How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?

It’s one of the most common questions dog owners ask and for good reason. Bathing your dog too often can strip their skin of natural oils. Not bathing them enough? Well… we all know that smell. So, how often is just right?

The short answer: It depends on your dog.
The long answer? Let’s break it down.

1. Your Dog’s Coat Type

Different coats = different needs:

• Short, smooth coats (like Boxers or Pugs): every 1–2 months

• Double-coated breeds (like Labradors or Huskies): every 1–2 months, unless they get smelly

• Long-haired or curly-coated breeds (like Cockapoos or Poodles): every 2–4 weeks to prevent matting
  

2. Skin Sensitivities or Allergies

If your dog has sensitive skin, less is often more. Bathing too often can cause irritation or dryness, especially if you’re not using a gentle shampoo.

That’s why we recommend specialist Sensitive Shampoos as they're fragrance-free and formulated to be more gentle on your precious pup than standard shampoos.

 3. Lifestyle & Activity Level

Outdoor explorers or mud-lovers? They’ll need more frequent baths than couch potatoes. Dogs that swim, dig, or roll in suspicious smells (looking at you, fox poo fans) should be bathed as needed with a deodorising, deep-cleaning shampoo.

4. Health Conditions or Vet Advice

If your vet has prescribed a medicated shampoo or bathing schedule, always follow their guidance. Some skin conditions may require weekly baths, while others benefit from more space between washes.

5. Puppy Bathing Needs

Puppies have delicate skin, so avoid over-bathing them early on. Bath your puppy no more than once a month unless they’re especially messy and always use a shampoo made for puppies. 

Try our best-selling Puppy Love Shampoo:

• Mild, pH balanced formula
  

• Built-in conditioner to keep coats soft
  

• Safe for pups 6 weeks and older

✨ So, What’s the Golden Rule? ✨

For most dogs, a bath every 4–8 weeks is a good routine, but tailor it to your dog’s coat, lifestyle, and needs.

When in doubt, follow this checklist:

✅ Do they smell?
✅ Are they muddy or greasy?
✅ Is their skin itchy or irritated?
✅ Are they shedding more than usual?

If yes, it’s probably bath time.

Shop Grooming Essentials

Whether your dog needs a gentle cleanse or a full-on de-stink, we’ve got a shampoo for every need:

• Puppy Love - The perfect baby powder puppy shampoo
• Fox Poo - The number 1 solution for your dog that loves to roll in stinky smells
• Flea & Tick - To keep your pup clean and bug free through flea and tick season
• Curly Coat - Specially formulated to care for their curls
• White Wash - To keep your white pup sparkling and stain-free
• Hair of the Dog - Our solution to tangled coats
• Deep Clean - For the pups who love to swim and dive in every muddy puddle