Every dog is different, and it is important to treat him or her as such. Just like humans, some dogs get smelly faster than others. Regularly cleaning your furry friend can be beneficial to both their health and your house.

Below are some factors you should consider when deciding how often to wash your dog:

How active is your dog?

Does your dog like rolling around in grass or the dirt? Does your dog like to go swimming? Do you take your dog to the dog park? Does your dog like to dig? If your answer was “yes” to any of the questions mentioned above, you should definitely consider regularly bathing your dog! It is important to remember that a clean dog is a happy dog.

Does your dog have medical issues?

Some medical issues in dogs, such as thyroid conditions can cause smelly skin. If that’s the case with your dog, you may want to consider extra bathing or a medicated shampoo.

Does your dog live indoors or outdoors?

If your dog lives outdoors, you may not need to wash him or her as often as a dog that lives indoors. When it comes to indoor dogs, they come into contact with your sofa, your floors, and maybe even your bed. To keep your house as clean as possible from the dirt, insects, and other grime that take root in your dog’s fur, you will want to wash your dog anywhere from once a week to once a month.  Unless recommended by your vet, you should try not to wash your dog more than once a week.

Does your dog have itchy skin?

Unlike humans, dogs absorb most allergens through their skin. If you do regular bathing of your dog, he or she is less likely to suffer from itchiness caused by allergens. It is also important that you use a shampoo and conditioner specifically made for pets. Although it may be tempting, you should never use your own shampoo!

What kind of breed is your dog?

Depending on the breed of your dog, their coats may be able to repel dirt better than others. Dogs with white coats or long coats are far more likely to pick up dirt than dogs with shorter coats, so you should wash them at least once a week.

If your dog is allergy-prone you should groom and bathe them as often as possible. Bathing allergy-prone dogs helps remove the dander that accumulates on a pet’s fur. It can also greatly help alleviate symptoms if someone in your household has an allergy to your dog.

While dogs can get dirty pretty easily, the good news is that they also clean easily. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions about creating a good bathing regime for your furry friend.