First of all, we should make it clear that dogs don’t need to be bathed more than twice, or at most three times a year, unless there is a veterinary recommendation to do so. Of course, if they get dirty for some reason, or have been swimming in the sea or a pool, these are valid reasons to give them a bath. The rule is to bathe your dog as few times as possible, but to do it when necessary.
Why shouldn’t I bathe my dog excessively?
Excessive bathing with shampoos, even if they are physiological and suitable for animals, will cause the protective layer of the skin to be removed. This layer is made up of lipids and proteins that help keep the skin moisturised, react against external aggressions and protect the organism. As the body’s largest organ, maintaining healthy skin is essential.
When we remove the skin’s protective layer, we can trigger problems that start with hyperaemia (redness) and intense itching. This usually happens because removing the skin’s lipid layer dehydrates the skin and makes it more sensitive and reactive to contact with external allergens. This creates a condition very similar to an environmental allergy, but which is actually due to damage to the skin. Furthermore, when dogs scratch and lick themselves insistently, they can inflict wounds on themselves and ultimately develop serious skin infections as a result of these wounds.
As with all rules, there are exceptions and, in the case of allergic animals, the frequency of bathing can be altered to every other day. However, these baths should be prescribed by your veterinary surgeon, with a specific shampoo for your dog’s skin problem.
What is the most suitable shampoo for your dog?
The product you choose should be as physiological as possible, formulated specifically for dogs. We should avoid using shampoo, shower gel or soaps for humans. If in doubt, the best person to advise you is your veterinary doctor.
After choosing the appropriate shampoo, and if you are going to bathe your dog at home, we should use tepid water and wet the dog well. The shampoo should be applied against the fur, rubbing it from the tail to the head, and we should pay special attention to the ears, as water and shampoo entering the ears can increase the risk of ear infections. The shampoo’s exposure time may vary depending on the brand, but usually 5-10 minutes is sufficient.
Then we must wash the dog very well to remove as much shampoo as possible and dry it. The drying part is also a critical point, because if the fur isn’t dried properly, the dog will start smelling like a dog again in no time. In addition, moisture next to the skin also predisposes to the appearance of skin problems.
If in doubt, contact your veterinarian, who will be the best person to help you.
Vet.Point – Oeiras Veterinary Clinic
Emergency 24h | 927896112 – 211918923 | geral@vetpoint-ivl.com
