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Whether you’re a first-time pet parent or an experienced dog guardian, knowing how often to bathe your dog can be tricky. After all, there are a lot of different dog breeds, coats, and personalities out there.
Although there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, the general rule of them is to bathe a healthy adult dog every four to six weeks. we can help you determine the best bathing schedule for your furry friend. We spoke with Kim Kier, PGC, CCE, MGBS, owner and fear-free certified groomer at Little Barks Boutique, about how often you should bathe your dog to keep them looking and feeling their best.
Bathing Frequency Depends On Your Dog
Howe frequently you bathe your dog will depend on your dog’s skin and coat, activity level, or health and medical conditions.
| Dog type | Bath schedule |
| Dogs with double coats | Monthly |
| Dogs with short coats | Every 4 to 6 weeks, or in special cases (mud, skunk encounter, skin condition, etc.) |
| Dogs with wire coats | Every 6 to 8 weeks, or in special cases (mud, skunk encounter, skin condition, etc.) |
| Dogs with curly coats | Monthly |
| Hairless dogs | Once a week |
| Puppies | Beginning after 8 weeks, weekly while you’re training them to enjoy bath time
Monthly once they’re comfortable with the bathing experience |
| Senior dogs | Consult your veterinarian |
| Active dogs | More frequent baths |
| Sedentary dogs | Less frequent baths |
| Dogs with sensitive/dry skin | Once or twice per week with shampoo for sensitive skin |
| Dogs with skin allergies | Once or twice per week with hypoallergenic shampoo |
| Dogs with fungal infections | Once a week with antifungal shampoo until the infection is gone, or as often as your vet recommends |
| Dogs with fleas | Every seven to ten days until the fleas are gone |
How Often To Bathe a Dog by Coat Type
Coat type is one of the most significant factors that determines how often you should wash your dog.
- Dogs with thick double coats (Siberian Huskies, Corgis) shed year-round, which means monthly baths. A deshedding shampoo and a dog-safe blow dryer can help you make the most of tub time.
- Dogs with short coats (Beagles, Great Danes) only need to be bathed every four to six weeks.
- Dogs with wire coats (Jack Russel Terriers, Brussel Griffons) require a bath every six to eight weeks. Wire coats actually repel dirt naturally, since many wire-coated dogs were bred to work in rough terrain.
- Dogs with curly coats (Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs) collect dirt easily, so they should be bathed once a month.
- Hairless dogs (Chinese Crested Dogs, Xoloitzcuintlis) require weekly bathing with a moisturizing shampoo to prevent their skin from getting too dry.
Puppy Bath Schedules
Puppies shouldn’t get baths before they’re eight weeks old, since they have trouble regulating their body temperature.
Once they’ve reached eight weeks, experts recommends bathing puppies every three to four weeks to form a routine for them. “Go slow and praise them each time to help them create a positive association with the water and the bathing experience,” Kier advises.
After your puppy’s adult coat grows in—usually around five to six months—adjust your schedule to fit requirements for their coat type.
Senior Dog Bath Schedules
Most senior dogs can be bathed on a standard adult schedule every four to six weeks, or as necessary for their coat type.
Some senior dogs, however, struggle with certain skin conditions or incontinence, which might make it necessary to bathe them more frequently.
Other dogs in their golden years might find baths more of an ordeal than they used to, thanks to aging joints or more sensitive skin. If that’s the case, consider extending the time between baths with the help of pet wipes or dry dog shampoo.
If you’re unsure how often to bathe your senior dog, ask your veterinarian for help setting a reasonable schedule.
Dog Activity Level and Bath Frequency
Just like humans, dogs have different personalities and traits. Does your dog enjoy being outside and rolling around in the dirt? Or is your dog a couch potato who enjoys spending the day at home?
If your dog is extremely active, they might develop odor more quickly and need more frequent baths. But if they prefer minimal exercise and maximum naps, they likely won’t need to be washed very often.
How Often To Bathe Dogs With Skin Conditions
If your dog has sensitive skin, dry skin, or chronic skin allergies, it’s best to check with your veterinarian first about how often you should bathe them. A general practice is to bathe them once or twice per week with a hypoallergenic or dandruff shampoo.
If your dog has a fungal infection, frequent baths with medicated shampoo will help them heal. In most cases, they should be bathed on a weekly basis until the infection is gone, but your veterinarian might recommend more or less frequent baths depending on the severity of the infection.
If your dog has a flea infestation, you’ll need to bathe them with flea shampoo every seven to ten days to kill off the fleas at every stage of their life cycle. There are other ways to clear up your dog’s flea infestation, though, including oral and topical treatments.
What If I Want To Bathe My Dog More Often?
Bathing your dog more frequently than necessary isn’t a good idea, since excessive bathing can strip your dog’s coat of its natural oils and irritate their skin.
But there are times when it’s simply not practical to wait another four weeks to bathe your dog—especially if they’ve gotten really dirty. In those cases, don’t be afraid of an extra bath.
If excessive dirtiness is happening frequently, consider adding dog conditioner to your routine. “When we take away hydration during the shampoo process, it’s important to replace the oils, minerals, and hydration to keep the coat and skin healthy and hydrated,” Kier explains.
When Not To Bathe Your Dog
Suggested text: If you’ve just applied topical flea or tick treatment to your dog’s skin, you’ll want to avoid bathing them right away. Tatomm via iStock
Before you grab the shampoo and towel, it’s important to know about certain times when you should actually avoid giving your dog a bath. Here are a few situations when you should leave bath time for another day:
- Post-surgery
- After applying topical medications, like flea and tick preventatives
- Any time for puppies under eight weeks
No baths for at least two weeks after surgery
If your dog has just had surgery, you’ll want to avoid giving them a bath until your vet gives you the green light to do so. That’s usually around two weeks after surgery.
In fact, most vets instruct you to keep the incision site completely dry to keep the stitches in place and to prevent infection. That means no walks in the rain, no swimming in the pool, and no rolling around in wet grass.
If you need to clean your dog after surgery, you can wipe them down with a wet washcloth (avoiding the surgical area) or use a clean cotton ball dipped in water to remove any dirt from the surgical area.
Wait 48 hours for topical medications to dry
If your dog has recently received any topical treatments such as flea or tick preventatives, it’s best to wait the recommended time before bathing them. Bathing your dog too soon can wash off the treatment and reduce its effectiveness.
The typical wait period is 48 hours, but it’s best to check your particular product’s wait period before bathing.
Don’t bathe a puppy under eight weeks
If your puppy is less than eight weeks old, they’re too young to experience a full bath. Puppies that are younger than eight weeks old can’t regulate their own body temperature, so a bath could make them dangerously cold.
Instead, try wiping them down with a warm washcloth and wrapping them up in a warm blanket.
How To Extend the Time Between Dog Baths
There are lots of reasons to want to extend the time between baths, especially for fearful or anxious pups. Here are some practical things you can do to keep your dog fresh and clean without the hassle of a bath.
- Dry Shampoo: Whether your dog needs an intense refresh or a quick spruce up, dry shampoo can help get the job done.
- Pet Wipes: Pet wipes are a great option for pet parents who are always on the go. Just remember to choose wipes that are strictly for dogs. Household cleaning wipes and baby wipes contain potentially harmful ingredients, or they could dry out your dog’s skin.
- Paw cleaners: These cups with brushes on the inside are a good choice for getting deeply ingrained mud, grime, and pitch off paws and ankles.
- Washable Bedding: A dog bed with a washable cover can help reduce unwanted odors building up. When you wash your dog’s bedding, make sure to use pet-friendly cleaning products.
- Raincoats: Waterproof dog jackets can keep the worst of the grime off a dog on muddy walks. Make sure to choose a style that covers the areas where your dog is most prone to getting muddy. For low-riders, that’s the belly, while bigger pups might collect more dirt on their chest.
How Often To See a Groomer for Baths
Professional groomers are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to properly bathe your dog. Gennadiy Kravchenko via iStock
There are many benefits to having your dog bathed by a professional groomer. Because professional groomers have extensive training in dog behavior and pet health, they’ll know what bathing frequency is best based on your dog’s coat type and personality.
According to Kier, ideally a dog should go to a professional groomer every three to four weeks. “The coat renews itself in most breeds every 21 days,” she says. “Most pet parents find this schedule hard to manage, so most of my clients do four to six week grooming schedules with bathing and brushing in between.”
Kier recommends the following professional grooming schedules for different coat types:
- Dogs with short coats. Professionally groomed every six weeks, with oil replenishment at home between scheduled groomings.
- Dogs with medium coats. Professionally groomed every five weeks, with brushing and a mineral spray at home between scheduled groomings.
- Dogs with long coats. Professionally groomed every four weeks, with brushing and a de-matting or conditioning spray at home between groomings.
While you may leave grooming to the experts, you’ll want to keep your pet sitter up to date on any hygiene needs (such as baths and brushing) in your absence – especially if they are boarding with a caretaker for a longer period!
