After spending more time than I really needed scouring the internet, I found that most of the advice only recommends washing your pooch just a few times per year.
I am not sure about you, but the thought of washing my dog only a few times a year does not sit well with my olfactory patch. I can only conclude that the advice given was written years ago when humans did not have access to quality shampoos and conditioners nor were there great service providers like Aussie Pet Mobile to help out. Let’s face it, for most people washing your dog or cat is a real pain. Our homes are just not set up to accommodate bathing our pets.
In the past, many of us heard that washing your dog too often can strip their coat of natural oils they need for their skin. True, in the past there were only a few shampoos developed for your pet and most of them had harsh chemicals to deter fleas and ticks. Let me tell you, times they have a changed!! Nowadays, we carry all kinds of shampoos as well as conditioners designed with your dog in mind.
With the advent of products designed to pamper your pooch, what factors should you consider when deciding how often to wash your dog? As you will see below and in my next blog, here are things to consider:
1) Breed
As a general rule, dogs with dry skin can be bathed less frequently than dogs with oily skin. The type of coat your dog has also plays a role in how often they should be bathed. For example dogs with soft coats like Yorkies, Afghans and Shitzus should be bathed every other week, while harsh coated breeds like Shelties and Collies can be bathed once a month. Soft coated breeds tend to “hold” dirt more which causes clumps to form in their coats. Also, a good sign that your dog needs a bath is the color of their coat. If your pooch’s coat looks brown instead of white, this is a good indication they need a bath. Always remember this: a clean doggy is a happy doggy!!
2) Does your dog reside indoors or outdoors and does he or she sleep in your bed?
If your dog lives in your house with you and more importantly, if he/she sleeps in your bed, then you are probably going to want to wash your dog regularly; depending on the breed, anywhere from once a week to once a month. I know this might be radical thinking for many of you; however, if your dog sits on your sofa, you probably don’t want him leaving dirt, poop, insects and other grime onto your sofa or bed. The trade off is that your dog’s coat ~might ~ be marginally drier but you will have a fresh smelling dog that you can cuddle without the fear that gross stuff is getting into the sheets.
3. Is anyone in your house allergic to dogs?
If someone in your household is allergic to your pet, here is some advice on how to help them. Wash your dog once a week. Most allergies arise from pet dander. By washing your pet once a week, it removes the dander. Again, we find that people are reluctant to do so because they think this will dry out their pet’s skin. If the proper conditioner is used, your pet’s skin will be just fine. Think about your own hair for a minute. After multiple washings, it can become dry and flaky. However, when you add the proper conditioner and/or lotion your hair and skin become soft and shiny.
My next post will continue this discussion and provide you additional examples of when your pet needs a bath.
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, please click on Aussie Pet Mobile Alpharetta
Stay tuned for part two!
