Q: How often is it good to bathe my dog?
A: Adequate frequency of bathing is variable based on many factors including their lifestyle (indoor versus outdoor), length of hair coat, season, and the personal preferences of the pet owner as well as certain medical conditions.
A good rule of thumb is once a month bathing, although dogs that are outdoors a lot and end up in the family’s bed may need more frequent cleaning and grooming.
I recommend frequent brushing of the hair coat, which should help establish adequate bathing practices for the pet. Pets suffering from allergies and skin infections often need more frequent bathing.
Dr. Jangi Bajwa is a Board certified veterinary dermatologist at VetDERM Clinic in Surrey BC. He is also the dermatology feature editor for Canadian Veterinary Journal. Dr. Bajwa’s special interests include otitis and allergic disease in pets; as well as helping improve quality of life of pets and their families.
