How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog? A Guide by Coat Type

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There is no single bath schedule that fits every dog. How often you should bathe your dog depends on its coat, its skin, how it spends its days and whether your vet has prescribed a medicated shampoo. This page sets out what veterinary hospitals and the American Kennel Club say, a quick guide by coat type, how to give a bath that does not dry out the skin, and when frequent bathing is a question for your vet.

The short answer: most healthy dogs need a bath only when they get dirty or start to smell. VCA Animal Hospitals puts non-shedding breeds with no health issues at about every six to eight weeks, and Washington State University‘s veterinary hospital says a weekly bath with a veterinary shampoo is generally safe, but bathing too often can strip the coat’s protective oils. Use a shampoo made for dogs, brush before the bath and rinse thoroughly.

Important: this page is general care information from VCA Animal Hospitals, the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the ASPCA and the AKC, linked where it is used. It is not veterinary advice. If your dog has itchy, red, flaky or smelly skin, or needs a bath very often to stay clean, talk to your vet, because the bath schedule may be part of a treatment plan.

How often to bathe a dog: the sources side by side

The sources agree on the principle (bathe when needed, not on a fixed clock) but give different numbers, because they are talking about different dogs:

• VCA Animal Hospitals: most dogs need a bath on an occasional basis, usually when the coat gets dirty or they develop a “doggy odor”. Non-shedding breeds with no health issues typically need a bath about every six to eight weeks, and dogs with a heavy undercoat benefit from a bath in spring or fall, when they shed seasonally.
• WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital: in general it is safe to bathe a dog with veterinary shampoo once a week, but bathing too frequently can strip the coat of protective oils. Prescription shampoos may call for more or less frequent baths.
• ASPCA: most dogs do not need to be bathed more than a few times a year.
• AKC: most experts recommend bathing as infrequently as possible to preserve natural oils and avoid drying out the skin, and frequency depends on how much time your dog spends outdoors and what it does there.

So a weekly bath is a safe upper limit for a healthy dog with a gentle dog shampoo, and many dogs need far fewer. A celebrity groomer quoted by the AKC sums it up: wash your dog when it is “no longer huggable.”

Bath frequency by coat type

Coat type is the biggest factor, but the AKC points out that it is not as simple as “shorter hair means fewer baths”. This is a starting point drawn from the sources above. Adjust it to your dog’s lifestyle and your vet’s advice.

Coat type	Example breeds	What the sources say
Hairless	Chinese Crested, Xoloitzcuintli	Care-intensive. A groomer quoted by the AKC says these breeds need weekly baths.
Oily coat	Basset Hound	May need a bath as often as once a week (AKC).
Short coat	Beagle, Weimaraner	Bathed less often (AKC). A damp washcloth rubdown can remove dirt between baths (AKC).
Medium to long coat	Maltese, Collie	From weekly to every four to six weeks, as long as the coat is properly maintained between baths (AKC).
Non-shedding coat	Yorkshire Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu	About every six to eight weeks for dogs with no health issues (VCA), along with regular haircuts.
Water-repellent or thick double coat	Golden Retriever, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute	Fewer baths but a lot of brushing (AKC). Spring or fall baths help during seasonal shedding (VCA).

When your dog needs a bath sooner

VCA lists the situations where a bath cannot wait for the schedule:

• Puppies being house-trained that have soiled themselves.
• Dogs that run through puddles or jump into water and come back from a muddy walk.
• Dogs that roll in something unpleasant or have a run-in with a skunk.
• Dogs with allergies or skin conditions, when your vet prescribes frequent bathing as part of treatment.

The AKC adds that dogs swimming in the ocean, hunting in muddy water or working outdoors all day may need more baths than dogs that spend most of their time indoors, whatever the breed. A groomer quoted by the AKC also notes that for owners allergic to dog dander, a weekly bath can help manage it.

Can you bathe a dog too often?

Yes. WSU says bathing too frequently can strip the coat of protective oils, and a groomer quoted by the AKC warns that overbathing double-coated breeds can strip too much oil from the skin.

If your dog seems to need a bath very often to stay clean or smell normal, VCA advises discussing it with your vet. They may suggest a dry shampoo, or a medicated shampoo and conditioning rinse, to prevent skin problems from repeated baths.

Which shampoo to use

• A shampoo made for dogs. VCA says dogs should only be bathed with shampoo formulated for dogs, because their skin has a different thickness and pH from human skin, and human shampoo, including baby shampoo, is far too harsh. The AKC agrees that people shampoo does not have the right pH for dogs.
• No dish soap. WSU notes that dish soap or your own shampoo may remove dirt and odor but also strips natural oils and may irritate the skin.
• Gentle and fragrance-free for routine baths. VCA calls a hypoallergenic shampoo without added perfumes the best choice for routine bathing, and suggests asking your vet which shampoo is best for your dog.
• Oatmeal for itchy skin, if your vet agrees. The AKC notes that some groomers recommend oatmeal shampoos for pets with itchy skin. Our pick, earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe, is described by earthbath as soap-free and pH-balanced, and the brand says it will not wash off topical flea applications.
• Medicated shampoo only as prescribed. VCA explains that medicated shampoos treat a specific skin condition, often need a set contact time (commonly 10 minutes) before rinsing, and are used on a schedule your vet sets, often weekly.

How to bathe your dog without drying out its skin

1. Brush first. VCA says to brush out burrs and tangles before bathing, because tangles can become impossible to remove after a bath, and the ASPCA says to comb or cut out all mats first. WSU explains that wet fur mats more than dry fur.
2. Get everything ready. Shampoo, a washcloth or rubber washing brush, and plenty of towels within arm’s reach. You will get wet.
3. Use warm water. VCA recommends warm water for comfort and because shampoo cleans better in it, and says cold water from a garden hose is often why dogs dislike baths. The AKC says warm, not hot.
4. Wet and lather to the skin. Work the shampoo through the whole coat: belly, under the tail, legs and paws, under the neck and around the ears. On long coats, work in the direction the hair grows to avoid tangles (AKC). VCA notes that diluting shampoo in water can make it easier to apply and rinse on thick coats, if your shampoo’s label allows it.
5. Keep water out of the eyes and ears. The AKC suggests cotton balls in the ears during the bath. The AKC says keeping a dog’s ears dry and clean can help prevent infections, so dry them afterwards. See how to clean your dog’s ears.
6. Rinse thoroughly. This is the step people rush. The ASPCA says to rinse all soap out, or dirt will stick to the residue, and VCA’s medicated-shampoo guide says not to leave residual shampoo on the skin.
7. Condition if you like. VCA says a conditioning product after shampooing restores lost moisture and helps minimize dandruff after the bath.
8. Dry and keep warm. Towel dry well. If you use a blow dryer, the AKC says to avoid the hottest setting and hold it at least a foot away. Keep your dog in a warm room until completely dry.

Between baths

For most dogs, brushing does more for the coat than bathing. A groomer quoted by the AKC says thorough brushing, combing and conditioning are more integral to a pet’s health than bath time, and the ASPCA says frequent brushing keeps your dog clean and reduces shedding. Our dog and cat grooming buying guide covers which brush suits which coat, and the best deshedding tools for dogs covers double coats. A damp washcloth handles muddy paws and dusty short coats without a full bath.

FAQ

Is it OK to bathe my dog once a week?

For many healthy dogs, yes, with a gentle dog shampoo. WSU’s veterinary hospital says a weekly bath with veterinary shampoo is generally safe, while also warning that bathing too often can strip protective oils. Most dogs do not need it that often. If your dog’s skin gets dry or itchy, bathe less often and ask your vet.

How often should I bathe a puppy?

Only when needed. VCA says puppies being house-trained that soil themselves should be bathed right away. Use a shampoo made for dogs and check its label for any minimum age, and ask your vet at the puppy checkups if you are unsure.

Can I use human shampoo or baby shampoo on my dog?

No. VCA says dog skin has a different thickness and pH from human skin, and human shampoo, including baby shampoo, is far too harsh. Use a shampoo formulated for dogs.

Why does my dog still smell soon after a bath?

Check the rinse first: the ASPCA says dirt sticks to soap residue left in the coat. If your dog still needs frequent baths to smell normal, VCA advises talking to your vet, who may suggest a different shampoo or check for a skin problem.

Should I bathe a double-coated dog often?

No. The AKC says thick double coats need fewer baths but a lot of brushing, and VCA suggests baths in spring or fall during seasonal shedding.