How Often Should You Bath a Dog? (And How to Do It)

Over-bathing is one of the most common causes of itchy dogs in South Africa. Dog skin has a thin protective layer and a different pH to ours, and washing weekly with the wrong product strips it, which causes itching, which makes owners bath more.

How often, by coat

Short smooth coats — Staffies, boerboels, ridgebacks: every six to twelve weeks, or when actually dirty.
Double coats — huskies, German shepherds, collies: every eight to twelve weeks. Brushing does far more than bathing for these dogs.
Long or curly coats — poodles, maltese, spaniels: every three to six weeks, usually alongside a clip.
Skin conditions or allergies: follow your vet, which may be as often as twice a week with a medicated product.

Between baths, a rinse with plain water after a beach or dam swim removes salt and algae without stripping anything.

Shampoo

Use dog shampoo. Human shampoo, dishwashing liquid and household soap are the wrong pH and strip oils. Oatmeal-based shampoos suit most itchy dogs. Do not use tick and flea dips as a general shampoo. If your vet has prescribed a medicated wash, the contact time on the label — often ten minutes — is the part that does the work and the part everyone skips.

The method

Brush thoroughly first. Wet matted fur tightens into a solid mat that has to be cut out.
Put a rubber mat or towel in the bath or shower so the dog is not sliding.
Lukewarm water, never hot. Wet from the neck back, leaving the head for last.
Lather, leave the required contact time, then rinse for twice as long as you think necessary. Residue is a major cause of post-bath itching.
Face last, with a damp cloth rather than a hose. Keep water out of the ears — a cotton wool ball loosely in each ear canal helps.
Towel dry, then let them do the shake outside. Dry ears properly.

Making it less awful

Feed a smeared lick mat stuck to the wall at nose height while you wash. Most dogs that hate baths tolerate them far better when they are eating. Do it in the warm part of the day so the dog is not shivering, and never on a cold Highveld winter morning.