How Often Should a Dog Get a Bath?

For most dogs, a bath once a month is usually sufficient. There are exceptions to this, of course. Some breeds need more frequent bathing. Also, medical conditions such as skin allergies or mange often require treatment with special shampoos, which means a dog may have to be bathed more frequently than usual for a while.

How often dogs should be bathed depends on the type of bath. Baths can be for general purposes to remove dirt and mud, to maintain coat and skin health, to remove allergens from fur, or to apply medicated shampoos for allergies or diseases, such as mange.

Unless your mixed-breed dog has been rolling in mud (or worse), or is an oily-skinned mixed breed, a monthly bath for general hygiene should be sufficient. Breeds with oily ski, like bassets, often need baths every two weeks, or even every week, in some cases. Other breeds---for instance, West Highland terriers---should not normally be bathed (with water) at all. For this type breed, brushing and an occasional dry bath (with dry shampoos brushed through the fur) is sufficient. Dog's with skin allergies may benefit from more frequent baths in the warmer months---they should be bathed at least once a week to remove allergens clinging to fur. Use hypoallergenic dog shampoo or a special allergy shampoo recommended by your veterinarian

Use shampoo intended for dogs only---never use shampoo intended for humans. Dogs' skin may be irritated by scent additives and ingredients in human's shampoo. One towel for the floor and one or two for drying the dog should be enough. For medium-haired or long-haired breeds, consider investing in a good hair dryer for dogs; these are sold at some pet supply stores and online. Hair dryers for people are usually too hot for dogs' skin, even on the low setting. Use warm water (not hot) on your dog to give her the most pleasant (and efficient) bath experience. Cold water doesn't rinse out shampoo as well and will feel unpleasant to your dog.

General cleansing baths are necessary if the dog gets exceptionally dirty outdoors or is a breed that has exceptionally oily skin. Most dogs, under normal conditions, otherwise won't need to be bathed more than once a month. If your dog belongs to a specific breed, For instance breeds with smooth, short coats, or special-care coats, like Westies, baths with shampoo and water should be infrequent, if they occur at all.

Brush your dog thoroughly before bathing. This will get rid of loose fur and will make it easier for the shampoo to reach the skin. Get your dog accustomed to baths early in life, if possible. Most dogs enjoy baths if they've been exposed to bathing as puppies. Bathing your dog too frequently may cause her to have dry skin and a poor coat, so don't overdo it. You can extend time between baths by using a dry shampoo on your dog. These are simply brushed into the fur and do not require water.