Current:Home > InvestHow often should you wash your dog? Bathe that smelly pup with these tips. -Aspire Money Growth
How often should you wash your dog? Bathe that smelly pup with these tips.
View
Date:2025-04-14 10:48:19
It’s almost bedtime and you’ve just let your dog out before hitting the hay. As your pooch approaches the door, a smell emerges – skunk!
The only logical solution is to get your dog into the bathtub as fast as possible to rid your house, your dog and your nostrils of the stench.
A scenario like this may be the most common time to bathe your dog, but you should have a regular wash schedule too. Here’s a guide for when to get out the bubbles for your pup.
How often should you bathe your dog?
It depends on breed, lifestyle and coat. Once every three months is a good baseline, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
But it’s more about knowing your dog – does your dog spend their day frolicking in the grass and playing in the mud or would they rather cozy up on your lap inside?
It also depends on your dog's hair length. According to BeChewy, medium- and long-coat dogs should bathe every four to six weeks and short-coat dogs should bathe somewhere between every one to three months.
Just be careful not to wash your pup’s coat too much – over-bathing dogs with thick coats like Labradors, Golden Retrievers or Siberian Huskies can strip oil from the skin, which can interrupt the natural insulation of their bodies, the American Kennel Club reports.
When in doubt, wash your pet when they get grimy. If you spot dirt, feel something sticky or smell a funk, take it as a cue to get that pup in the bath.
How often should you groom your dog?
Regular brushing makes for a happy pup and owner – it helps prevent excess shedding and matting, which can lead to pain and infection.
The ASPCA recommends brushing dogs with long coats daily. Dogs with short coats can stand a once-a-week brushing.
If your dog has fur that falls into its eyes, ears or over the paws, a regular trimming may also be beneficial. Some owners prefer to clip at home, but it's okay if you opt for a professional to groom your dog.
Do dogs like baths?
It depends on the dog. Just like humans, some dogs are more anxious than others around water.
For dogs with bath anxiety, Rover recommends giving your dog something to focus on, like smearing peanut butter on the wall or supplying treats. You can also bathe them like a baby and use a bucket instead of the showerhead.
Some dogs may go a little nuts after a bath by shaking to get dry or running around. Dogs typically run around after a bath to release pent-up energy or to get back to their normal scent instead of the new, clean one, Rover says.
Why is my dog shaking?There are a couple of explanations
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "Why do cats sleep so much?" to "How to get rid of hiccups" to "Why do dogs lick you?", we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.
veryGood! (723)
Related
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel after commander's assassination, as war with Hamas threatens to spread
- Poland reintroduces restrictions on accessing areas along Belarus border due to migration pressure
- Safety concerns arise over weighted baby sleeping products after commission's warning
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Andy Cohen Has This Message for RHONJ Fans Worried About a Cast Reboot
- Trump offers CEOs a cut to corporate taxes. Biden’s team touts his support for global alliances
- QB Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars agree to a 5-year, $275M contract extension, AP source says
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Love Is Blind's Taylor Rue Suffers Pregnancy Loss With Boyfriend Cameron Shelton
Ranking
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- California legislators break with Gov. Newsom over loan to keep state’s last nuclear plant running
- Climate protesters disrupt congressional baseball game, Republicans have 31-11 decisive victory
- North Carolina judges consider if lawsuit claiming right to ‘fair’ elections can continue
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Brittany Mahomes Shares How Chiefs Kingdom Hits Different With Taylor Swift
- Report says ‘poor maintenance’ led to deadly 2022 crash of firefighting helicopter in New Mexico
- Houston city leaders approve $1 billion bond deal to cover back pay for firefighters
Recommendation
Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
Tyson Foods heir suspended as CFO after second alcohol-related arrest
Utah Hockey Club will be the name of the NHL team in Salt Lake City for its inaugural season
Halle Bailey Reveals She Back to Her Pre-Baby Weight 7 Months After Welcoming Son Halo
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
California Senate approves ban on schools notifying parents of their child’s pronoun change
Attorney charged in voting machine tampering case announces run for Michigan Supreme Court
Jennifer Garner Makes Rare Comment About Her and Ben Affleck's Kids in Message to Teachers