TL;DR: Most dogs do not need weekly baths. A bath every 1–3 months is enough for most, unless your dog rolls in something stinky or has a skin condition. Bathing too often strips natural oils and irritates the skin. Keep it balanced: clean enough to be comfortable, not so often that it causes problems.
Dogs Need Regular Baths?
Yes, but “regular” does not mean every week. Dogs have natural oils in their skin and coat that protect them. Taking too many baths can dry out the skin, cause itching, and even exacerbate allergies.
For most dogs:
- Only bathe your dog if they smell or are dirty, every 1 to 3 months is plenty
- Immediate bath if they roll in mud, poop, or get sprayed by a skunk
- Check with your vet if your dog has allergies or skin issues
If your dog rolled in poop, here’s how to clean them up fast: Dog Rolled in Poop: How to Clean and Get Rid of the Smell.
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Tips for Bathing Your Dog at Home
Bath time does not have to be stressful. A few things that help me:
- Brush before the bath to remove loose fur and mats
- Use a dog shampoo, never human products (or try one of my Homemade Dog Shampoo Recipes)
- Lukewarm water, not too hot or cold
- Peanut butter spread on the wall to keep them occupied while you scrub
- Have all your towels close by so you are ready for spontaneous splashes
- Use grooming gloves for a deep clean
- Reward before, during, and after with treats or play, so it is a positive experience
Want to see how I set up for stress-free baths at home? Watch my video: Home Dog Bathing Setup with the Vevor Dog Wash Station.
FAQ: Dog Bathing
How often should you bathe a dog with allergies?
It depends. Some may require weekly medicated baths, while others may need them only monthly. Always follow your vet’s advice.
Can I use baby shampoo on my dog?
No. Even “gentle” shampoos for humans can disrupt a dog’s skin pH. Stick with dog-specific products.
Do dogs need baths in winter?
Yes, but less often unless they get dirty or smelly. Always dry them thoroughly to prevent getting cold.
Final Thoughts
So, do dogs need regular baths? Yes, but not too often. A clean, healthy coat comes from a combination of good nutrition, regular brushing, and occasional baths.
If bath time has been stressful, do not miss my Home Dog Bathing Setup with the Vevor Dog Wash Station. It has been a game-changer for us.
And if you want to keep your pup healthy in every area of life, grab the Dog Wellness Planner Bundle. It is the same system I use to track my dogs’ health, training, and care.
Thanks for letting me know that I should only use dog-specific shampoos for my pet's bath. My boyfriend and I just adopted a puppy weeks ago and his fur has started to smell, so we're thinking of bathing him in a few days. I'm also hoping that I can buy a vegan pet shampoo bar that can help him grow his fur.
lol I’m up here in the Pacific Northwest. We may get some snow (like this year, nearly a foot at my house) Doggos LOVE IT! I could barely get them to come in.
however, we tend to have a ‘rainy’ season. it’s about 9 months long. It isn’t rain like other areas get, we’re not talking inches at a time. More like .5 inch is a wet day. But it falls ALL DAY LONG. We rarely dry out during the ‘rainy season’
My 3 doggos (big guys/gal) have destroyed anything resembling a lawn in our backyard. We’ve tried to reduce the mud/dust by covering nearly the entire yard in cedar chips. Alas, after 5 months of this wet damp moss producing weather, the chips have taken a beating. Barely recognizable as cedar chips, barely contains the mud, and some spots are straight up mud pits.
I’ve given up trying to keep things clean. I sweep daily, I at least mop the kitchen now and again.
What I have found, is if you just let the dogs dry, then give a vigorous brushing, they’re practically clean again. Maybe this is something with their breeds. (Mostly GSD, a bit of Husky and ACD)
Maybe come the precious short dry season I may try to ‘bathe’ them outside….
maybe.
Even dogs with short, low-maintenance coats need regular brushing, bathing and nail trimming. Dogs with longer coats may also need clipping and hair trimming. While you may wish to schedule regular appointments with a professional groomer – especially when it comes to clipping and trimming your dog’s hair – these seven tips will help you establish an at-home grooming routine with your dog.
My son is gone for a year. I haven’t bathed him. He is at least 85 lbs. I am older, have not had a pet. I don’t know if i can handle him.
If the dog really needs a bath, consider taking him to a groomer. Or maybe ask a friend to help you.
My dog sheds year round, she ie a very sweet laid back Chihuahua. My grandson is so allergic to her. We live with my daughter and family. Welcome any suggestions. She is 7 years old.
While I can’t do anything about your grandson being allergic, there are certain steps you can take to limit the shedding. A high-quality dog food, brushing, use a bath soap specialized for shedding control, vacuum your carpet and furniture often and add coconut oil to your dogs diet.
Thank you for all the helpful information. I have 4 dogs that I love very much and on a fixed income, is a challenge. I will try your at home remedy for ear infections the next time my dogs have an ear issue. My biggest issues with my Cocapoos is itching and chewing their paws. One is on Apoquil and one is on Benadryl but it only helps a little. The one on Apoquil has stained her face from chewing her paws so much. Any suggestions on this?
Continue to help the dogs as best you can…they need help from humans that don’t care. ❤
pwareham44@gmail.com
Hi Pam, Have you tried a limited ingredient diet? The chewing of paws is usually a sign of allergies. Have you talked with your vet about the staining?
I’m working on writing an article about our Gingers allergies. But basically, I stripped her diet down to 2 ingredients, fish and sweet potatoes. I cooked this food so I knew there were no hidden ingredients. She was on this diet for about 2-3 weeks until she stopped itching. Then I slowly introduced new proteins to see if she started to itch again. Long story short, we now feed her a fish based, limited ingredient dog food. I have also found that coconut oil, fish oil and honey help as additives. Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter so you can be notified when the article on allergies is published.