What is the best time to bathe a dog

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 30, 2024

Contributions sourced from

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 Bathe a Dog the Right Way, According to a Veterinarian

Giving your dog regular baths is an essential part of ongoing grooming and good hygiene. Of course, baths help remove visible dirt your dog earned through happy walks and romps through natural environments. But in addition to keeping your dogs coat clean, bathing also helps keep it healthy and free from parasites. While bathing is important for all dogs, not all require bathing at the same frequency with factors like their breed, fur, and environment all affecting the appropriate interval between baths. Once you determine how many scrub downs your pet needs, make those baths as pleasant and stress free as possible using these expert tips for how to bathe a dog, backed by a veterinarian.

How to prepare to bathe your dog:

Before you even turn on the water, take the time to set up an environment where your dog will be as comfortable as possible, and will associate the experience positively. One way to do that is to prepare your dogs coat so the process doesnt trigger discomfort.

Its recommended that you take the time to brush your dogs coat, especially if theyre longer-haired pups that get frequent tangles, says Jennifer Freeman, PetSmart resident veterinarian and pet care expert. Tangled hair can mat once you start bathing your dog, making it an unpleasant experience for your pet.

Where to bathe your dog:

First, youre going to need to determine the right place to bathe your dog. As a starting point, Consider the size and breed of your dog to ensure you have space and to best determine whether to bathe your dog indoors or outside, Freeman says.

For particularly small dogs, a sink might work best. More likely, its a bath tub, which can accommodate a range of breed sizes.

Bathing your dog outside instead of indoors might be a solid choice for certain breeds in some seasons.

Ideal water conditions for bathing a dog:

Especially if youre bathing your dog outside where hoses might run cold or hot be mindful of water temperature and pressure.

Whether its a hose or shower head, make sure water pressure is low and the water is lukewarm, Freeman says.

Water should be warm enough for your dog to be comfortable, and also to get the job done; colder water doesnt clean as well. (If you wouldnt love a cold bath, consider that your pet probably wouldnt either.)

Supplies youll need to bath your dog:

Get ready to bathe your dog by dressing in comfortable, casual clothes you dont mind getting dirty and soaked. Then gather all the supplies youll need and keeping them handy. (Much better to do it now than to try to find missing items when your dog is shaking water all over you!)

Youre going to need absorbent towels, including an extra one for your pet to stand on when hes still wet after the bath. Youll need shampoo meant for dogs (you can ask your vet for the best brand for your pup). Get yourself a set of combs and brushes right for your dogs breed and coat type.

Bathing your dog:

Now youre ready to go. Test the water first to make sure its lukewarm. Then, make sure to fully saturate your dogs coat; this may be challenging for especially thick or water-resistant coats.

Next, shampoo your pet, taking care to avoid sensitive areas including his eyes and face. Work the shampoo into a lather, adding water as necessary. Massage your dog as you rub in the shampoo, in just the same way youd have your own head massaged at the shampoo bowl in a salon: it should be perfectly pleasant! Let the shampoo sit on your dogs coat for several minutes before thoroughly rinsing with water.

Sonja Rachbauer//Getty Images

Drying your dog after the bath:

No matter where you bathe your dog, dont forget drying an essential part of the bathing process to keep your pup comfortable and healthy.

Regardless of where you bathe your dog indoors or out its important to dry him with a towel, Freeman says. Dogs with heavier coats should be dried thoroughly to prevent damp spots in the undercoat which can lead to hot spots. This is a common dog skin disorder also known as acute moist dermatitis; it causes sores and pain.

Safety tips for bathing a dog:

Whether your dog regularly enjoys baths or is always skittish about the whole prospect, youre going to want to line up some safety measures to keep bath time safe and secure.

Unless your dog can sit still during a bath or youre able to restrain them with your hand, its important to make sure you have somewhere to tether them if need be to avoid them escaping mid-bath, Freeman notes. Never leave your dog unattended.

She also warns pet bathers to make sure to thoroughly wash off any leftover shampoo. Not doing so can lead to contact dermatitis or hot spots, moist and infected lesions that itch, Freeman says.

With these tips in mind, youll be ready for a safe, successful, and stress-free dog-bathing process.

How to bathe a dog, according to veterinarians

When bathing a dog, remember to take things slow and attend to your dogs needs as you go. Every dog is different for some, bath time might be enjoyable, but for others, it might be more stressful. Follow these steps for a good bath time.

1. Start with a good brushing

Before you dive into the wet stuff, take the time to give your pup a good brushing. This will help you remove any large dirt and debris, as well as shedding fur. Brushing your dog regularly is a good practice for a healthy coat, but it also helps make bathtime a bit easier.

2. Prepare your dog (and the bath)

While you allow the bath to fill up with some lukewarm water, place cotton in your dogs ears. A dogs precious floppy ears can soak up water, and if youre not careful, trapped moisture can cause all sorts of problems like ear infections. Loosely place one or two cotton balls in each ear.

If you are bathing your dog outside, note that hose water can be surprisingly chilly. Preparing a basin of water beforehand to warm in the sun is a good idea.

3. Wet your dogs coat

Dogs have sensitive skin, so with lukewarm or warm water, gently wet your pups coat from the rear forward, slowly working your way up to your dogs face.

Be careful to never pour water directly over your dogs head. Instead, use a wet washcloth or towel to dampen the area around the eyes, ears, and nose.

4. Add shampoo and lather

Start with the paws and work up the body, lathering the shampoo deep into the coat with your fingers. Avoid shampooing the face directly. Instead, use wipes or a wet cloth to clean those areas to avoid eye and ear irritation. Pay special attention to areas prone to more grime, like the feet, groin, and rear end.

Always be sure to check the instructions on your dog shampoo. Some brands need to be diluted first or otherwise, you may end up irritating your dogs skin.

5. Rinse well

Starting with the top of the back of the head and neck, carefully and thoroughly rinse all traces of shampoo from your dogs coat and then rinse one more time. Check the water for discoloration or any signs of pests (such as fleas) that may have been trapped in your dogs coat.

6. Apply dog conditioner & rinse (optional)

While optional, dog conditioner can help prevent mats and tangles and is also great for your dogs skin. Follow the same steps with the conditioner as you did with the shampoo, avoiding the face.

Double-rinse your dog again to remove the last trace of shampoo and conditioner. Any lingering soap might irritate as it dries, so be very thorough.

7. Remove cotton balls & dry them off

With a few thick towels, dry off all the excessive water, paying close attention to the face, paws, underbelly, and any other skin folds. Once theyre not dripping wet, you can let them air out on their own, but be prepared for the classic dog shake to dry off.

If your dog is comfortable with the noise, you can use a hair dryer on the cool setting to remove even more water, which is a good idea if you are indoors.

Carefully remove the cotton balls from your dogs ears. If you have ear wipes, now is a great time to clean out those cute ears.

If youre feeling confident and youve noticed your dogs paws clicking around the house, go ahead and trim those nails now that the bath has softened them.