We are often asked whether baby shampoo is fine for a dog and how often should a dog be bathed so we hope this information is of help.

Obviously if your pet has a specific skin condition then please follow the treatment recommendations from your veterinary surgeon. 

The thing to remember is that dogs were originally outdoor animals and are not really suited to our home environments.  A dog's skin can be affected by the heat and humidity in our homes due to central heating, and also from being in contact with man made fibres; all this can help contribute towards greasy or dry skin or even towards that 'doggy' smell that your furry/hairy friend can produce.

Bathing your dog with a good quality dog shampoo can help to maintain a healthy coat.

It is important to note that the pH of human skin is acidic and a dog's skin is mildly alkaline.  This means that using human shampoo on your pet is not recommended, even if it is baby shampoo.

It is important that the shampoo has sufficient contact time to actually do the job it needs to do.  Follow the instructions on the product that you are using but a time of between five to fifteen minutes is ideal.  Make sure you clean all of your pet, especially underneath as if you don't wash properly then the smells will remain!  Protect your pet's face; it's probably best to use a cloth to wipe your pet's face to avoid shampoo going into the ears,eyes and nose.  Remember to wipe your pet's ear flaps as these can get particulary grubby but you must avoid water going down the ear. Another important thing to do is RINSE PROPERLY - if shampoo residue is left on the skin this can cause drying of the skin.   Have plenty of clean towels to help dry your pet.  One useful tip is to do the head last - they only want to start shaking once their head is wet!

How often you wash your pet is up to you.  Keep a check on your pet's skin.  If it's clear and not dry or greasy then you do not need to bath.  If your pet smells then bath.  You will find your own routine, as long as you are using the right shampoo, using the product correctly and rinsing well.