How Often Should I Bathe My Wrinkly Dog?
Have you ever wondered how often you should bathe your wrinkly dog? Well, you're not alone. In fact, it's a question that many dog owners ask themselves. When it comes to wrinkly dogs, in particular, regular bathing is important but bathing too often is not good for their skin. So the question remains, how often should you bathe your doggo, and how often is too often? In this article, we will answer that question once and for all and share tips for keeping your wrinkly dog's skin clean and protected.
How Often to Bathe a Wrinkly Dog
If you have been trying to figure out how often to bathe your dog, you might be completely confused by the conflicting information that is available online. You have probably read or heard everything from once a week to once every 6-8 weeks to 2 times a year to never because dogs groom themselves.
All dogs groom themselves with their tongues. Self-grooming, however, is not enough to keep them fully clean. Wrinkly dogs such as English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs are prone to getting dirt and debris stuck in their skin folds and wrinkles. It is important to keep their skin folds and wrinkles clean and dry to prevent irritation or infection, however, bathing too often can strip essential oils from their skin and cause them to get dry and flaky. A good rule of thumb is to bathe them when they need a bath. For wrinkly dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, bathing once a week or once every couple of weeks might be necessary. If they spend most of their time indoors, a bath every 6 to 8 weeks is ok.
Signs Your Dog Needs a Bath
To determine whether or not it is time for a bath consider the following:
- Do they smell bad?
- Are they dirty or excessively sweaty from playing outside?
- Do they have dirt or debris stuck in their skin folds or are their wrinkles showing signs of irritation?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it is probably time for a bath.
Tips for Keeping Your Dog's Skin and Fur Clean and Protected
When it is time to bathe your dog, choose a mild, hypoallergenic shampoo that was made specifically for dogs. Human shampoos often have ingredients that dogs are allergic to. Wrinkly dogs are more prone to allergies, so it is particularly important to use products that do not contain common allergens such as lavender, aloe, lanolin, and fragrance.
After bathing your dog, be sure to dry it thoroughly from head to toe so that none of the water gets trapped in their wrinkles and folds. When water stays between the skin folds and wrinkles it can cause the skin to become irritated and even lead to a yeast infection.
In between baths, use Squishface Wrinkle Wipes to keep your doggo clean. Our alcohol-free formula is gentle enough for even the most sensitive and allergy-prone dogs and can prolong the time in between baths.
After your dog is clean and dry use Squishface Wrinkle Paste to protect their skin and prevent it from becoming dry and flaky. Wrinkle Paste forms a water-repellent barrier on the skin surface which keeps moisture, yeast, fungus, and other bacteria away.
The Bottom Line
The question of how often to bathe your dog can be answered by determining how your dog looks and smells. It is a good idea to bathe your dog no more than every couple of weeks to prevent their skin from becoming dry and flaky. In between baths, use Squishface Wrinkle Wipes to clean their skin folds and wrinkles and follow up with Squishface Wrinkle Paste to protect their skin.
