[alycia]

How often should you give your dog a bath?

[Franny Glass]

What kind of dog do you have? How old is it? What kind of activity does it engage in?

My automatic answer is "when it feels really oily" or "when it stinks" or "when it looks dirty", but I could give you a better answer with some more information.

[Love's_Sophie]

Mine get baths weekly, but it is more due to the fact that I have allergies to them (and many things they get into), so keeping them clean is of utmost importance to me being able to keep them! Most dogs can go without a bath 2-4 weeks...some longer...it is more due to personal preference, need, or how dirty your dog gets, and how long you can go with him being in that state!

I groom dogs, and I am here to tell you, that those who say that "you will hurt your dog by bathing him 'often'" is a bunch of bs. There are products out now that are perfectly safe for our dogs and do not strip the natural oils from their coats, and do wonders for their skin and coats... you will not hurt the dog by using a GOOD dog grooming shampoo on your dog every week, two weeks, or month... of course, a GOOD diet helps too...

Look at that shiny coat...

[crazydays]

Her coat is so shiny and beautiful!! I agree about the bathing. My English Springer is liver and white. When I let her run off leash at the park (approximately 3-4X week) she has to be bathed. She is dirty all along her chest and her feathers are a mess. I have to put her in the tub-no choice. Her coat is still beautiful and I don't see any difference in the coloring or texture. She is on grainless premium food and Seameal 2X day. I am still experimenting with the best type of shampoo to use. From a groomers standpoint- please suggest a make for freq use on your dog if you can!!! Do you believe in conditioning shampoos?? Thanks

[Graco22]

I love EZ Groom Premium as an every day good cleaning shampoo. It is hypo and tearless, and its not a whitening shampoo, but it gets em pretty white too. I have used that as a basic shampoo for over 5 years at my salon now, and never had a problem. It doesn't leave a residue, doesn't dry the coat or skin (or my hands). I am not really a fan of conditioning shampoo myself. I will use conditioner (Coat Handler) on a dog if it needs it, but not every dog/coat needs it or benefits from it. Some coats will just look greasy with conditioners. Many conditioners are very hard to rinse out, and leave a residue. Also, you want to stay away from silicone conditioners if you are growing coat, as silicone coats the shaft and contributes to breakage. I think a good brushout spray after the bath, like Crown Royal or the like works great on springers.

[crazydays]

Thanks. I will try to find EZ Groom premium here in Ontario. I bought NuHemp 3in1 shampoo and I hate it. Firstly it doesn't lather very well. Secondly, it falls off your hands in clumps into the water. I think it makes the dogs coats look heavy..
Graco, I think what you describe is what I am looking for...simple shampoo that rinses off well!

[Love's_Sophie]

Originally Posted by crazydays

From a groomers standpoint- please suggest a make for freq use on your dog if you can!!! Do you believe in conditioning shampoos?? Thanks

I do like shampoos that hydrate the coat without making the coat look heavy...Therapet shampoos are some of my personal favorites. These are tearless 'all natural' products...they smell fantastic too...Lol! I love the Blackberry Lilac, and Peach Papaya. I love that they don't dry my own hands out, or give me allergic reactions...big pluses...Lol!

I also like some of the Groomer's edge products, they have a really nice shampoo\conditioner shampoo. Their medicated shampoos are really good too. Sometimes I like to use a medicated type bath just to really rehydrate a dog's skin and coat; I don't use them often though, just everyonce in a while to really give the dog's skin and coat an extra 'boost' if I feel it might need it.


You can find the Therapet's line at groomers.com

Petedge carries Groomer's edge products.

[Graco22]

EZ grooms products are only available thru EZ groom. EZ-groom.com I am not sure about shipping to Canada though, or how that works, if you can do it, etc. Ask for Suzie, and she will help you out. Their customer service is great! They will find a way for you to get it if you want it.

[Motebi]

The more you bathe your dog, the more you destroy the coat and the skin's natural defenses. My dogs only get a bath if they role in something real yucky or if they get sprayed by a skunk. They don't smell bad and when it rains their skin doesn't get wet, because it's protected by their coat.

[crazydays]

Thanks Loves Sophie and Motebi!!! My Springer is "always" in something nasty...hehe. Unless she is on grass and it is dry, she gets dirt from her toes up to her eyeballs!!! She is a dirt magnet and is always looking for mischief outside!! I never look to have to bath her...it just becomes necessary. I do understand about trying to retain the skins natural moisturizers though.

[Graco22]

The more you bathe your dog, the more you destroy the coat and the skin's natural defenses

That is a farce and old wives tale. In todays age, there are shampoos/conditioners/products that do not strip natural oils from coats or skin, as well as products to remoisturize and repair damaged coats. Many people believe that bathing often is bad, and its simply not true in todays day and age. Bathing loosens dead undercoat, and allows the skin to breathe on doublecoated dogs. The only time bathing too often can "damage" a coat is if you are bathing a wire haired terrier that is hand stripped too often, as it will soften the harsh coat, which is not desired in the show ring of course. It only softens the coat for a few days though, and no permanent damage is done.

[Motebi]

I beg to differ.