bathing too often

[Sweetpea]

Just wondering if it is possible to bath a dog too often. I am only talking about once a week, no more than that. But would that dry out the hair or the skin? I guess it matters what kind of shampoo you use. Any input would be great, thanks.

[Arrooh]

You got it.

The shampoo that cleans, doesn't dry out the coat, and that was rinsed till all out, then rinsed again.

So many of the show dogs are bathed once a week, or even daily when on a circuit. You know they want the most beautiful coat possible. So nope, don't think you can bath a dog too much.

I do think on many shorthairs a good rubbing with a saturated towel and a bit of finishing spray or such makes a bath almost un-necessary. But don't tell customers, hee hee.

[Crystal]

I believe if you use a soap free product that will be less likely to dry the skin and coat. And if it's done more often like more than once a week I think if you dillute the shampoo more than the recommended rate, than it would be best for the skin along with a mild conditioner if possible.

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[sheilabgroomer]

I agree. With the products available today it would be hard to bathe a dog "too often". That being said, if a dog is being bathed on a very regular basis (weekly or more) and shows signs of the skin or coat drying out I would cut back on the baths or try a different product. It could also be the drying techinque used that is drying the skin or coat out. BTW I don't think it is necessary for many dogs no need to get bathed more than once a week. I am sure there are exceptions...lol I also agree w/Arrooh regarding the sht haires. I will wipe my Boxer w/a damp towel and spray her w/Matt Magic inbetween baths for a refresher. Works great and she looks so shiney.

[Plexi]

I bathe 2 poodles for 10yrs every week and they never had dry skin or anyother problems from it. I think it depends on the shampoo, I use a mild hypo-allergenic or soap free ones or ones that have a conditioner in it.

[Chicken]

We have two clients who come once a week for baths. I use an oatmeal or a tea tree shampoo, something soothing, and they do just great.

[HoundLover]

we have one dog that comes in once a week for a bath. she was using a medicated shampoo...well my boss decided to switch it to the lav n derm shampoo and the aloe conditioner...and we will see if it has helped! some people come in saying their dog has dry skin...well its on with the lav n derm and the aloe and the dog is alot better! personally i think it depends on the shampoo's....natures specialties dirty dog shampoo seems to dry my hands out. then we were trying wahls shampoo...a red colored shampoo that is almost gel like (we dont like it) and it has cedar in it...i dont remember what its called but that seems to dry my hands out even more! now i think if you were to use say the dirty dog or the wahl shampoo once a week on the same dog you might have a problem. because i know bathing diffrent dogs in it and using the same shampoo over again has caused me to have dry itchy hands. lotion can only do so much...but using the lav n derm or the plum silky shampoo or the almond crisp shampoo my hands are fine. personally i believe if it drys out your hands and your using it constantly then if your using it constantly on the same dog it probably is doing the same to the dogs skin.
JMHO
Hound

[Gracy Rose]

shampooing

Let your dogs coat and skin be the judge.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

I'd say the coat, skin, and the climate in your area will make a difference, so you must choose a good product for those 3 reasons.

I am in Utah, very very dry weather, and Spike gets a bath every week. In the warmer months I use Plum Silky and an ocasional bath in Dirty Dog shampoo, in colder/dryer months I alternate each week from Plum Silky to Neem shampoo, it really moisturizes his coat. Occasionally he gets conditioner, but his coat seems very healthy and shiny without it.

He gets a bath every week whether he needs it or not (I think he needs it, he thinks he doesn't). I win.

Tammy in Utah

[keachy18]

Well, I have a cocker spaniel and he usually gets a bath once a week. I have two kids and they somehow manage to get some sticky substance on him on a weekly basis. Which is fine, he adores them, they adore him, and fortunately he ADORES his baths. He will sit in the tub and wait for me if I havent given him a bath in a while. He doesnt have a problem w/dry skin. He did, but then I switched shampoos and now he is fine. So I think bathing a dog weekly with the right shampoo should not be a problem.

[Raggs]

Well it looks like your in Cali. It's humid there, so drying isn't much of an issue unlike dogs in my area. Good old dry Utah.

Bathing a dog once a week isn't going to dry out the skin unless there's a medical condition going on. But the oils usually come back within a day anyway. If it was such a bad thing to wash often people wouldn't be taking showers every day. Go for about 2 days without washing your hair, you'll be able to feel the oils on your scalp. They get there by the end of the day if you wash in the morning. Same with dogs.

Just don't use an oatmeal shampoo weekly, that makes for a nasty coat... Yuck....

[rapuzzled]

I'd say the coat, skin, and the climate in your area will make a difference, so you must choose a good product for those 3 reasons.

I am in Utah, very very dry weather, and Spike gets a bath every week. In the warmer months I use Plum Silky and an ocasional bath in Dirty Dog shampoo, in colder/dryer months I alternate each week from Plum Silky to Neem shampoo, it really moisturizes his coat. Occasionally he gets conditioner, but his coat seems very healthy and shiny without it.

He gets a bath every week whether he needs it or not (I think he needs it, he thinks he doesn't). I win.

Tammy in Utah

Yup, I agree Tammy. I think that coat and skin and climate play a big part! I think that it could be different for every dog.

To the original poster? What type of dog is it?