How often should I wash my dog? (Part 2)

As the owner of a Dog Grooming company, I am asked several times a day about how often a dog should be bathed. I answer the question this way: If you as a human stop washing your hair or if you stop using conditioner, what happens to your hair? It gets dirty oily and smelly without even rolling around in the grass or woods!

“But Maureen”, I hear, “I am not a dog”. No, you are not a dog. However, just like you, your four legged friend has either fur or hair that must be washed. A clean dog is a happy dog I always say and a happy clean dog, makes for an even happier owner. To date, no human has ever disagreed with me!

In Part One of this blog, I give reasons why your pet needs to be bathed at least once a month if not more. This blog is a follow-up to my original wherein I am giving you even more reasons to bathe your dog on a regular basis.

1) What types of activities does your dog partake in?

How much time does your four legged friend spend outside your home? Do you take him or her out for a walk everyday or do you just open the back door and let them have free roam of the yard? Does your dog roll in the grass or any puddle of water they can find? How about eating rabbit poop (or any other animal feces for that matter) or better yet, roll in it? How about digging? Is your pet a digger?

If your dog is like most dogs, then he or she partakes in some or all of these activities. I do not know about you, with a lifestyle like this, regular bathing is a necessity.

2) Does your pooch scratch their skin?

Unlike humans who absorb allergens through their mouth and nose, dogs actually absorb them through their skin. Sure, a good scratch now and then is fine. After all, even I do that from time to time. A dog that is consistently scratching signals something is wrong. Bathing your dog on a regular basis can prevent allergens from being absorbed through the skin. During the spring time, this is extremely important to your dog’s health and well being. Many times, pets need to be washed on a weekly basses.

3) Fleas and ticks.

By having your pooch washed on a regular basis, you are alerted to fleas and or ticks that your dog is carrying. It is common practice today to use flea and tick products. However, nothing is ever 100% full proof. If your part of the country is experiencing a dry or hot spell, then you probably have an abundance of fleas and ticks in your area.

Washing Fido on a regular basis using a flea or tick shampoo will also help in repel them. The last thing any homeowner wants to deal with is a house full of fleas. It makes you and Fido very, very, very uncomfortable and you both will feel like you are in the dog house.

My advice is this: The benefits of washing your dog on a regular schedule far outweigh the cons. Do you and your dog a favor, wash them.

For those of you who do not know about Aussie Pet Mobile, we are a full service pet grooming company that conveniently comes to your home to groom your dog or cat. We only use only high quality products that are bio-degradable. We offer a series of shampoos & conditioners designed to treat your pet’s skin and fur to keep it clean, healthy and shiny.

We offer shampoos with optical brighteners to enhance the color and shine, oatmeal shampoo to reduce itching and skin irritations, Lav-a-derm shampoo – a soothing lavender based shampoo to reduce stress, itching, burns and abrasions, and of course, flee & tick shampoos! There are a variety of conditioners available including Aloe Vera Re-Moisturizing treatments for dry skin and coat, De-matting conditioners to reduce matting, and Protein Paw Pad Conditioners to help with dry, rough or cracked paw pads.

For more information about us, click on Aussie Pet Mobile. We look forward to helping you keep your dog or cat clean this summer!