How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?

It’s my favorite time at Camp, the Campers are shedding their winter coats and the summer haircuts are on parade. It’s the time when it looks like all the dogs have gone through the witness protection program and have taken on a new identity, one that means summer is coming!

When the weather breaks and the sun is shining the breeze comes through and that’s when it hits you, your dog stinks. Perhaps they’ve been stinky all winter but with the ongoing thaw and freeze you’ve been holding off for that bath until the weather breaks. Good news, the weather has broke.

Owners find their dogs stinky more in the spring and summer months than in the fall and winter due to the increased outdoor activity but how often should you give your dog a bath?

This is one of those questions that really has to be answered on a case by case basis but a good rule of thumb is at least once a month.

If your dog is prone to allergies or severely dry skin, you should consult with your vet before adapting to a grooming scheduling, but if your dog is in the “average” pack, a bath at least once a month is a good rule of thumb.

Nail trims are an entirely different story and in our opinion, you can never have too many nail trims. Dogs nails should be trimmed every 2 weeks, at least, to keep the quick short and your dogs paws in PAW-fect health.

Nails shouldn’t be touching the ground when the dog walks, this can be painful for the dog, cause them to lose traction on the floor or cause the nails to split and break, which can be painful and can increase the risk of infection.

We use an oatmeal based shampoo for our Camper showers, we find it’s a great option for dogs with allergies, those who get bathed regularly, and pretty much everyone else. It’s free of fragrance and dye and is sensitive and moisturizing for your dogs skin and coat.

If you never know when it’s time for a bath or nail trim for your Camper, just give us a shout, and we can help you out. We can even put your Camper on a re-curing bath/nail schedule so you don’t have to remember. If you decide it’s a Camper Shower kind of day for your Camper, just let us know at drop off and we’ll have your Camper nice and fresh by pick up time!