Most people bathe every day or every other day... For us two-legged friends, a single bath a year is simply not enough. But how often should our dogs actually be washed with soap and water?
It varies greatly depending on breed and personality how happy our dogs are with water and especially with being bathed.
The answer is of course not simple... Some dog owners wash their dogs regularly, while others only bathe them if they have rolled in dirt or smell bad.
Breeds and needs
If you want to wash your dog regularly, a rule of thumb is to do it once a month. It has previously been believed that you should not wash your dog too often because it removes the natural oil layer from the coat.
But some breeds can really benefit from being helped to get rid of too oily fur. This can be the case with Basset Hounds, for example. Dogs with short fur (e.g. beagles) or with water-repellent fur (Golden Retrievers) do not need a bath as often. Dogs with thick fur do better by being brushed and having dirt and loose hairs combed away.
Read also about: Balder's first swimming lesson
Health or beauty?
There may be various reasons why you wash your dog more often. As mentioned above, it may simply depend on the breed. But it can also be good for health reasons. For example, dogs with allergies benefit from being washed with a good and mild dog shampoo to wash the allergens out of the coat. This can also prevent irritated skin and dry coat. Dogs with allergies can be bathed 1-4 times a month as needed.
Some dogs also just want to look good, and may be easier to maintain in terms of brushing their fur free of tangles.
If you are a frequent exhibitor, it goes without saying that it may be necessary to bathe your dog at regular intervals so that the coat is clean and shiny and the dog looks its best.
How do I bathe the dog?
- Brush your dog – this will get rid of tangles, dead skin cells and loose fur
- Use lukewarm water (if necessary, place a non-slip mat as a base)
- Praise, praise, praise :-)
- You can fill a sink or bathtub so that it reaches the dog's knees or you can shower the dog.
- Gently massage (dog) shampoo all over the body – remember to never use regular shampoo
- Use a sponge or cloth for your head and avoid getting shampoo in your eyes (we know it stings). Also avoid getting water in your ears.
- Rinse…..thoroughly. Of course, all the shampoo must be removed from the coat so that the dog does not itch.
- Dry the dog with towels. If your dog is really fancy, there are actually bathrobes for dogs too.
The most important thing if you want to bathe your dog more often is to make it feel safe.
No stress or scolding. Only words of praise and a positive attitude.
You know your dog best and will surely find a method that can make the bath tolerable for the dog if your dog is not super fond of water.
How often should dogs be bathed?
Most people bathe every day or every other day... For us two-legged friends, a single bath a year is simply not enough. But how often should our dogs actually be washed with soap and water?
It varies greatly depending on breed and personality how happy our dogs are with water and especially with being bathed.
The answer is of course not simple... Some dog owners wash their dogs regularly, while others only bathe them if they have rolled in dirt or smell bad.
Breeds and needs
If you want to wash your dog regularly, a rule of thumb is to do it once a month. It has previously been believed that you should not wash your dog too often because it removes the natural oil layer from the coat.
But some breeds can really benefit from being helped to get rid of too oily fur. This can be the case with Basset Hounds, for example. Dogs with short fur (e.g. beagles) or with water-repellent fur (Golden Retrievers) do not need a bath as often. Dogs with thick fur do better by being brushed and having dirt and loose hairs combed away.
Read also about: Balder's first swimming lesson
Health or beauty?
There may be various reasons why you wash your dog more often. As mentioned above, it may simply depend on the breed. But it can also be good for health reasons. For example, dogs with allergies benefit from being washed with a good and mild dog shampoo to wash the allergens out of the coat. This can also prevent irritated skin and dry coat. Dogs with allergies can be bathed 1-4 times a month as needed.
Some dogs also just want to look good, and may be easier to maintain in terms of brushing their fur free of tangles.
If you are a frequent exhibitor, it goes without saying that it may be necessary to bathe your dog at regular intervals so that the coat is clean and shiny and the dog looks its best.
How do I bathe the dog?
The most important thing if you want to bathe your dog more often is to make it feel safe.
No stress or scolding. Only words of praise and a positive attitude.
You know your dog best and will surely find a method that can make the bath tolerable for the dog if your dog is not super fond of water.