How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?

Knowing how often to bathe your dog can be tricky. With so many different types of dogs, lifestyles and health needs, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Keep reading for guidelines to help determine the best dog bath frequency for your pet.

How Often Should I Bathe My Dog? Factors to Consider

Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesn't need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, it's a good idea to bathe your pooch at least once every 4 weeks.

Bathing your dog gives you an excellent opportunity to check them over for signs of skin problems or lumps that could indicate a more serious health issue.

In some cases, though, your dog could benefit from having baths on a more regular basis. Here are several factors to consider when deciding if you should increase your dog bath frequency.

Your Dog's Activity Level

If your dog is highly active and spends a lot of time outside, they'll probably need a bath more often — especially if they regularly swim or play in the dirt. Even if they're not prone to getting into messes, athletic dogs could need more frequent baths to control their odor.

Their Type of Coat or Skin

Long-haired and curly-haired dog breeds generally require more regular bathing and grooming to keep their coats from matting, says the American Kennel Club. The AKC also recommends bathing these types of dogs at least once every four to six weeks, with regular brushing between baths to maintain the coat. Short-haired breeds such as Labrador retrievers can get away with infrequent bathing as long as they're healthy.

What if your dog has no hair? Hairless breeds like the Chinese crested dog, who lack the skin protection a coat provides, need to be bathed weekly. Dogs who tend to have oily skin, like cocker spaniels and basset hounds, also benefit from more frequent baths to prevent oil buildup on their skin, points out Care.com.

Allergies or Skin Problems

Some dogs suffer from allergies or skin conditions that may require regular bathing with medicated shampoo. In these cases, the right dog bath frequency will depend on the instructions provided by your veterinarian or groomer. Dogs with itchy skin may also find relief from regular baths with a colloidal oatmeal shampoo. Dogs who don't respond well to oral or topical parasite treatments might need regular baths to help keep fleas and ticks under control.