Q: Traditionally, I was taught that you should only bathe your dog once or twice a year, but attitudes about this seem to have changed, and many people seem to bathe their dogs much more often now. Can you bathe your dog TOO often?
A: The advice is currently to only bathe your dog as necessary to help maintain the natural oils in his coat, as over-bathing can cause dryness, irritable skin patches, dandruff or hair loss. However, providing you are using a specially designed dog shampoo and your dog has no skin conditions, bathing is generally pretty safe and can even be beneficial – especially if your dog has a tendency to roll in particularly smelly finds!
A gentle shampoo or medicated product can usually be used safely to clean the fur, but it is important you research your breed and hair type before embarking on bathing. Many breeds, such as West Highland White Terriers and Border Terriers for example, are advised against regular baths, as this can soften the wiry texture of the coat. Specialised products are available for particular breeds, so it would be ideal to ask breeders or breed associations for their advice.
NOTE: If you are simply bathing your dog to make him smell nice, then rather skip the bath. Many pet fresheners or deodorisers are now available, which can be used safely to help keep your dog smelling fresh instead.
