In a video on his Pablo_Vet TikTok, he said: “If we bathe them too frequently, the skin produces more oil, and there comes a point when the dog will start to smell more.
“So, the solution is to let that skin have a rest. Therefore, bathe them at most once a month, and if you can stretch it out further, all the better. What I recommend is regular brushing, which will keep your dog’s coat clean without any trouble.
Fellow TikTok vet Maria Vetican also believes excessive cleaning can have a problem for dogs. She says soaps in particular can disrupt the natural balance of an animal’s skin.
In a video on the social media platform, she added: “They can dry out their skin and reduce the natural oils that protect them. Washing too frequently can make the skin more susceptible to infections or skin problems.”
However David Aldas, a vet who goes by doctoraldasvet online, says people should consider reducing the frequency even more. He says dogs should be bathed “three to four times a year”.
David says cats should be cleaned even less frequently, possibly only once a year. According to animal welfare charity the Blue Cross, dogs are “better left without being washed for as long as possible”.
It says that unless your dog gets dirty or “rolls in something a bit gross” it is better to leave their natural oils to do “all the hard work”. The charity also stresses that dogs are “pretty great at self-cleaning”.
It says that drop-on flea and worming treatment will also be washed away every time you bathe your dog. It did however say that some dogs with skin conditions could need bathing more frequently, urging people to consult their vet.
When bathing your dog, the charity says it is best to use a specialist dog shampoo as it is gentler on the skin. However baby shampoo can be used as an alternative.
Dog owners are also urged to train their dog for the bath, offering lots of praise and treats if your pet is nervous. If your dog still seems hesitant in the bath, you can smear xylitol-free peanut butter on the tub to distract them as you wash them.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
