The short answer to this question is, it depends. Brilliant, right? In the past, I’ve been told that you only need to bathe your dog a few times a year!
However, in recent years many new and improved grooming products for dogs have been introduced. New shampoos and conditioners are much less harsh for your pet than the previous versions.
In most cases, it is safe to bathe your dog much more often.
Bathing Your Dog
A good rule of thumb: If you can smell them, you should bathe them. If you have a fairly healthy dog, you can get away with bathing your pup once or twice per month in most cases.
For more active dogs, you probably want to shoot for once per week. For dogs with skin conditions (like Norman!), you may need to bathe them even more often. Dogs naturally groom themselves quite a bit, so really we just use baths as a supplement.
When in doubt, ask your vet. Be careful not to bathe your dog too often. It can start to irritate their skin and even cause damage to their hair follicles.
If this happens you will see some areas of dry skin, redness, and itching. Hold off on the baths for a few weeks and use some soothing cream, or you can try an edible solution like this coconut oil.
Different breeds require different grooming techniques, and that includes bathing. Each breed has varying types of coats, as well as different lengths and textures that needs specific care.
It’s a good idea to brush your dog’s coat before bath time to remove any loose hair. For French bulldogs, you don’t need to fill up a bath for soaking. Simply wet the hair thoroughly, lather the coat with a sensitive oatmeal shampoo from neck to tail, and rinse.
Be sure to also wipe the face, paying special attention to their wrinkles.
Use the Right Products
Choosing the right products is as important as the grooming itself. Not all dogs enjoy bath time, so you want to ease them in to it so they aren’t nervous or scared. Baths can be a great time for you and your pet to bond.
When they are puppies, try using treats before and during bath time to help them get excited about getting in the tub or sink. Also, bring their favorite toy to play with, it will make bath time more fun!
I would also recommend a non-slip mat to put in the tub, especially for puppies taking their first baths. It can get slippery in the tub!
Be sure to use lukewarm water, you don’t want it too hot. Do NOT use human shampoo on your pet.
Dog shampoos are specifically formulated for the their skin. The oatmeal shampoo linked above is all natural and highly recommended, but there are dozens of others on the market as well. They also make a conditioner if you want to give your dog that shiny coat.
Stop the Itch at the Source
Have you figured out why your dog is having some of these reactions? Trust me, I know how frustrating it can be to go in circles from good days to the itching then to medication and back again.
If you haven’t tested your dog for allergens yet, there’s a good test you can use at home. It’s very easy and quick. We used it for Norman and we got the test results in about a week.
For the price, it is a great (and cheaper) way to find out what your dog is reacting to. It breaks them down into environmental and food allergens so you can make better decisions for your pet. And hopefully get rid of that itch and redness!
Conclusion
Even with these products, some dogs can still have skin reactions. If that happens, re-wash your dog with warm water only (no shampoos). Then rub them down with some soothing lotion or cream.