We all know that you must wash your dog from time to time to keep it clean and free of parasites, but what we often do not know is how often a dog should be bathed, something that varies depending on its type of hair and characteristics.
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So, when to wash a dog depending on the type of hair it has?
Although many other factors will tell when you should wash your dog, such as dirt or smell, at general levels we can indicate that depending on the type of hair it has, it will be necessary to bathe it more or less frequently.
Dogs with long, thick hair tend to stain much more than dogs with short, thin hair, simply because the dirt adheres better and it takes more time to come off.
The simple dust that they can pick up when they are running while playing in parks and paths, is naturally eliminated much easier in dogs with little hair than in dogs with a lot of hair.
Daily brushing works like a dry bath, in addition to removing dirt, stimulates blood circulation, hair growth, removes dead skin cells from your pet, while distributing fatty acids from the skin, on the hair, and makes it look shinier and more protected. And that’s something you should memorize. So, when asking yourself how often should you wash your dog, here are the answers we provided for you:
* Short / sparse-haired dogs: About once every two months
* Dogs with long and abundant hair: Once a month
* Medium-sized dogs: Once every month and a half
To wash your dog, it is essential to use special shampoos for dogs that do not have irritating agents in their composition and that are adapted to their skin pH, which is different from that of humans. The type of shampoo that we must use in our dog will vary depending on the type of hair, conditions in which it is, and finish that we want to give. But any of them must meet mandatory qualities on the ph. This must be between 7 and 7, 5. Another quality to take into account is quality: we must use shampoos created with silicone bases that protect the hair and cuticle; oil bases can damage our dog’s skin in the future. And, most importantly, we must properly and always condition the hair of our dog; this will allow us to maintain healthy and shiny skin and coat.
What is the dry bath?
Dry bathing is a type of washing that can be applied to older or sick dogs or in circumstances that require speed. Dry shampoo is a surfactant that we should only use on extreme occasions since it does not give the same quality and effectiveness as traditional shampoos. The effect is simple: we apply the foam to the hair, that foam envelops the dirt while we let it dry, and, once dry, we brush, removing the foam together with the dirt.
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When to wash dogs with skin or health problems?
The sick dogs require another bath than the regular ones, as will the veterinarian whom we indicate when we can wash up and how often. Naturally follows to be precocious about how often should you wash your dog in these circumstances. At general levels, we should use a special shampoo for dogs, since its pH is very different from ours.
The bath constitutes an ally for the veterinarian since through it we can supply the skin with moisturizers and pH stabilizers, antiseptics, antiparasitic, among others in the case of dermatitis.
Generally, the period between one bath and another is shortened according to veterinary improvement and the previous evaluation of the injuries in question. Dogs with skin problems such as mites or skin diseases should always use a special soap to treat their disease, the veterinarian will provide it.
Older puppies should have a shorter bath cycle since, like puppies, they are sensitive dogs that can catch colds very easily. It is advisable to wash him at home, since this way we can dry him well and without haste. Pay special attention to your pet’s ears when bathing, the water in the ears can cause otitis. If you are going to clean that area, make it as external as possible (the ear), the rest can be left to your veterinarian.
