How often should I bathe my itchy dog
How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
Many pet parents find themselves asking questions after adopting a new pup, including how often they should bathe their dog. The answer can be tricky since it depends on the dog and other factors.
There are no hard and fast rules for bathingbut how often will depend on many things, including the breed of dog, their coat type, lifestyles, and the time of year.
Key Takeaways
- Your pups breed will be a major determining factor when it comes to how often they need full baths.
- Products matterespecially if your dog is managing a health or skin condition. Always work with your veterinarian.
- Dog odor tends to be more obvious in the summer versus the winter months.
How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
Bathing and grooming are two related but different things. All dogs need regular grooming. This includes trimming their toenails, brushing their coat out, using de-shedding tools for dogs with thicker coats, and cleaning their ears and folds of their skin.
Some dogs will need more frequent grooming than others. However, most dogs will benefit from a weekly once over to shorten their nails, clean their ears, and take care of small snags and tangles in their fur. A full bathincluding a wet down, shampoo, and rinse varies. Bathing too frequently can lead to dry coats and skin problems, while not enough bathing can lead to health problems and a stinky pup. The happy medium may range from bathing your dog once a week to only a few times a year.
Dog Breed and Dog Coat Type
Your dogs breed will be a huge determining factor for how often to bathe them, and how much work this process entails. It isnt as simple as fur length, as hairless dogs like the Xoloitzcuintli need quite a bit of coat care even though they dont have much fur. Other dogs, such as the Puli, have super long coats. They surprisingly need little careespecially after their coats have been corded. Double-coated dogs like Labradorsoften need more de-shedding work than they do bathing, and long-haired pups like Collies tend to get more tangles and mats which require regular care.
As a rule, the larger the dog and the longer the coat, the more effort will be needed to keep things under control, although this may not mean bathing, but more general grooming and coat care. Be sure to research the breed (or mix of breeds) to find out its needs before adopting. As a responsible pet parent, you need to know what to expect.
Health Conditions
If your pup has any health conditionsparticularly those that affect the skinyour veterinarian will likely have additional guidelines to consider when developing a bathing schedule. Be mindful that medicated shampoos may be necessary to treat some skin conditions, and that these dogs may need to be bathed either more or less frequently than the general breed recommendations.
Using the wrong product on a dog with unhealthy skin could make matters worse, so if you are noting any changes in your pets skin, be sure to check it out with your veterinarian before opting for a product.
Seasonality
The time of year will also affect how often to bathe and what products to use. During the warm, wet months of the year, many dogs are prone to greasy coats and doggy odor.Skin allergies will also be more in focus, with scratches and sores developing. Parasites such as fleas and ticks are also more common, further irritating the skin. This means that more frequent bathsoften with medicated productsare necessary.
Dogs that swim in the warmer months may not need as many baths but will need a good rise in clean water post swim. During the winter, dogs typically arent as dirty, but are more prone to dry skin which can be itchy and irritating, so a moisturizing shampoo is necessary. The level of bathing will depend on the amount of dirt and grime on your pooch.
Age and Lifestyle
Puppies and young adults tend to be experts when it comes to finding ways to get dirty. As a result, these dogs often need more baths.
As dogs age, they tend to become more inactive. Some dogs prefer to stay indoors rather than play outside. Senior pups typically do not need as much bathingusually just enough to keep any body odor at bay. You can also invest in some grooming wipes to keep them smelling fresh between baths.
Senior dogs also have restricted activity and may have trouble keeping themselves clean. They may require more intensive grooming, as they may not be able to do it on their own. Some of these pups may start to show health issues, such as urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence can cause dogs to easily soil their coat. If they are managing health conditions, daily wipes and spot cleaning may be necessary.
How Often Should You Brush Your Dog?
Brushing should be done daily for long-coated breeds and at least weekly for dogs with a short coat. Brushing goes a long way to keep fur and underlying skin healthy. Dogs with thick coats will need to have the undercoat pulled out with de-shedding tools, while dogs prone to tangles will need careful dematting.
Most mixed-breed dogs will benefit from brushing a few times a week. When in doubt, brush it out.
Dog Bathing Products to Have on Hand
Before stocking up on bathing supplies, chat with your veterinarian to be sure they are right for your pooch.
Some great products to keep on hand include:
Professional Grooming Considerations
Many pet parents take their pups regularly to have a groomer do all the heavy hitting. If you prefer a particular haircut for your pup, or its time to do a seasonal shave down, these tasks are often best left to a groomer. If you notice your dog has tight knots or has rolled in something sticky like bubblegum, groomers have special tools to deal with the situation safely.
Whether you want to groom your dog or have a professional take care of them, good coat care is not only cosmetic, but also critical to the health of your pup.
Featured Image: iStock.com/Su Arslanoglu
WRITTEN BY
Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVPVeterinarian
Sandra Mitchell is a 1995 graduate of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine.Since graduation, she has worked in many fields...
How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
For a lot of new dog owners, it can be difficult to determine how often you should bathe your puppy or adult dog. The truth is, the answer depends on a lot of factors.
How frequently a pet needs a bath greatly varies based upon their breed, lifestyle, length of coat, and how much homework a pet owner is willing to do, says Beth Cristiano, owner of Pretty Paws LLC, headquartered in Harrison, N.Y.
Whats Your Dogs Coat Type?
The type of coat your dog has is a big factor in how often they require baths. However, its not as simple as the shorter the hair, the less bathing required. Hairless breeds, such as the Chinese Crested and the Xoloitzcuintli, are actually quite care-intensive, according to Cristiano, who says these breeds require weekly baths.
At the other end of the spectrum are the long-coated breeds, such as the Maltese and the Collie. Obviously, the more hair a dog has, the more work is involved, including the frequency of the bath, says JorgeBendersky, a celebrity doggroomer, pet expert, and best-selling author of DIY DogGrooming, From Puppy Cuts to Best in Show: Everything You Need to Know. He adds, For dogs with medium-to-large coats, a bath could be needed from weekly to every four to six weeks, as long as the coat is properly maintained in-between baths.
But a breed such as the Puli, which is technically long-haired, is not bathed as often when corded. According to the Puli Club of America, the Puli doesnt develop that typical doggie odor, and really, a Puli probably doesnt require as many baths as most other breeds.
So, what about dogs that fall somewhere in the middle? Thick or double coats on breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, etc., naturally insulate the dogs seasonally, explains Monica Handy ofWoofiesMobile Pet Spa. Overbathing could strip too much oil from the skin and disrupt this process. Using a product specifically for shedding will help avoid this.
Does Your Dog Have Specific Health Conditions?
If your dog suffers from certain health conditions, your groomer and/or veterinarian may suggest that you use medicated shampoo while bathing your dog. Even if your canine companion is healthy, a grooming regimen usingproducts like de-shedding tools and brushes helps keep them that way. All pets benefit from monthly ear cleaning and nail trimming, Cristiano comments. Thorough coat-brushing and combing and conditioning are more integral to the pets health than bathtime.
Then, theres the health of the owner. Sometimes the bath is for the humans comfort, not the pets, Cristiano continues. For owners who suffer from allergies, theyll typically react to their pets dander, which can be managed with a weekly bathing routine. A dander-removing shampoo may also help manage human allergies.
Whats Your Dogs Lifestyle?
Bendersky notes that an active lifestyle may be easier with a short-coated breed, given that keeping the dog clean in-between baths typically requires less effort. You can get away with giving short-haired dogs a good rubdown with a damp washcloth to remove the dirt that was picked up during a busy visit to the dog park, he says.
Of course, dogs that are playing in oceans, hunting in muddy waters, or herding sheep all day may end up needing more baths than pups that spend most of their time indoors regardless of the breed.
At the end of the day, Bendersky offers this advice: We should wash our dogs when they are no longer huggable.
How to Make an Oatmeal Bath for Dogs With Itchy Skin
Many dogs will experience dry skin, itchy skin, or some type of skin issue at one time or another, whether its due to a change in weather or allergies.
When your pup is feeling itchy or their skin is irritated, its natural to want to help them. One at-home remedy for itchy skin that can help your dog feel better is an oatmeal bath.
More consistent itching or hot spots will need a veterinarians expertise, but if your dog only has minor itching or you notice some flaking in his coat, an oatmeal bath is a convenient and inexpensive home remedy.
Heres everything you need to know about oatmeal baths for dogs.
Benefits of Oatmeal Baths for Dogs
Whats so magical about an oatmeal bath? Oatmeal is a skin protectant with anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe itchy and irritated skin.
Oatmeal baths can help relieve a number of bothersome skin conditions, such as canine atopic dermatitis.
Oatmeal baths also help the skin form a protective barrier that keeps moisture in and slows the loss of hydrating ingredients from your dogs skin.
Dog Oatmeal Bath Ingredients
This at-home remedy is so simple that you may have all the ingredients in your kitchen pantry already.
Blender, coffee grinder, or food processor
Plain, unflavored oatmeal (instant oatmeal, quick oats, or slow-cooking oats all work equally well)
Warm waterbut not hot, as hot water can dry out the skin and can worsen inflammation
A bathtub
You can add either of these options to increase the moisturizing properties of your homemade oatmeal bath:
- 1 cup of high-fat milkfor an extra-creamy mixture
OR
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil or olive oil
Dog Oatmeal Bath Recipe:
Now that you have your ingredients, heres the recipe for the perfect oatmeal bath shampoo.
Blend or process the oats on the highest setting in your food processor, blender, or coffee grinder until you have a very fine, consistent powder.
Test 1 tablespoon of the powder to see if the oats are ground fine enough to absorb water. Stir the tablespoon of the ground oats into a glass of warm water.
If the oats easily absorb the water and the liquid becomes milky-looking with a smooth feel, you've blended long enough.
If the liquid doesn't turn milky, process the oats to grind them even finer. Test again. Repeat until you get a milky solution with a fine, silky feel.
How to Give a Dog an Oatmeal Bath
Once your oat powder is prepared, you are ready to give your dog a bath.
While bathing your dog, try to keep your pup from drinking the bathwater, although a lap or two of the solution will not be harmful.
Pour the oat powder into a tub of running warm water and stir evenly.
Fill the tub as much as your pup will allow. Most dogs will tolerate the water level to at least the bottom of their stomach, if not higher.
Put your pup in the tub.
Using a cup, slowly pour the solution over their body. You can gently rub some of the oatmeal directly onto any particularly bad areas.
After you have massaged the oatmeal into your dogs skin and fur and let him soak for 10 minutes, rinse the mixture off with warm water.
Use a towel to dry your dog off and brush out their fur. Never use a hot hair dryer on a dog. Your pup will be slippery due to the moisture of the bath.
Oatmeal Bath for Dogs: Spot Treatments
If your dog has a localized itch or minor skin rash, it isnt necessary to do a full-body oatmeal bath and soak.
You can apply a thicker paste directly to the affected area and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
Use the same blended oatmeal recipe, but only mix in enough water to form a thick paste.
While oatmeal baths are not a cure all for skin conditions and diseases that dogs can get, they can be a great addition to your dogs grooming routine, especially during drier winter months.
If your dog is suffering from fleas, yeast or bacterial skin infections, or another problem such as an endocrine imbalance, they will need prompt treatment from your veterinarian.
By: Laci Schaible, DVM, CVJ
Featured Image: iStock.com/Wojciech Kozielczyk
