How Can I Tell if My Dog Needs a Bath?

For many people who own a dog, it can be easy to have the pet by your side throughout the day while spending time at home or outdoors. Due to how much time is spent together, it can often be easy to get accustomed to their scent and smell over time. If you want to know how to determine when your four-legged friend needs a bath throughout the year, there are a few common signs to look for to ensure they get groomed at the appropriate time.

Marking your calendar is a great way of determining when it’s time to give your pet a bath during the year. Most experts recommend washing an average dog every three months, but the animals can still be washed every other week. If you plan to wash your pet on a frequent basis, opt for using a sensitive dog shampoo that doesn’t dry out their skin or cause irritation.

Multiple factors influence how often dogs need to be washed. Dogs that play outside each day or are prone to getting in the mud likely need to be bathed more often compared to indoor pets that lounge around on the couch a lot. Their breed, skin, and fur type are additional factors that influence how much they need to be washed. Dogs that have thick undercoats require more frequent washing compared to dogs with short hair and sensitive skin. Washing with a soap-free or moisturizing shampoo or human baby shampoo will also prove to be effective and safe on their coat. If you prefer to bathe the dog more than once a month, you’ll need to use a waterless dog shampoo to reduce the risk of dry skin.

Dogs with medical conditions or skin issues may need to be washed with medical shampoo to alleviate their itchy skin while following the vet’s advice with using the product. Pets with oily coats may need to be washed up to once each week to ensure that their fur can remain healthy. Pups that naturally have double coats, like Chow Chows and Alaskan Malamutes, don’t require as much grooming as long as their coats are brushed each week.

Pets with short hair like Dalmatians and Weimaraners also require less washing because they’re able to regulate their natural oils without as much help.

Regularly grooming your pet throughout the week is also necessary to prevent them from smelling by brushing them each day, which distributes oil throughout their coat for a glossy, healthy appearance. Grooming dog wipes can also be used for their paws or fur if they happen to get into any dirt while playing or going on a walk.