Nov 25, 2025
Parenting a dog is indeed a wholesome experience. But it comes with a world of duties and responsibilities. From keeping them active, taking care of their fur, to protecting them from insects and parasites, there's a lot that a dog parent needs to take care of. However, the one responsibility that is a key part of keeping them healthy, comfortable and happy is keeping them clean. But many pet parents aren't sure how often they should actually bathe their doggos. While active dogs, long-haired breeds and those prone to getting dirty may need a bath every few weeks, short-haired and indoor canines may only need one in a couple of months.
If you're new to dog parenthood and not sure how frequently to bathe your pooch, don't worry, as we are here to help. In this blog, we will discuss the bathing requirements of dogs based on different factors. Read on to find out more.
Bathing your dog too often can strip away their natural oils, leaving their skin dry and irritated. And not bathing them for too long could end up with a stinky pup with a dirty coat that's tough to untangle. So, what's the ideal frequency to bathe your pooch? Let's look at the different factors to consider.
Your dog's breed plays a significant role in determining its bathing frequency, primarily because each breed has unique coat types and skincare needs. Short-haired breeds, such as Beagles and Boxers, require less frequent bathing every 4 to 6 weeks, as their coats do not accumulate a lot of oil and dirt. Long-haired or curly-coated breeds like Golden Retrievers and Poodles, on the other hand, need to be given more frequent baths - 3 to 4 weeks - as their fur tends to easily tangle and get dirty and smelly. Double-coated breeds like Huskies and German Shepherds should be bathed every 6 to 8 weeks to prevent their skin from drying. Hairless breeds, however, generally need a bath every two weeks to reduce oil buildup and keep their skin healthy.
You should always determine your canine's health condition prior to deciding its bathing frequency. Dogs suffering from skin conditions like seborrhea or dermatitis may require weekly bathing with dog-specific medicated shampoos like Malaseb Shampoo to help achieve optimum skin condition. And dogs that are prone to allergies, dry skin or infections will need to be bathed every few days with gentle, moisturizing shampoos like Bob Martin Original Shampoo or Dorwest Omega Star Shampoo. Also, dogs with anxiety should not be bathed frequently, as it may trigger their stress. You can consider bathing them every 1 to 3 months, with calming shampoos like Dorwest Soothe & Calm Shampoo.
If your dog is suffering from flea and tick infestations, you should give it a bath once or twice a week with a flea and tick shampoo to kill the existing parasites. The ideal product to go for is Karbawash Shampoo.
Seasonal factors greatly impact a dog's bathing requirements. During summer, dogs need more frequent baths, i.e., of 1 to 2 weeks, due to increased outdoor activities, heat, sweat buildup, and exposure to allergens and parasites such as fleas and ticks. Frequent baths during warmer seasons help keep their coat clean, fresh and their skin healthy while preventing unwanted odors and irritations. However, during winter, dogs require less frequent bathing, which can be every 4 to 6 weeks or even longer as they don't visit outdoors as much and invite less dirt.
A dog's age plays a key role in determining its bathing requirements. Puppies generally have sensitive and delicate skin and require less frequent baths, every 6 to 8 weeks. Adult dogs, on the other hand, require bathing every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on their activity levels and coat types. Similar to puppies, even senior dogs require less frequent baths as their skin can become susceptible to dryness. They may benefit from a gentle wipe-down between baths.
Lifestyle also plays a major role in influencing a dog's bathing schedule. Dogs that tend to play outdoors and like to hike or roll on the ground will surely need a bath every 1 to 3 weeks to remain clean and odor-free. However, indoor doggos usually require less frequent baths as they are less exposed to dirt, which can be every 4 to 8 weeks.
If your dog gets dirty between baths, you can spot-clean its dirty areas or use pet-specific wipes to keep it fresh without a full bath, which will help preserve its natural oils.
No, do not use human shampoos to bathe your dog, as they are not formulated for their body and can irritate a dog's skin. Always use shampoos formulated specifically for dogs.
You can bathe your puppy with a good quality dog shampoo that suits its skin and coat type, as the products cater to canines of all ages.
Dry shampoos cannot substitute regular wet shampoos, as dry shampoos offer a temporary solution between regular baths.
We hope that our comprehensive guide will be able to help you decide on the appropriate bathing requirement for your furry companion. Always ensure to never over-bathe your doggo as it can strip natural oils from their coat, causing dryness and irritation, so it's important to balance cleanliness with skin health. Regular brushing and wiping down between baths can help maintain your dog's coat and skin.
