How often should you wash your dog?

Reviewed by Dr Jill McMaster BVM&S MBA MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon and in-house expert at BorrowMyDoggy on 6 June 2023

It’s pretty obvious when we need a bath or shower, but unless your pup is covered in mud, it can be unclear when or how often you should bathe your dog. We thought we would shed some light on the matter and offer so best practices on keeping your dog squeaky clean.

In order to maintain basic hygiene, essential grooming and to prevent health and skin issues. Dogs by nature need to be bathed from time to time. It is also a great way to check them for strange scratches, bumps, fleas or other abnormalities.

How often you should bathe your pup really depends on these factors:

Hair length. If your dog has longer hair, it tends to trap more dirt and debris, while this tends to happen less in shorter haired.
Activity levels. If your dog likes to spend most of their time indoors they’ll probably be cleaner than a dog that likes to play in the park, digging in the dirt or going swimming.
Allergies or skin conditions. If your dog suffers from skin allergies or health conditions they may need more or less baths than usual.

These factors aside, it is recommended that you wash your dog at least once every three months. But of course you can wash your dog as frequently as you’d like, however it is also recommended that for more frequent baths you use a gentle, dog friendly shampoo to ensure you protect your dog’s skin and fur. Washing your pup every week can cause irritation and dryness as your dog produces natural oils to promote hair growth, so try not to over do it! When in doubt, ask your vet or groomer for advice.

To help you with bath time take a look at our happy bath tricks from our members. Where possible we definitely recommend introducing your puppy to bathing as early as you can, and to make it as fun and positive as possible. We suggest gentle and calming tones, and lots of treats! Why not try an adhesive wall matt/pad with dog friendly peanut butter?

This article is for information only, and should never replace any advice, diagnosis or treatment from your veterinary surgeon. Always contact your local vet or out of hours vet without delay if you have any concerns about your dog.