How often should you wash a dog with skin problems
How often should you really wash your dog?
Whether your pooch loves her weekly wash or trembles at the sight of water, as a dog owner you've probably wondered how often you should be washing your pet.
The answer is: probably less than you think although some forms of grooming do have great benefits for your pet.
If you have a regular, healthy dog without a skin condition, "you actually don't have to wash your dog ever," says Samantha Crothers, a Melbourne-based vet at a specialist centre.
Robert Hilton, a veterinarian who practises in the field of veterinary dermatology, agrees.
"In general, healthy dogs only need to be bathed if they smell. There's no reason particularly to bath a healthy dog, unless they're dirty," Dr Hilton says.
Keep in mind that in the wild, feral dogs generally don't bathe (and they definitely don't use shampoo).
So when we wash our dogs, it's mostly because we want to keep them from muddying up our homes, particularly after they roll around in the dirt, says Dr Crothers.
"Or some dogs develop a doggy smell and people want to remove that, or they get dusty or dirty," Dr Hilton says.
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Does this mean we're over-washing our dogs?
Some of us are.
"In general, dogs are bathed more often than they need to be," Dr Hilton says.
But unless your dog has a skin condition or other health problem, it's probably not causing much harm.
"If I see a normal healthy dog, they can wash their dog as often as they like," Dr Crothers says.
What if my dog has a skin condition?
If your dog has any form of skin disease or an allergy, it's important you consult your vet before washing your pooch.
Depending on the condition, your dog may be better off with no washing, or may need more regular bathing.
For dogs with some forms of skin disease, the washing process can dry out the dog's skin and should be avoided, says Dr Hilton.
"The danger is dogs with allergic skin disease commonly have a defect in their skin barrier, which manifests as drying of the skin and that contributes to their misery," he says.
"And using harsh shampoos harsh being anything that strips any further lipid [fatty protective] layer off the skin or damages it potentially makes the itch worse."
Avoid any products intended for use in humans, as human skin is very different and less sensitive than a dog's, says Dr Hilton.
Also, stay away from products containing coal tar or harsh strippers such as selenium or benzyl peroxide, products designed to treat scale/seborrhoea if this is not present, as well as cheap or unknown brands.
A vet can point you towards the right (milder) options for your pet's skin.
On the other hand, dogs with bacteria and yeast infections, or with an accumulation of dandruff scale, do need to be bathed to remove "the pathological build-up of stuff on the skin," Dr Hilton says.
But if you do bath a dog with skin disease, you should almost always use a medicated conditioner afterwards, as recommend by their vet.
How often should I brush my dog?
Keeping your pet clean isn't just about bathing.
Brushing him or her is beneficial for the removal of shedding fur, prevention of painful tangles, removal of that "doggy" smell by scraping away old oils, and removal of ticks and grass seeds which can wiggle down into the skin and hurt your dog.
"It also allows the dog to keep clean areas that it might otherwise struggle to, [such as] the tail and the chest," says Paul McGreevy, a professor of animal behaviour and animal welfare science at the University of Sydney's School of Veterinary Science.
Being aware of any lumps or bumps under the skin are other benefits, adds David Cunliffe, head of an animal hospital in Melbourne.
Remaining vigilant about brushing is ideal in the months approaching summer, when many dogs shed more hair than normal, explains Dr Cunliffe.
"It happens as the days start to get longer, basically from the footy grand final [in late September] onwards," he says .
"It's a seasonal response to summertime."
The exact amount of brushing your dog needs depends on the length and type of the dog's coat.
If your dog has a well-developed undercoat as do samoyeds, huskies and other arctic breeds you'll need to brush as often as once a day during shedding season to avoid knotting and dreadlocks, which can cause serious skin conditions if old hairs are left in the coat, says Dr Cunliffe.
Dogs with regular or less dense undercoats, such as poodles, don't need quite as much brushing and once a week will do.
But if their coat is growing long, it can get tangled and should be regularly brushed (you might also consider a trim).
The extra benefits of grooming
Brushing also has behavioural benefits such as teaching them to sit still that are often overlooked.
"It's one-on-one time [that's valuable] especially if you're attentive to what the dog's behaviour is telling you," Dr McGreevy says.
"The best owners are so attentive to the dog's behaviour that they can tell they're grooming an area that the dog really loves being groomed, and that's often the front of the chest and the tail those hard-to-reach places."
Brushing can be a joy for a dog and owner, or a real chore, says Dr Cunliffe.
"My tip is get your dog used to being brushed young, and make sure they associate it with lots of rewards here's a treat, here's a tickle with the comb, here's a treat, here's a tickle with the comb."
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...
