How Often Should You Wash a Dog?

There are many different opinions and variants regarding how often you should wash your dog, such as breed, amount of physical activity and environment. According to many professional groomers, when your dog needs a bath, you'll know.

  1. Considerations

    • When it comes to bathing, dogs are a lot like humans; the more he gets into dirt, the more he will need to be washed. Another thing to consider is that some breeds have oilier coats than others, which can cause them to develop an unpleasant smell sooner than other dogs.

    Indications

    • If your dog stinks, feels oily or dirty, or you can see excess amounts of dander, then she needs a bath. If your dog is just shedding a lot, then a good brushing will do. If your dog's face and eyes look dirty, but the rest of his body seems clean, then a simple wipe-down with a wet cloth will suffice.

    Warning

    • According to many groomers, if you bathe your dog too often, it can dry out their skin and strip natural oils from the dog's coat. Only wash the dog if he needs it.

    Theories/Speculation

    • Some people think that because they're animals, dogs never need baths. Others think that dogs are a lot like humans, and they need to bathe every other day. Most groomers think that there is a middle ground for all of this, and that finding it will help improve your dog's health.

    Benefits

    • The most obvious benefit to washing your dog is that she will feel and smell better, making it much more pleasant if she lives indoors with you. Bathing your dog also is beneficial to your dog's health, as it can prevent fleas, help keep mats or stickers out of the coats, and even cleanse harmful bacteria that your dog may have come in contact with.