How often should I bathe my dog?

The short answer is: as often as necessary.

Contrary to popular belief, bathing your dog can be a weekly or even twice per week experience you both can enjoy. In fact, more than 90% of WashPaw members stop by for a self-serve or full bath every 1 to 2 weeks. Their skins and coats look as healthy and shiny as they can be, and parents enjoy having a doggy-smell-free home.

Our members are able to do this because of our shampoos and conditioners. We follow one simple rule: we only buy and use those products made with ingredients of the highest quality. Our suppliers know this and they stay away whenever they have a product to pitch that does not meet our standards of health and safety.

What we help you stay away from

All kinds of problems erupt when you use commercial products packed full of chemicals and abrasives. These unsafe products cause a drastic reduction in your friend's natural skin oil levels and alter its normal pH. If you are not careful you can unleash an itchy and painful domino effect:

1. Your friend's skin will become dry and scaly.
2. This triggers scratching. 
3. Skin irritation follows, which causes odor and pain.
4. Your friend's coat also suffers. Your dog's nails cut and damage hair follicles. 
5. Infections are born. Oils are now getting mixed with skin's natural protective fluids erupting from the abrasion. 

We understand grooming salons use these products because they yield more baths per gallon. But we don't want them and sure won't pay for them.  You shouldn't either.

We pay attention to labels

Do not fall for dog shampoo manufacturer's selling tactic. They can call their products "natural", "Earth-bound" or "Earth-friendly". But all these are just nice-sounding marketing terms that do not guarantee high quality. 

Take your time and look at the ingredients list and read the label. Your goal is to find a shampoo or conditioner that has 100% natural or at least 90% organic ingredients.

Our suppliers know we don't want products packed-full of preservatives, alcohols, or any of what we call "the nasty 3":

1. Soaps or dyes.
2. SLS, phthalates, or parabens.
3. Detergents.

Every 4 weeks at the most

We understand (and your friend does too) that life is hectic. But, if you can't make it at least a bi-weekly activity, don't go more than 4 weeks without bathing your friend. The accumulation of oils and debris are the primary causes of itching and skin irritation in dogs, as well as that lingering "doggy-smell" around your home.