How often should you wash your dog? Bathe that smelly pup with these tips.
It’s almost bedtime and you’ve just let your dog out before hitting the hay. As your pooch approaches the door, a smell emerges – skunk!
The only logical solution is to get your dog into the bathtub as fast as possible to rid your house, your dog and your nostrils of the stench.
A scenario like this may be the most common time to bathe your dog, but you should have a regular wash schedule too. Here’s a guide for when to get out the bubbles for your pup.
How often should you bathe your dog?
It depends on breed, lifestyle and coat. Once every three months is a good baseline, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
But it’s more about knowing your dog – does your dog spend their day frolicking in the grass and playing in the mud or would they rather cozy up on your lap inside?
It also depends on your dog's hair length. According to BeChewy, medium- and long-coat dogs should bathe every four to six weeks and short-coat dogs should bathe somewhere between every one to three months.
Just be careful not to wash your pup’s coat too much – over-bathing dogs with thick coats like Labradors, Golden Retrievers or Siberian Huskies can strip oil from the skin, which can interrupt the natural insulation of their bodies, the American Kennel Club reports.
When in doubt, wash your pet when they get grimy. If you spot dirt, feel something sticky or smell a funk, take it as a cue to get that pup in the bath.
How often should you groom your dog?
Regular brushing makes for a happy pup and owner – it helps prevent excess shedding and matting, which can lead to pain and infection.
The ASPCA recommends brushing dogs with long coats daily. Dogs with short coats can stand a once-a-week brushing.
If your dog has fur that falls into its eyes, ears or over the paws, a regular trimming may also be beneficial. Some owners prefer to clip at home, but it's okay if you opt for a professional to groom your dog.
Do dogs like baths?
It depends on the dog. Just like humans, some dogs are more anxious than others around water.
For dogs with bath anxiety, Rover recommends giving your dog something to focus on, like smearing peanut butter on the wall or supplying treats. You can also bathe them like a baby and use a bucket instead of the showerhead.
Some dogs may go a little nuts after a bath by shaking to get dry or running around. Dogs typically run around after a bath to release pent-up energy or to get back to their normal scent instead of the new, clean one, Rover says.
Why is my dog shaking? There are a couple of explanations
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How often should you bathe your dog? A complete wash guide.
