Knowing when to wash your dog

In our store, we see it all. We have the customers who come in nearly every week and then we have those who we'll only see when their dog has rolled in something and they can no longer stand the smell. But we are often asked, "How often should I wash my dog in order to keep them healthy, soft and shiny?"

The answer is ... "It depends."

The ASPCA suggests washing your dog at least once every three months, but there are so many factors and variables affecting this. First, is your dog's hair short and fine or long and thick; what shampoo/conditioner are you using; are you using it consistently; does your dog have any skin allergies; and, where do you live?

There are some breeds, such as Huskies, that can go up to half a year between baths without experiencing any overall skin and coat health deterioration, but that doesn't mean one should only bath their dog that often. Dogs with finer, shorter hair will need more frequent washes as they tend to experience dryer skin. Dogs with longer hair may need to be groomed every four to six weeks to avoid tangles and mats, though frequent brushing may help to extend to eight weeks, or so.

Too frequent bathing can actually have the unintended affect of striping the dog's coat of its natural oils, thus, causing hair to lose it shine and the dog's skin to dry.

Dry skin on dogs is a particularly significant problem for areas higher in elevation, like Colorado Springs. It's important to use a high-quality moisturizing shampoo that doesn't have dyes or parabens (a chemical used a preservative in shampoos, cosmetics and moisturizers) as these will further dry your dog's skin. At The Phur Seasons Pet Spa, we use earthbath products that are all-natural, with many using cocoanut oil as a base moisturizer.

Our recommendation is a bath or groom every four to eight weeks, but watch and feel your dog's coat and skin. If the fur feels brittle, dry and tangled, it's probably time.