How often should I bathe my dog? 

Dogs need to build up a level of natural oils in their hair and skin to keep them healthy, so it’s important not to bathe them too often. After a muddy walk, a rinse off in water is usually enough, and a thorough clean with shampoo is only required when they get excessively dirty, roll in poo (or anything else unpleasant) or if they have a skin condition that requires bathing with a medicated product.

Before you start...

Before popping your dog into the bathtub, make sure you have everything you need ready:

• A brush
• Dog-friendly shampoo
• A towel
• A non-slip bath mat

You may want to brush your dog before bathing them. This will help get rid of loose excess hair. 

Before turning on the tap, you might want to measure out the shampoo and set it to one side. 

If your dog is uncomfortable and skittish around water, try putting down a non-slip bath mat.

How to bathe your dog, a step-by-step guide:

1. Once your dog is in the tub, wet their coat with lukewarm water. Do this gently, and avoid getting water in your dog’s face and eyes. 
2. Next, apply the shampoo and gently massage it through your dog’s coat. Take extra care to make sure no shampoo gets in your dog’s eyes or ears. 
3. Leave the shampoo to soak into your dog’s skin. You’ll get a recommended wait time included with your shampoo, but it’s usually around 3-5 minutes. If your dog is restless, try distracting them with treats or their favourite toy. 
4. Rinse your dog gently and thoroughly with lukewarm water.
5. When it comes to drying your dog, let them shake off excess water, then towel-dry.
6. Reward your dog with a tasty treat!

The benefits of bathing

Many canine shampoos contain products that help to promote healthy skin, and frequent bathing can even help to manage existing skin conditions. 

Skin care is usually associated with humans, but dogs suffer skin trouble more often than you think. Common causes include:

• Allergies (i.e. hay fever or food allergies)
• Bacterial or fungal infections
• Fleas
• Ticks

Does my dog have skin problems?

Signs of skin problems include:

• Regular scratching, licking or chewing a particular area  
• Rubbing their face against furniture/carpet
• Dry, flaky, red, swollen or bleeding skin
• Hair loss

If you suspect your dog is suffering from a skin problem, contact us as soon as possible.