You’re quite proud of the fact that you wash Juno once a week, but then why does she continue to suffer from dry skin? It could be that you are simply washing her too much. Yes, there is such a thing. Washing your dog too often can strip their skin of the essential oils needed to rejuvenate the skin cells, often leading to skin problems, which could kick-start a vicious cycle of increasing the number of baths, only for your dog’s skin condition to worsen. There is no definite guideline as to how often you should wash your dog, but as a general rule some veterinarians recommend you bath a dog with normal skin once a month. A number of factors come into play when considering this “rule” however:
When considering all of the above; longer-haired breeds might need a bath more often, as will dogs that spend all day outdoors, playing in the mud. You might find the smell of your dog too much to handle, or that your white poodle is constantly brown. All these factors come in to play when deciding whether a bath is necessary or not.
Of course, your pooch could be suffering from dry or oily skin, or a particular skin condition, in which case a trip to the vet is in order, to firstly diagnose the problem, and then provide the necessary treatment and advice on how often you should be washing him/her, and if a specific medicated shampoo is necessary or not. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle exactly – often you need to do a few baths initially, tapering down as the weeks go by, and your dog’s skin condition (hopefully) starts improving. Remember, regular brushing will go a long way to keeping the dog’s coat and skin in good condition, reducing the need for frequent baths. When it is time for “the big wash”, be sure to use a proper, pH-balanced shampoo, especially formulated for dogs. Our human shampoos are not suited to a dog’s more sensitive skin. And most importantly, make sure bath-time is fun-time. Each dog is different, so find what works for you, but here are the general guidelines for washing your dog.
The idea is to remain calm, yet assertive throughout bath time while at the same time making it fun – so your dog associates bathing as a positive experience.
Regal Skin Healing Shampoo has been formulated to offer soothing, healing and calming relief for itchy, irritated and inflamed skin. Suitable for dogs of all skin types, including those with sensitive skin, this Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) free shampoo will assist with relieving allergic skin reactions, healing skin complaints and reducing skin odours. The shampoo has a pH balance of pH7 to promote healthy skin in dogs.
Regal Tick and Flea Shampoo has been formulated with Khakibos and Rosemary to offer a herbal solution to tick and flea infestation. Suitable for dogs of all skin types, this Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) free shampoo has a pH balance of 7 to promote healthy skin in dogs.
