How often do I have to bathe a dog?

We as humans bathe or take a shower every day (sometimes more often), and wonder about the hygiene of our pets.

When do I bathe a puppy for the first time?

The answer is easy – when it is needed. There of course shouldn’t be a rush, as the mother takes care of the puppy’s hygiene herself. The problem begins usually after weaning the puppies from the mother, because as she stops feeding she also stops cleaning. For as long as possible, instead of bathing, you can clean the puppy with a delicate cloth moistened in warm water with the shampoo for puppies. For the bath use the products suitable for puppies: the natural shampoo for the young Totobi which contains delicate ingredients which are nourishing and relaxing for the puppy. The bath alone will not hurt the puppy, but catching a cold during or after the bath may. Bathe the little one in a warm, draft-free room; dry him carefully and under no circumstances let him go outside. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on many factors, including his race, hair, health, and the level of his activity, as well as where this activity is taking place.

Coat length

The length of your dog’s coat is the determining factor in how often he requires a bath. However, it is not as simple as ‘the shorter the hair, the less bath they require’. Hairless species, such as Chinese Crested dog are in fact quite demanding – they require a bath every week. Races with a long coat such as Maltese and Collie may require bath from every week up to every four weeks, as long as the coat is properly kept in between the baths. The cleanness in between the baths may be easier with the use of the Natural Dry Shampoo Totobi. After each walk you can use the Natural cleaning gel for cleaning after each walk for cleaning the feet and chassis.  Thick or double coats of races such as Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Siberian Husky, etc. can manage with less amount of baths and with much combing. For their baths use products based on natural oils, e.g. Totobi natural soaps which are rich in coconut oil, grape seed oil and moisturizing vegetable glycerin.

Health

 Frequent baths may be necessary if the dog has a yeast or bacterial skin infection, allergies which cause itchy skin, an oily coat or a very dry or dull coat with flaky skin.

Is anyone in your house allergic to dogs?

If yes, you should bathe and clean them as frequently as possible. It will help remove the dandruff that gathers on the animal’s fur. Dirty and poorly kept fur is the habitat of bacteria and allergens which may be an excellent basis for the development of parasites endangering both the dog and his family

Is your dog allergic?

Unlike people who absorb most environmental allergens through the nose and mouth, dogs tend to absorb allergens through the skin. Weekly baths may prevent the aching, by removing the allergens before they have the chance to penetrate through the skin. It is important to choose adequate products for the allergic animals, like: Natural hypoallergenic shampoo Totobi. Bath is a great opportunity to conduct a precise  inspection on the condition of the skin and hair because when the hair are moist and when they lay, you can see the things that you would otherwise miss. The changes visible during those inspections should be passed to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Activities

Do you take your dog to a park? Does your dog play in the sand or in the ground? Does your dog roll in the grass? And what about sniffing the cigarette butts, pooping or drooling? Well, If you have a normal dog, then that is probably what he does. If your dog lives with you, or more importantly sleeps in your bed, or if your dog sits on your couch, then you probably do not want him to bring dirt, poop, insects and other dirty things on your sofa. If your dog enters a room and you can sense when he smells bad – he need a bath. If you dog is covered in dirt or a dry mud, the best solution is to comb him (outdoors, if possible!) and then to bathe him. We should bathe our dogs whenever we can no longer cuddle them. And so, the best frequency  of baths depends on the cause of the bath. The newest bathing products do not damage the fur, on the contrary, they nourish, moisturize and improve its condition. Never use shampoos for humans, including the ones for babies, to wash the dogs, because they have a high pH and they damage and dry the hair. And after the bath a fresh, pleasantly smelling dog that you can hug with no worries and who has lots of love.