How often should you bathe your dog: Frequency and tips – Insider

Bathing may not be your pup’s favorite activity, but it’s essential for keeping their coat clean and parasite-free. 
That said, bathing your dog too often — or not enough — can have consequences for their health and appearance. 
Knowing how frequently to bathe your dog comes down to their breed, coat, and lifestyle. Here are some tell-tale signs your dog needs a bath and best bathing practices veterinarians recommend.
A foul odor is one of the easiest ways to tell your dog needs a bath. However, this isn’t the most reliable way to tell, since many dog owners get used to their dog’s odor over time. 
It might be time for a bath if your dog:
Important: If you spot signs of lice, fleas, or ticks, contact your veterinarian as treatment may require a special insecticide shampoo. 
The most important thing to consider in determining the right bathing frequency for your dog is their coat. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
Note: If you or someone else in your household has a sensitivity or allergy to your dog’s dander, you may need to wash your pet more often. This goes for allergies to dust and pollen, too, since both of these can get stuck in your dog’s fur or hair.
You probably don’t need to bathe your dog as often as you think. Dr. Amanda Takiguchi, a veterinarian and founder of Trending Breeds, advises bathing your dog no more than once every 1-3 months.
When you bathe your dog too often, you strip the natural protective oils on their skin and coat, according to Wigfall. This can lead to dry, irritated skin and a dull coat.
Instead, Wigfall recommends rinsing away dirt and bacteria with plain water to keep your dog’s coat clean and healthy in between baths, 
She also advises brushing dogs with longer hair at least three times per week to help dislodge any dirt or debris. Takiguchi says this helps distribute natural oils throughout their coat, giving them a shinier appearance. 
Quick tip: Brushing your dog regularly can also help reduce dander in the house — just make sure to take the brushing session outside.
The most obvious consequences of not bathing your dog regularly include an unpleasant odor and some dirty paw prints on your carpet. But it can also cause more severe health problems.
Leaving dirt and debris in areas that may cause rubbing — like between their paw pads or inside skin folds — can trigger skin irritation and infections. 
In long-haired breeds, debris buildup can also cause matted fur, which can look unattractive and cause your dog discomfort. 
When washing your dog, Wigfall says it’s important to avoid getting any shampoo into their eyes or ears. Here are two things that can help with that:
These additional tips can help you make bath time as pleasant as possible — or at least tolerable — for your dog:
Quick tip: Wigfall suggests placing a grippy mat underneath your dog to keep them from slipping and sliding while you’re bathing them.
Bathing your dog too often can lead to skin irritation and a dull coat, while not bathing them often enough could increase their risk of infections.
As a general rule, aim to bathe your dog every one to three months — erring on the more frequent side if they’re hairless, have a long coat, or spend their days playing or working outdoors.
You can also keep their coat clean by brushing them often and rinsing them with plain water between baths.
If you’re ever uncertain about how often to bathe your dog, you can always ask your vet for breed-specific guidance.
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