Did you know that it’s not always best for your dog to over-bathe them?
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Bathe Your Dog Every Day!
Image Courtesy of Flickr User rox sm
While it certainly isn’t a bad thing to give your dog a bath once in a while, there are actually some drawbacks to bathing your dog too frequently! Of course, every dog is different and it is important to discuss your dog’s bathing needs with your vet here at Leesville Animal Hospital, but take a look at some of the most common reasons why we don’t recommend over-bathing your dog.
– Over bathing your dog can really dry out their skin and cause itching and flaking.
– Over bathing your dog depletes the natural oils which will not only contribute to dry skin but it will also reduce the luster of your dog’s natural coat.
– Depending on shampoo’s that you use, over-bathing can result in irritated skin.
– Over-bathing your dog can result in your dog’s skin over-compensating and producing more oils to protect itself, this will leave your dog looking and feeling greasy.
So what should you do to keep your dog smelling like roses? (Incidentally, dogs should never smell like roses!) While every dog is different, a monthly bath should be more than enough for most dogs – in fact some dogs do just fine with bi-annual baths! If your dog ends up getting in to something they shouldn’t, try hosing or showering them off with warm water and using a vet approved leave in conditioner rather than using skin drying shampoos!
Your Turn
How often do you bathe your dog? Do you prefer to bathe them at home or have the professionals do it for you?
