Is It Possible to Bathe a Dog Too Often?

[dog is my buddy]

How often should you give your dog a bath? That is a common question that dog lovers ask.

What is the answer? Well, the honest answer is that it all depends on the dog.

Different breeds and lifestyles require different care, so the type of dog you have and the way he lives will dictate how often he needs to be bathed. If your dog spends a lot of time playing outdoors, chances are he'll need a bath more frequently.

Some breeds, such as poodles, generally require more bathing than other dog, like German Shepherds.

As a rule, dogs with smooth coats generally require even fewer baths. Again, it depends on your dog's lifestyle.


Bathing your dog too frequently (once a week) will remove vital oils from your dog's coat, causing his skin to dry out. If your dog smells fine and his skin seems dry from too frequent bathing -that is a sign that you are bathing him too often. Start cutting back on your dog's bath schedule and see if his dry skin improves.

Bathing a dog can turn into quite an ordeal, especially with some dogs. That's why I always tell people to have a bathing plan and be ready to go. You can bathe your dog in a big washtub outside, in the shower or bathtub at home or in the sink (if you have a small dog). Always use a good shampoo to keep your dog's coat and skin in good condition.

Another good bathing option is a power washing system like Rapid Bath. The shampoo cartridge is inserted into this hand-held all-in-one spray unit which has 3 cycles to wet, wash and rinse your dog. It easily attaches to your garden hose or shower, and it gives your dog a complete bath in just 3 to 5 minutes. This is a very easy and effective way to bathe a dog.

I hope these tips help!

Until next time,

Dr. Jon