How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog? Pet Expert Shares Tips for Healthy Skin and Coat

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A clean dog is a happy dog, but bathing your pet too often could actually do more harm than good.On ABC7 News at Noon, Marsha Panuce, founder of Donte’s Den in Myakka City and host of Animal Outtakes, shared tips to help pet owners keep their dogs clean while protecting their skin and coats.Panuce says one of the biggest misconceptions is that dogs need frequent baths.“I would wash my dogs once a month. I think that is more than enough,” Panuce said. She explained that bathing dogs too often can strip away their natural oils, leaving their skin dry and their coats dull. Overbathing may also reduce the effectiveness of flea and tick medications and contribute to dandruff and other skin issues. For dogs that spend time rolling in the mud, playing in the sand or splashing through puddles, Panuce says owners may need to bathe them more often.“If you have dogs that play in the sand, play in the mud, roll around, you’re going to have to increase the schedule a little