How often do you bathe your babies?
 

I have a question about Bathing my 4 girls. I have always had yorkies and or dogs.I was always told that you do not have to bathe them unless they get dirty or smell bad. I have ask two different vets and they say the same thing. All my girls and my two other babies are indoors dogs.They do go out every day several times a day but only to potty. They normally do not smell except for when they first come indoors and that smell seems to go away once they cool down in the air condition house. I have always only bathed them maybe once every 2 to 3 months.They do not smell bad in between baths, because if they did I would give them a bath. I brush them every day and have all 5 professinally groomed every month. But I do not have her bathe them. It saves me about $20.00 per dog. Should I be bathing them more often? Even if they do not smell. They do not have oily or dry hair.Just soft normal hair. I always have used J.J. baby shampoo and I use a wash cloth on there face and belly. It seems to work well and they all smell like little babies, like they are. I just do not know if I am making a mistake by bathing them less frequently. Or by using Baby shampoo. I did have a problem with my Rosie, her hair seemed oily, so I took her to the vet.She said that sometimes it is a sign of a parasite, she did a stool sample and she had whip worms . Once she was treated, and all of the others as well. Her hair was soft and wonderful looking again. But I would bathe her every few days until I figured something must have been wrong. I would appreciate any info on this. Thanks.

You should really not be using JJ baby shampoo, it's not the best for them. A good dog shampoo is better. I use the plush puppy line, but there are many to choose from. I have to bath Sofia once or sometimes twice a week, because I keep her in long coat, and she is very small and short, she starts to smell like pee very quickly. Some times a bath wipe will do, but if not, it's a quick bath for her. I think if they don't smell and they skin is ok, you're ok to wait a week or two at least. I don't know about going 2 or 3 months though. I know Sofia could never go that long.

Odie-man gets bathed roughly every two weeks, unless he starts to smell bad.
He is an inside pooch and maybe only runs around outside for 20 minutes a day. [He doesn't like the Florida heat and humidity LOL]

As far as shampoo goes, I use the people shampoo White Rain. 1) He has sensitive skin and that seems to help eliminate any irritation he gets 2) its cheap 3) it makes him smell pretty =)

I bathe Kaji every Sunday. He's 100% inside everyday, not by our choice. Still, he gets his weekly bath, and I will wash his face if it gets to musty (a combination smell of kibble and whatever naughty things he gets into). As long as you use a good dog shampoo, it will not harm them to be bathed weekly. JJ Baby shampoo is made to have a pH balance appropriate for a human babies skin, it's not balanced for furbaby skin/hair. Dog owners should really avoid human shampoos for their dogs. Just because it says gentle it doesn't mean it's gentle for furbaby skin.

Edited to add: As long as your babies skin and hair is healthy, I don't see why you would have to change your routine. If once every few months works for you go for it. Personally, I find that anything longer than a week makes Kaji's hair look a little greasy.

I bath Rosie about once a week. I have had people tell me that I am bathing her too much but I like her smelling good! She also has the longer hair and will smell if I don't bath her. I just purchased the Yorkie Splash and Shine to use. I hope it works well. :) But I think once a week is best for her.

My boys are in full coat and need baths once a week. If they get really dirty on our walks, they get a bath sooner.

I agree with DvlshAngel that whatever works for your babies is fine. However, I am also in agreement with CathyS that gentler, dog formulated products would be better.

Lexi gets a bath once a week too. We use Yorkie Splash she smells so good and it makes her so soft and shiny. She goes to the groomers every couple of months and they say I am doing a great job and her skin is not dry at all.

I bathe mine every Sunday.

Gez, every 2-3 months? Wish I was so lucky :D I bathe mine every week.

One has long fine hair and the other I keep shorter because it's so thick. Even when I think they don't look so dirty - it amazes me how dirty the water is when I'm rinsing the shampoo out. :eek:

And to be honest, they're not really thrilled when I tell them it's bath time but once it's all over - you can tell how much better they feel. :thumbup:

I, too, only use products designed for dogs.

One of the vets at our location told me I bathed them too often too but he doesn't have a Yorkie :D

I agree that you can tell how much better they feel. My Max gets really cranky when he is dirty. :p

Glad to know we aren't the only ones who leave a ring in the bathtub. :D

bathing
 

Thanks for all of the input on bathing my babies. I bathed all 6 yesterday because they had grooming appointments this morning. And Professional pictures on Sunday. While bathing them I thought I would look to see if the water looked dirty, I looked clean. I am sure they were dirty but you could not tell by the water. I asked the girl that grooms them every month if I should bath more often, she said keep doing what you are doing. I keep them short. But then again they do get in the pool in the back yard also so that could be helping as well. I made a point to do the ole sniff test before bath time (while Kissing on them on the way to the kitchen sink) All I could smell was fabric softener, from them sleeping in our bed. Thanks for all the help.

If your routine works, why would you want to tamper with it? Sounds like you are doing something right!!!

I also bathe my 5 doggies every week; the 4 girls sleep with me (usually on my pillow) so I like them clean and fresh cause they are so near to my face. I love the smell of Pet Silk Rainforest Conditioner, so look forward to that for the first few days after their bath.

I bath her min a week and maximum 2 weeks. It depends if she smells and how busy i am. But normally it doesnt go more than 2 weeks. But i would find hard to bath 6 dogs every week!! WOw THAT alot!
so if i had that many dogs i would probably not bath them as often as once a week. I dont think that there is anything wrong rather than they might smell.

Phoebe gets hers every Saturday:D

I got Yorkie Splash and Yorkie Shine last week and I liked it so much that I went ahead and orders more. GREAT STUFF

Mine get a bath whenever they need one. Since they are outside a lot and love digging their way to China they need it about once a week. Maggie gets a bath more often b/c of her allergies. I wished I were so lucky to have to bath them only every 2 or 3 months!!!!!

I give him a bath everytime he poops and accidentally gets it on him or pees and steps in it..usually cause the puppy pad moves. So basically atleast once every 3 days. I found a great conditioner too that keeps him moisturized and coat soo soft. We just really need to keep him clean caause he's on our beds often and we kiss him a lot!:animal36

I wish I had the luxury of bathing so infrequently! I usually bathe mine about every 8-14 days otherwise she starts to get smelly and greasy. :( Sometimes I do an "express bath" - which is where I just wash her feet and face since those are what get dirty/start to smell first! If I do that I can extend the days inbetween baths.

greasy hair and baths
 

I use to have a problem with My Rosie getting greasy and would bathe her weekly, until I took her to the vet because none of the other ones never had greasy hair. The vet said that greasy hair is a sign of something, Sure enough she had whip worm. she was treated alsong with all of the others and no more greasy hair. If they smell at all I would bathe them more often but they don't.

Hey Brenda,
As we spoke about, I try to bathe mine every 2 weeks. With them being almost 5lbs each they tend to get wet all the time during our a.m. walks and whenever the grass is wet from the rain. 2 weeks is just about te time they start to get a little ripe. Although they are going on 3 weeks right now and they definitely are ready-mom has just been too lazy. Lol

My guys are in full coat, every 7 to 14 days during the summer, depending on what the "rollinthegroundflavoroftheday" is :D
During the winter, we'll sometimes go three weeks so their coats don't get dried out from the washing.

I bathe Vinnie about once each week, more if needed. I do this mainly because he sleeps in our bed, so it's probably more for our health than his. I use a mild natural oatmeal & honey shampoo that I get at my local natural dog store. I don't use conditioner on him, just shampoo. Sometimes in the winter I wash him a little less to prevent his skin from getting dry.

Tink get a bath at least once a week. I like her to smell good and she seems to enjoy being clean.

Violet seems to be making quite a few messes so far. We have been bathing about every three days. I hope it isn't too much!

Kali girl
 

I also bathe Kali girl once every week to 2 weeks. She goes outside and plays with my Rottweiler and gets stinky. So I cannot stand It very long she is to much of a diva.

Every week - 2 the most. Mine are indoor dogs too and I love it when they smell good. They seem to love feeling clean also. But hen again, I only have two. If I had 6 I would probably think about it - but like everyone else said - if it works for you and you and they are happy - why change it.

Beamer gets bathed once a week. Lil Bit gets bathed when she needs it, she spends most of the time indoors, and doesn't roll in the grass like Beamer does.

U got me !!!
 

Lol !!! U got me at 2-3 month for baths !!!!!:(
I bathe or have them bathe every 2 weeks . They sleep w me :D
bark@ulater!!!!!
manina,miley:aimeeyorkmax:aimeeyorksasha:aimeeyork