It’s a Friday evening and you’ve just let your dog out before going to bed. When your perfect dog approaches the door, a smell is released. Skunk. THE only logical solution is to get your dog in the tub as quickly as possible to rid your home, your dog, and your nostrils of the stench.
A scenario like this is the most common time to bathe your dog, but should you bathe your pet on a regular schedule? Here’s how, why and when to bathe your dog.
How often should you bathe your dog?
The answer varies depending on breed, lifestyle and coat. Even veterinarians and experts disagree on how often you should bathe your puppy, but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animalsrecommends a baseline of once every three months.
The most proven answer to this question is personal to your dog and his needs. Do they spend their days frolicking in the grass and playing in the mud? Are they prone to run-ins with skunks? Or are they companion dogs who prefer to snuggle up indoors?
It also depends on the length of their hair. According to BeChewy, medium and long-haired dogs should bathe every four to six weeks, and owners of short-haired dogs should bathe their pets between every month and three months.
Dog owners should be cautioned, however, not to over-wash their puppy’s coat. The American Kennel Clubdoes not recommend bathing dogs with thick coats too much – consider Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers or Siberian Huskies – as they can remove oil from the skin, which helps dogs naturally insulating.
Knowing when and how often to bathe your dog can be a learning curve, but another good indicator to use is to bathe him when he’s dirty. Accidents happen. Dogs roll around in things they shouldn’t and their fur gets dirty. Use your smell and touch as a timer for dog bath time.
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How often should you groom your dog?
Brushing your dog regularly can lead to a happy puppy and a happy owner. The ASPCA recommends brushing long-haired dogs daily. Short-haired dogs can tolerate brushing once a week.
If your dog has hair falling in his eyes, ears or on his paws, regular trimming could also be part of his routine. Some homeowners are crafty with their own supplies, but others opt for professional grooming have their dog trimmed, clipped or shaved.
Do dogs like baths?
Like most answers to grooming questions, it depends on the dog. Some dogs experience anxiety at bath time, and others are just as happy jumping into a bath of water as they are into a pond or pool.
For dogs suffering from bath anxiety, Rover recommends giving your dog something to focus on, like smearing peanut butter on the wall or providing endless treats. You can also try bathing them like a baby, forgoing the shower head and using a bucket.
After a bath, dogs can go a little crazy shaking or running. The shaking is obvious: dogs shake or roll on the mat to dry off. Rover attributes this in part to the desire to return to a familiar scent by running and rolling to get rid of the new, clean scent. If your dog runs enthusiastically, he may be excited or need to release some energy after spending so long in the tub.
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