Jul 4, 2021
A clean pup is a healthy pup, but if you’re a new pet parent, it
may be confusing figuring out how often to bathe and groom your
dog. However, the right bathing and grooming schedule for your pet
will help maintain their overall skin and coat health and keep them
comfortable.
The frequency of bathing and grooming your dog depends on a couple
of factors including your dog’s breed, lifestyle and coat
health.
If you’re trying to establish a grooming schedule for your dog, you
can follow these guidelines to create the ideal program for your
pup.
While the frequency of bathing may be different for each dog,
Wendy Weinand, manager, pet services grooming education for Petco,
says that a good rule to follow is to wash your dog every four
weeks.
“This will help to keep their skin and coat clean and keep their
natural oils spread out to help condition,” she says. “Plus, they
will smell great.”
Regular bathing is important because it removes the buildup of dirt
and debris on a dog’s skin and prevents potential skin conditions
from developing such as clogged pores, itchiness, dry skin or oily
skin. “When pets are dirty, their skin doesn’t ‘breathe’
correctly,” says Weinand, “and they can end up with some issues
that may require veterinary care to fix.”
Keep in mind that dogs who play outdoors regularly or get dirty
from rolling around in dirt and mud may need more frequent baths.
Certain dog breeds may also need to be washed more than others.
“Certain breeds, like Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, have a naturally
oily coat,” says Weinand. “Bathing them regularly will help remove
the ‘dirty’ oils and replace them with clean, new natural oil the
skin is producing.”
Seasonality may also affect the frequency of your dog’s baths,
Weinand adds. In the winter, pet parents may want to bathe and
condition their dog’s skin more frequently to cut down on dryness
and itching. While in the spring, when pets are shedding, more
frequent baths may be needed to help remove dead coat.
Be careful not to bathe your dog too often, because overwashing
your dog’s skin can cause irritation. “Unless there is a medical
reason for more frequent baths, overbathing your pet—say weekly or
even every two weeks—can dry out the skin and coat,” says
Weinand.
Grooming your dog’s hair and coat is another necessary pet
parent responsibility. Like bathing, the frequency of grooming
appointments or at-home grooming sessions will depend on your dog’s
breed and coat length.
“The majority of breeds that need haircuts—for example Poodles,
Cocker Spaniels and Yorkies—need to be seen every six to eight
weeks to keep their coats from getting matted,” says Weinand.
“Their coats tend to grow at a faster rate than some other
breeds.”
Dogs with shorter coats, like the Brittany or Parson Terrier, can
go longer between grooming appointments because their hair grows
slower. These dog breeds should still be brushed regularly at home
to keep their coats healthy.
Pet parents should watch
for matting and pay attention to overall hair and coat
health when brushing their dogs. If something doesn’t look right,
they should consult with a veterinarian or dog groomer for
professional treatment.
Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is a part of grooming that many
pet parents find difficult, but it’s something that shouldn’t be
overlooked.
“If nails get too long, it can cause issues with walking,” says
Weinand. “Or they will crack up to the paw exposing the ‘vein,’
which can be very painful.” Additionally, “Not trimming your dog’s
nails regularly can also lead to infections that may require
veterinary intervention.”
Most dogs need their nails
trimmed every two weeks, says Weinand. If dogs regularly
walk outside on hard surfaces like sidewalks or pavement, they may
require less frequent nail trims (every four weeks) because the act
of walking can help file nails down.
If you’re unsure how to approach this part of grooming, watch this
video to learn how to cut your dog’s nails properly.
For more guidance on your pet’s specific bathing and grooming
needs, scroll through to find Petco’s recommended schedule below.
If you don’t see your pet’s breed, you can call your
local Petco
grooming salon for recommendations.