Can I wash my bulldog every week

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?

For a lot of new dog owners, it can be difficult to determine how often you should bathe your puppy or adult dog. The truth is, the answer depends on a lot of factors.

How frequently a pet needs a bath greatly varies based upon their breed, lifestyle, length of coat, and how much homework a pet owner is willing to do, says Beth Cristiano, owner of Pretty Paws LLC, headquartered in Harrison, N.Y.

Whats Your Dogs Coat Type?

The type of coat your dog has is a big factor in how often they require baths. However, its not as simple as the shorter the hair, the less bathing required. Hairless breeds, such as the Chinese Crested and the Xoloitzcuintli, are actually quite care-intensive, according to Cristiano, who says these breeds require weekly baths.

At the other end of the spectrum are the long-coated breeds, such as the Maltese and the Collie. Obviously, the more hair a dog has, the more work is involved, including the frequency of the bath, says JorgeBendersky, a celebrity doggroomer, pet expert, and best-selling author of DIY DogGrooming, From Puppy Cuts to Best in Show: Everything You Need to Know. He adds, For dogs with medium-to-large coats, a bath could be needed from weekly to every four to six weeks, as long as the coat is properly maintained in-between baths.

But a breed such as the Puli, which is technically long-haired, is not bathed as often when corded. According to the Puli Club of America, the Puli doesnt develop that typical doggie odor, and really, a Puli probably doesnt require as many baths as most other breeds.

So, what about dogs that fall somewhere in the middle? Thick or double coats on breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, etc., naturally insulate the dogs seasonally, explains Monica Handy ofWoofiesMobile Pet Spa. Overbathing could strip too much oil from the skin and disrupt this process. Using a product specifically for shedding will help avoid this.

Does Your Dog Have Specific Health Conditions?

If your dog suffers from certain health conditions, your groomer and/or veterinarian may suggest that you use medicated shampoo while bathing your dog. Even if your canine companion is healthy, a grooming regimen usingproducts like de-shedding tools and brushes helps keep them that way. All pets benefit from monthly ear cleaning and nail trimming, Cristiano comments. Thorough coat-brushing and combing and conditioning are more integral to the pets health than bathtime.

Then, theres the health of the owner. Sometimes the bath is for the humans comfort, not the pets, Cristiano continues. For owners who suffer from allergies, theyll typically react to their pets dander, which can be managed with a weekly bathing routine. A dander-removing shampoo may also help manage human allergies.

Whats Your Dogs Lifestyle?

Bendersky notes that an active lifestyle may be easier with a short-coated breed, given that keeping the dog clean in-between baths typically requires less effort. You can get away with giving short-haired dogs a good rubdown with a damp washcloth to remove the dirt that was picked up during a busy visit to the dog park, he says.

Of course, dogs that are playing in oceans, hunting in muddy waters, or herding sheep all day may end up needing more baths than pups that spend most of their time indoors regardless of the breed.

At the end of the day, Bendersky offers this advice: We should wash our dogs when they are no longer huggable.

How To Properly Bathe A Bulldog

VETs Edition for Non-VETs!

Did you know your dogs coat is full of natural oils? These provide both protective and waterproof functions, so while you might want to bathe your Bulldog every week to help him smell fresh, bathing too frequently might be detrimental.

Bulldog Bathing Why properly?

So, it is important to learn how often and with what you should bathe him, to keep his coat in tip-top condition.

Learn how to bathe your Bulldog correctly, while applying the perfect technique and using the most suitable products for a healthier coat and a happier Bulldog!

So, it is important to learn how often and with what you should bathe him with, to keep his coat in tip-top condition.

Learn how to bathe your Bulldog correctly, while applying the perfect technique and using the most suitable products for a healthier coat and a happier Bulldog!

Why should you bathe your Bulldog?

Reason #1 Bulldogs are prone to skin infections

This can make them smelly when normally theyre not at all.

Reason #2 They are a low to moderate shedding breed

Are you occasionally finding hair around the house? Bathing can help minimize this.

Reason #3 Reducing Bulldogs shedding may help your allergies as well!

Reason #4 Occasional baths will help

It will help keep the skin in good condition, smelling great and soothing.

Reason #5 It helps to keep him in good health

Keeping Bulldogs clean is vital because is the easiest way of avoiding skin diseases, yeast infections, fungus, and other skin issues.

Follow our Practical (and Easy) Steps and you will minimize skin diseases, allergies, and minimize shedding.

Say goodbye to itchy, smelly, allergic, super-shedding Bulldogs, and hairy furniture just by giving your pup a proper bath by using the proper technique!

How Often Should I Bathe My Bulldog?

First of all, you need to know that Bulldogs shouldnt actually bathe so often. Unless your Bulldog has an underlying skin condition that requires more frequent bathing, once every month is enough.

If he gets dirty within that time, you can rinse him off with warm water alone.

Bulldogs coats and skin have natural oils in them which helps to keep it at the most ideal moist levels, as well as providing protection and waterproofing.

Bathing more frequently than once per week strips all the oils from the coat, which can lead to poor quality, dry skin, and hair.

Of course, theres no rule if your Bulldog ended up playing in the mud, or stained his coat with some food.

You can bathe him on a need-to basis in that case, with or without shampoo, but after that, you should wait a month to do it again.

Also, if the puppy or dog has developed a skin disease and needs the use of a special shampoo to bathe him, you have to follow the vets advice.

Bathing your Bulldog is a technique that you should learn to do effectively.

It can be very beneficial to your Bulldogs skin and coat if not done too often, and when combined with frequent grooming, your Bulldog will have a smooth, shiny coat with minimal loose hairs.

Too-frequent washing removes natural oils and causes the coat to become dry and harsh.
AKC American Kennel Club.

How to Bathe My Bulldog: Practical And Easy STEPS!

Bulldogs are tend to dislike water. Thats why you should introduce them to baths in a safe and fun environment, from a young age.

Dont bathe them in tall tables as they can get scared and try to jump off.

Ideal places to try to bathe them include kitchen sinks, bathtubs, laundry tubs, and even outside with a hose in summer.

Step #1 Prepare the bathing area (with all the stuff you will need)

Dog shampoo, conditioner (optional), a dog scrubbing brush, a grooming-mitt, dog earplugs or cotton balls to keep the water outside the ears while bathing, a couple of towels and washcloths, wrinkle cleaning wipes, and an anti-slip mat.

Remove everything else as it will get in the way if your Bulldog decides to struggle.

Step #2 Do some brushing

This is done to remove all the loose and dead hairs off before the bath. Theyre going to fall anyway, but they might get in the way while applying the shampoo for Bulldogs.

Youll also save some shampoo, instead of wasting it cleaning dead hairs. Once youre done, you can place in the dog earplugs or the cotton wool inside the ears.

Do not put it in too deeply. This will help to reduce the water from entering the ears, which can lead to a moist environment that is perfect for bacterial growth.

Step #3 Let the water flow

Start filling the sink, bathtub, laundry tub, or turn on the hose. Make sure water is a little bit warm by testing it with your elbow or inner wrist.

Water too cold or too hot not only may cause skin issues, but will also cause your Bulldog discomfort. Now get your Bulldog thoroughly wet all the way down to the skin.

Step #4 Apply the dog shampoo

Add a fair amount of shampoo to every part of your Bulldogs body. Massage it in deeply with your hands and fingers.

If your Bulldog is an adult, then you should get some help with the scrubbing brush, which will help you get deep inside the thick coat.

Soak the washcloths; use one to clean inside the wrinkles (softly but deeply) and the other one to clean up the dogs belly and genitals. When youre done, wash off the shampoo entirely.

Step #5 Apply the dog conditioner

Pour enough conditioner throughout its body, and massage following the instructions in the label.

Wash off the air conditioner entirely as well. If you have moisturizing dog shampoo, conditioner is not always necessary.

Step #6 Clean other areas

This is a great opportunity to thoroughly clean other areas such as the eyes, nose, and ears. You can find practical (and easy) tips for these techniques in our guides section.

Step #7 Do the drying part

Use the towel to dry off the excess water. Remember to remove the cotton ball from their ears if you havent cleaned their ears already.

You dont have to dry him completely since dogs dont mind being a little wet. Bulldogs have short hair so they wont stay wet for long.

If you need him to be dry, then you can use a hairdryer to do it faster but ensure it is at a low-level temperature.

A pets skin has a different pH balance than humans. Your shampoo will be drying to them.
Jocelyn Robles Professional Groomer

Extra tip: Watch out for wrinkles and paws. Bulldogs Wrinkles can be a prime area for infections when they are moist, so you should dry them off with wipes or tissue.

Make sure you dont leave any moisture behind in these areas! Also, make sure to dry the gaps between their toes.

How to Keep My Bulldog Clean Between Baths: Helpful Tips

Bulldogs have a low to moderate shedding coats, but that wont stop your couches from becoming covered in hair. Avoid that with these tips:

Tip #1 Brush, brush, brush

If you make grooming a habit every day of the week, then youll keep your Bulldog clean in between baths. The best way of doing this is by brushing your Bulldogs coat with our grooming tips. If youre tired of brushing, then you should get a grooming mitt. Check out some tips on brushing your Bulldogs coat!

Tip #2 Pet-wipes

Pet wipes are a good touch-up cleaning option for Bulldogs. These are excellent for keeping your Bulldogs body and wrinkles clean and smelling good. Purchase ones with natural ingredients to avoid any allergy or rash on your Bulldogs skin.

Tip #3 Natural spray perfume for dogs

These are like human perfumes but specially crafted for dogs hair. They are useful for keeping your Bulldog smelling wonderful. Just occasionally spritz it on. But make sure to keep it natural!

Tip #4 Clean your dogs bed

If your Bulldogs bed isnt clean, as well as everything he touches, he wont be clean either. Make sure to clean everything in contact with him, all of his favorite places in your house, and the floor in general. This will help you keep him clean longer. Check-out our Ultimate Guide to Bulldog-Proof your Home!

Tip #5 Limit his contact with dirty water, mud, and others

Keep your Bulldog away from dirty water, mud, and dirt. If you play with him outside and he gets dirty, rinse him off with warm water.

Tip #6 Keep his water sources clean

The water he drinks cannot have food traces from his last meal. Make sure to clean his water bowl every time. Check-out our Best Bowls for Bulldogs!

Tip #7 Feed him with dry food

Dried food is better for your Bulldog generally; it keeps his teeth healthy, his poop dry, and himself cleaner. He also wont make a mess while eating it! Another important thing is choosing the right food for Bulldogs. That will keep him flatulence-free so the smell wont stick to his bed or toys.

Tip #8 Keep your Bulldogs anal glands clean

Anal glands are fetid smell sources for dogs, Bulldogs included. Most grooming services and veterinarians include this practice, but you can learn to do it safely by yourself at home with these Grooming wipes for Bulldogs.

Tip #9 Keep his mouth clean

If your dog has bad breath, the smell will stick to everything he licks and drools on. Brush your dogs teeth with dog toothpaste, and never human toothpaste, since its toxic for dogs. Dental chews for Bulldogs are also a nice option. Learn more about Bulldogs tooth care!

Tip #10 Keep his ears clean

Dogs ears are a common place for yeast infections. Keep your Bulldogs ears clean by wiping them regularly and cleaning them deeper occasionally. Check-out our Special Selection of ear wipes for Bulldogs or cotton balls along with an ear cleaner solution for Bulldogs (without alcohol to avoid itchiness).

All of these tips can help you keep your Bulldog clean between baths easily!

Useful Products to keep My Bulldog clean!

Check-out Our Detailed Reviews for Bulldogs to pick the best product for your Bulldog. We have invested time and effort to ease your buying decision!

Product #1 Shampoo for Bulldogs

How to pick the right one? Bulldogs coat is really thick, and with the accumulated dirt and oil, it can become a rather difficult coat to wash with the wrong shampoo. Plant-based shampoo with aloe vera, natural oils, and natural perfumes is always the best pick. Aloe vera is extremely beneficial for your Bulldogs skin and coat, and the natural oils will enhance their coats protection. Also, look for a pH between 6.5 and 7, because other pHs can be harmful to your Bulldogs skin by causing imbalances.

Product #2 Hair Conditioner for Bulldogs

look for one that does not contain any harmful chemicals which prevent skin irritation, suitable for dogs with normal, dry, or sensitive skin.

Product #3 Grooming Gloves for Bulldogs

Thanks to some designs with individual fingers, some of them offer you a comfy tool to eliminate the excess of hair on your Bulldogs coat. Easy to use, great for bathing Bulldogs!

Product #4 Grooming Wipes for Bulldogs

There are some top-notch options out there! They come in several variants, including Allergen Blocker wipes. They are superb for keeping your Bulldog smelling nice between baths! We always like them smelling nice for hugs and kisses!

Product #5 Deshedding Tools for Bulldogs

Product #6 Dental Chews for Bulldogs

This will keep your Bulldogs teeth and breath on point, with an easily digestible natural recipe and great flavor. Also, it will keep him entertained for a while.

Product #7 Toothpaste for Bulldogs There are many flavorings, some of them come filled with enzymes to offer an extra-deep clean and anti-bacterial effect.

Product #8 Treats for Bulldogs

They are always good resources for training!

Product #9 Anti-slip mat for Bulldogs (Amazon)

Frequently Asked Questions: Bulldog Bathing Schedule

How long should I leave the shampoo on my Bulldogs coat?

Youll want to leave it on for about four to five minutes, while gently massaging your Bulldogs whole body. Make sure to hit every spot before rinsing with water.

Which is the optimal water temperature to bathe my Bulldog?

For Bulldogs, water temperature should be between 34C to 37C (93F to 98.6F). Anything above 37C is too warm for them and will harm them.

How should I dry my Bulldog?

To dry a Bulldog properly youll need some patience. Keep a ton of towels around to dry him out the good old fashioned way; some squeeze the water out of his coat. Do it gently and maybe even play a little so your friend enjoys the experience!

Conclusion

Bathing your Bulldog can be a highly entertaining experience for both of you. However, its important to plan baths, use the proper place, and the right products for your Bulldog.

There are many generic soaps or shampoos for dogs that can harm your Bulldogs skin. Moreover, your Bulldog doesnt need to be allergic to this to happen.

Also, even though this is a great bonding and fun experience, it can turn into a scary experience for your Bulldog if an accident happens. Thats why we recommend planning ahead.