Is there such a thing as bathing a dog too often?
Yes, you can bathe a dog too often. It depends on factors like the dog's age, breed, coat type, and how dirty they are. We recommend at least a monthly bath for regular hygiene, but some dogs may need a cleanup bath in between. For puppies, dilute their puppy shampoo with water for those cleanup baths to avoid stripping the oils too much from their skin. Always use a dog shampoo; avoid human shampoos or dish soap, which can dry out the skin too much. Check the skin in between baths for any signs of dryness or flaking.
Dr. Madelyn Lloyd
Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
Is it better to groom your dog at home or have it done by a professional groomer?
We recommend having your pet professionally groomed regularly. For longer coat dogs, like Shih Tzus or Yorkies, go every 2-4 weeks depending on hair growth. For short breed dogs, like Dobermans, go every 6 weeks for brushing, bathing, and grooming. Between professional grooms, perform regular care at home like combing out hair, trimming nails, and giving baths as needed.
Does my dog need to be vaccinated and on flea control to go to the groomer?
Most professional groomers require pets to be fully vaccinated and on flea control. Vaccinations protect your pet from coming into contact with unseen diseases while at the grooming facility. Flea control is essential for all pets, whether they live inside or outside, as fleas can be easily transmitted. We recommend flea and tick coverage year-round for all pets.
If my dog has behavioral problems, will they be welcomed by a groomer?
Most groomers are trained to work with behavioral issues or nervous dogs, so they should be able to handle these situations. Some pets may need oral anxiety medication for grooming or veterinary visits, which can be discussed with your veterinarian. More extreme cases may require a light sedative to make the pet sleepy and manageable for grooming, particularly for breed-specific grooming needs such as de-matting.
If you have any specific questions regarding dog grooming, please consult your veterinarian or grooming professional.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (601) 856-3589, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media https://www.facebook.com/RidgetowneAnimalClinic/, https://www.instagram.com/ridgetowneanimal/
Dog Grooming - FAQs
Dr. Madelyn Lloyd
Ridgetowne Animal Clinic
Is there such a thing as bathing a dog too often?
Yes, you can bathe a dog too often. It depends on factors like the dog's age, breed, coat type, and how dirty they are. A monthly bath is recommended for regular hygiene. However, some dogs may require cleanup baths in between, especially puppies and notorious breeds like labs. For puppies, dilute their puppy shampoo with water for cleanup baths to avoid stripping oils from their skin. Use a dog shampoo and avoid human shampoos or dish soap, as they can dry out the skin.
Is it better to groom your dog at home or have it done by a professional groomer?
It is recommended to have your pet professionally groomed regularly. For longer coat dogs like Shih Tzus or Yorkies, go every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on hair growth. For short breed dogs like Dobermans, go every six weeks for brushing out and bathing. In between professional grooms, perform regular care at home, such as combing hair, trimming nails, and giving baths as needed.
Does my dog need to be vaccinated and on flea control to go to the groomer?
Yes. Most professional groomers require pets to be fully vaccinated to protect them against diseases from other pets. Flea control is essential for pets living inside or outside the house or even just going outside to the groomer or bathroom. Fleas can hitchhike on clothes, so it's recommended to have flea and tick coverage year-round.
If my dog has behavioral problems, will they be welcomed by a groomer?
Most groomers are trained to work with dogs that have behavioral issues or nervousness, so they should be able to handle such situations. In some cases, dogs may need oral anxiety medication for grooming appointments or vet visits. Talk to your veterinarian about this option. In more extreme cases, some pets may require light sedative medication to make them sleepy for grooming.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (601) 856-3589, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media https://www.facebook.com/RidgetowneAnimalClinic/, https://www.instagram.com/ridgetowneanimal/