How often should you bathe your dog?

The frequency for bathing your dog depends on many factors. In general, every couple months or even less often should be sufficient, depending on your dog's health, age, breed, and the amount of time he or she spends outdoors.

For example, if your dog has allergies, it may help to bathe him more frequently with an oatmeal shampoo to relieve the itching. Allergies can also be helped by a change in diet. For more information on what helped my allergy-prone dog Abby, see my previous post HERE. You may want to check out all my posts under "blog posts by category - "dog allergies," and "dog diet."

Long haired breeds like the cocker spaniel can accumulate soil around their mouth, bottom of ears, and feet and may need more frequent bathing. Breeds such as chows that have a thick undercoat may only need a bath 3 to 4 times a year. Bathing a dog with an undercoat too frequently can make their coat less insulating and waterproof.

A bath is the best way to eliminate fleas, mites and lice. Doggie odor is another good indicator of when a bath is in order. However, sometimes a dog can have an odor from other causes, such as an ear infection, mouth or dental problems, or anal glands, which require treatment. If your dog has frequent ear infections, see my post HERE for a great ear wash and treatment that is both cheap and very effective.

Brushing your dog's coat regularly can reduce the frequency of bathing as well. And when bathing is necessary, avoid using human shampoos on your dog. We have a different PH than a dog, and our shampoos are too harsh for their skin. For more information on when to bathe your dog, CLICK HERE.