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There’s a reason they’re called fur babies—a beloved dog is sure to become a part of the family, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with its own array of messes. Alongside dirty pawprints, slobber, and damaged couch pillows, you also need to look after your dog by giving them regular baths.
Since bathing your dog can be a time-consuming (and messy) process, it can be hard to commit to regular cleaning. Plus, bathing your dog too often can actually irritate its skin and even increase its risk of infection. It’s all about hitting that sweet spot between over-bathing and living with that trademark dirty dog smell.
How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
As a general consensus, most agree that dogs should get a bath once every four to six weeks, though some recommend it as rarely as once every two to three months. However, dozens of factors can affect this schedule. It’s best to decide what’s best for you and your pup. Here’s everything you need to know to figure out how often you really need to bathe your dog.
Factors That Affect Dog Bathing Frequency
Coat Length and Shedding
The length of your dog’s hair and its shedding habits are important factors in your dog’s bath schedule.
- Long-Haired Dogs: Unsurprisingly, dogs with longer fur likely need more frequent baths. Their coats are more likely to cling to dirt, mud, grime, and sweat—and, with their longer hair, they’re more likely to get matted coats, which can be painful.
- Short-Haired Dogs: Can usually get away with longer periods between baths since their coats don’t trap dirt and grime as easily
- Hairless Dogs: The exception to the rule is hairless dogs. Since they don’t have coats to get matted and dirtied, you’d think that hairless dogs would be able to go months without baths. However, the opposite is true; since they don’t have a protective coat, hairless dogs are more prone to skin problems and may need more frequent baths to protect them from potential irritants.
- Shedding-Prone Dogs: Similarly, shedding habits play a big role. Certain breeds shed more regularly, a process that removes dead skin cells and bacteria. That means that shedding-prone dogs may need less regular bathing. Just be sure to brush their coat often to prevent matting and build-up.
Dog’s Lifestyle
If you’re figuring out the best bathing schedule for your pup, you’ll definitely want to pay attention to their living conditions and habits.
- Indoor Dogs: If you have an indoor dog that spends the majority of its time inside, it will need less frequent bathing. Consider bathing indoor dogs once every two months.
- Outdoor Dogs: On the other hand, dogs that spend a lot of time outside get dirtier faster, especially if they’re exposed to mud, dust, or dirt. Your climate may play a big role in determining when your dog needs a bath. If you live in hotter climates, you may want to bathe your dog as often as once every three weeks, particularly in the summer.
If You Have Allergies
Bathing isn’t just about taking care of your pup; it’s also about keeping your home safe and clean. If you or someone in your home has sensitivities, you know that keeping a pet—especially if they spend a lot of time inside—can be a struggle!
Allergens like dog hair and dander can quickly accumulate quickly on surfaces. To reduce these irritants, you may want to bathe your dog more often—once every two or three weeks is a good way to keep your home clean while caring for your dog’s skin and coat.
Gentle Detergents for Irritation-Free and Clean Dog
You spend a lot of time and energy to make sure that your pup is clean and healthy, so it’s important to choose a gentle, non-irritating cleanser for bath time. Charlie’s Soap is the perfect cleaning solution. Our cleaners are all designed for even the most sensitive skin, including your pet’s. At Charlie’s Soap, we’re all about animal-safe, hypoallergenic formulas that don’t sacrifice cleaning power.
How to Clean Your Pup with Charlie’s Soap:
- Mix ¼ cup of our Indoor & Outdoor Surface Cleaner into 5 gallons of water.
- Lather up your dog with the cleaning mixture, preferably in a standing tub or large bin.
- Avoid contact with your pup’s eyes—our cleaner is made free of harmful chemicals and additives, so it won’t harm your dog but may sting their eyes.
- Rinse your dog off thoroughly with clean water.
Just like that, your dog can enjoy that hard-to-beat Charlie’s Soap clean.
Explore More from Charlie’s Soap
We’re here to take care of you, your home, and your pets. From doggy baths to kitchen cleaning and laundry tips, Charlie’s Soap has what you need. Explore more cleaning products from Charlie’s Soap.
