog’s Lifestyle?

Active short haired pooches are typically ok with a towel rub down after activies, not necessarily requiring a bath after every adventure. Although active dogs will probably require more baths than couch potato pooches.

If your dog prefers the indoors to outdoors, you may only need to bathe them a handful of times a year.

Longer furred pooches playing in mud, water, or fields may need more baths depending on whether they are indoor pups or not.

A good rule of thumb: Wash your dog when they are no longer huggable!

Can I Wash My Dog Too Often?

American Kennel Club advises against over-bathing dogs with thick coats, think Labrador Retrievers, or Siberian Huskies because it can strip oil from the skin that aids with naturally insulating dogs.

“If you bathe a certain coat too often, it can affect the overall coat quality and strip their natural oils, which can cause irritation,” Dr. Andrea Caspary, DVM says.

If you notice that your dog’s skin is dry or irritated, and you bathe your dog often, opt for fewer baths in the future. It’s best to follow the advice above related to your dog’s lifestyle, coat, and skin condition, and then, use a quality shampoo made for dogs as well as a light conditioner to replace natural oils that the shampoo may remove.

And never use a shampoo made for humans on your pup!

“If you bathe your dog with human shampoo, you risk drying their skin out, affecting its protective abilities and potentially causing dermatological issues,” Dr. Ward says.

In summary, bathing your dog too often can strip their natural oils, which they need for a healthy coat and skin. If you bathe more than once every month, ensure you are using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner so your dog’s natural oils can be replenished.

What If I Don’t Bathe My Dog?

Not bathing your dog can lead to several problems, including skin irritation, bad odor, and even infection.

So if you’re not already bathing your dog regularly, it’s time to start!

How Often Should I Bathe My Puppy?

Puppies should not be bathed until around eight weeks old.

Older dogs’ body temperature self-regulates, but young puppies don’t have that ability yet.

A puppy less than eight weeks old might get overheated or too cold during the bathing process.

Prior to them being old enough to bathe, try wiping them down with a warm, wet cloth when needed.

How Do I Keep My Dog’s Fur Clean Between Washes?

There are a couple of ways to keep your dog’s fur fresh between washes.

Brushing

No matter how often you bathe your dog, they all benefit from regular brushing, says Miguel Garcia, Chief Groomer at Central Bark.

“All dogs benefit from regular brushing to remove loose hairs and dead skin cells,” says Garcia.

Brushing also keeps coats free of dirt, debris, and external parasites as well as distributes natural skin oils across all the hair follicles.

“Invest in a quality dog brush to match your dog’s coat characteristics and use it once or twice a day and after outdoor activities,” adds Dr. Ward. “Long-haired breeds require more attention while short or rough-coated dogs generally only need light brushing.”

Bathe Without Water

You can use wipes or dry shampoo for dogs between baths to help keep your dog clean.

What Type Of Shampoo Should I Bathe My Dog With?

Shampoo is an integral part of keeping your dog clean and healthy. 

Generally speaking, there are two types of dog shampoo: medicated and non-medicated. 

Medicated shampoos are designed to treat specific skin conditions, such as allergies or infections. If your dog has a known skin condition, your veterinarian can help you choose the right medicated shampoo. 

Non-medicated shampoos, on the other hand, are meant for general cleaning and can be used on all dogs.

If you’re unsure which type of shampoo to use, try a few different brands and see what works best for your dog. And always consult with your vet before using any new products on your pooch.

What Next?

Whether short-furred, long-furred, active, or inactive, every dog needs to be bathed regularly. The frequency of the baths differs depending on coat type, lifestyle, and breed of your pooch. 

Bath time can be a great bonding experience with your dog. Try to make it positive and enjoy quality time with your pooch!

Here are even more pawesome dog care tips!