The
Benefits of Bathing Your Dog
Most dog
owners have been led to believe that they should only bathe their dog once a
month or less. The reason given is that
more frequent bathing will cause the dog’s skin or coat to dry out, become irritated,
or otherwise cause harm. However, this
is simply not true! There isn’t any
research or studies that support this belief.
In fact, the opposite is true.
Bathing more often keeps your dog’s skin and coat healthy, clean, and
free of parasites and allergens. Following is a bit more information about the
benefits of bathing your dog.
· Use the correct
shampoo. Never use shampoo meant for people and stay away from shampoos that
contain chemicals. Read the labels!
Look for a gentle, non-toxic, bio-degradable shampoo that has essential oils
and all natural ingredients that you can pronounce and understand what they
are. Avoid DEA, parabens, synthetic dyes, surfactants and synthetic perfumes or
fragrance. Our
favorite brands are Earth Bath and Skout’s Honor.
·
Bathing
your dog frequently – even several times a week –
removes dirt, germs, urine, saliva and odors. If you or a family member has
allergies, keeping your dog clean will help remove such triggers like dust,
pollen, mold, and other allergens so that people will experience less allergic
reactions. It’s interesting that many
people remove their shoes every time they enter their home, yet they only bathe
their dog once a month!
·
If
your dog is prone to allergies or some sort of skin condition, frequent bathing
can be very helpful. Most owners find that their dogs itch much less when they
are bathed often. According to holistic
veterinarian Shawn Messonnier, “For dogs with bacterial, fungal or yeast
infections, ringworm or mange, frequent bathing helps kill the infectious
organisms and parasites. Dogs with bacterial and yeast infections rarely
require antibiotic or anti-fungal drugs if their people can bathe them often.
When dogs are bathed frequently using properly selected shampoos, they usually
do not need conventional medications to treat their skin diseases. Even when
they do, they require much less medication.”
·
Always
use warm, not hot water. Bathing with a
hose in the summer is okay, but in general, dogs don’t like being squirted with
cold water. If you can’t let your dog air-dry, be sure to set the blow dryer on
low or use one designed for dogs.
Bathing
can be a positive bonding experience between you and your dog. Many dogs enjoy
their bath, just like they look forward to a walk. But if the idea of wrestling your dog into
your shower or tub, getting yourself soaking wet, and watching your dog shake
water droplets all over the bathroom is not your idea of fun, then take your
dog to NIlla’s Tub!