How often should Yorkies be bathed

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

How Often Should A Yorkie Be Bathed (Step-By-Step Guide)

One of the best things about a Yorkshire Terrier is its silky-soft coat. Whether a Yorkie has hair down to the floor or just a bit of fluff, that coat requires a lot of care and attention.

Dont be alarmed! While Yorkies do need a bit of special grooming, its something easily manageable and incredibly rewarding.

With just a few tips and tricks, you will be grooming your Yorkie like a pro.

How often should a Yorkie be bathed?

Because of their fine, hair-like coat and delicate skin, Yorkies should be bathed every 1-2 weeks with a gentle, natural, and moisture-rich shampoo. In between baths, Yorkies must be combed daily, preferably with a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner, to remove knots and prevent matting.

Like many dogs, some Yorkies have more sensitive skin than others. If you notice their skin becoming dry or irritated, reduce the frequency of bathing.

How do you bathe a Yorkie?

As Yorkies have a single coat of long, human-like hair, they require special care when washing.

Here is a step-by-step guide to washing a Yorkshire Terrier the right way.

1. Comb to remove knots and tangles.

Yorkies long, fine hair easily tangles. Not only will your pooch be harder to clean with tangled hair, but without regular brushing, knots will turn into matting that becomes difficult and painful to remove.

Washing does NOT replace combing, so take extra care to get that silky hair nice and loose before going near that tub.

A great tip for combing your Yorkie is to first spray with a detangling spray, massage it into the fur, and then comb. This will make combing easy and pain-free while adding essential moisture to your dogs skin.

One of the best detangling sprays for Yorkies is the TropiClean D-Mat Pet Tangle Remover (on Amazon) which detangles and adds shine. This spray is made without any alcohol, parabens, or dyes, and is a cruelty-free product.

2. Find the perfect temperature.

Remember the fairytale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears? Well, drawing a bath for your Yorkie is bound to make you feel a bit like the protagonist. At first, the water will feel too hot, then too cold, and only after many tweaks will it feel just right.

The issue with water temperature is that Yorkshire Terriers as a breed are slightly prone to dry skin. Water that is too hot is bound to irritate them and suck out too much of their hairs natural oils. At the same time, being a toy breed, Yorkies body temperatures are fickleit isnt comfortable for them to rapidly get hot or cold.

So, the trick is to draw them a bath that doesnt feel warm to the touch, but closer to room temperature, if not, slightly cold. If it feels warm to your touch, it is too warm for your Yorkie.

3. Make it fun!

Many dogs dread bathtime. As soon as they hear that water running, they run. If your dog already loves taking a bath, you can skip this part.

But, for those of us who have to battle our pups to take a bath, the best plan of action is to bribe them. Thats right, Im talking about lots and lots of treats! Getting your Yorkie to associate bathtime with tasty rewards will make the whole process easier for you, and more pleasant for your pup.

4. Protect your Yorkies ears.

When water gets in a Yorkies ears, yeast and bacteria can grow which can cause serious ear infections. You need to be especially careful to prevent any water from getting into the ear canal.

Something easy you can do is gently push a couple of cotton balls into your dogs ears before the bath. Or, if you want something a bit more secure, many groomers swear by pet shower caps that cover the head and keep the ears dry.

Just make sure not to drench your Yorkies head with water. The best way to clean their head and face is by using a sponge to gently dab and wipe, avoiding the ears as best as you can.

After the bath, thoroughly dry the ears and allow your dog to shake to its hearts content. This helps to expel water lurking within the ear canal.

5. Use the right shampoo.

Once you get your Yorkie nice and wet, take your shampoo and work it in, building up a nice lather.

You must use the right type of shampoo, not shampoo for humans, and not regular old dog shampoo. Again, Yorkies have a special type of fur and are prone to dry skin. You should make sure to get something natural, mild, and moisturizing.

See the Best Shampoos for Yorkies section below.

Work the lather starting from the scruff of the neck. Pay special attention to the parts that get the dirtiest, like the paws and the backend. And of coursekeep water away from those ears! Use a sponge on the head and face, keeping suds out of your dogs eyes.

6. Rinse and dry.

To avoid skin irritation, thoroughly rinse any product out of your Yorkies coat. For the head, rinse and dab carefully with a damp sponge. Use your hands to block the ear canal while rinsing.

If you are using a conditioner, make sure you read the bottle and follow instructions. Some conditioners need to be rinsed out and others dont.

Once you are all finished, make sure to dry your Yorkie ASAP. Again, Yorkies are small and prone to rapid temperature shifts. If you leave your dog wet and go off to make a phone call, your pup will get very chilly.

Wrap your dog in a towel and gently massage to remove most of the water. Next, you can use a hairdryer on a low heat setting to finish the job. Keep the hairdryer moving and dont linger too long on any one area to avoid drying and irritating the skin.

7. Moisturize and protect.

The last step Id recommend is to apply a leave-in conditioner to protect the skin and coat of your now sparkling clean Yorkie. These products come in sprays and creams that go on right after the bath to lock in some extra moisture.

Simply spritz your pooch a few timesor for creamswork some product into the fur, before giving one last good comb to evenly distribute the product.

This will leave your Yorkie tangle-free, shiny, and smelling great.

For leave-in conditioners for Yorkies, I recommend BarkLogics Leave in Conditioner & Detangling Spray (on Amazon). This spray is infused with calming and moisturizing lavender essential oil and aloe for amazing protection.

Best of all, the product is natural, hypo-allergenic, and made without sulfates, phthalates, parabens, or other chemicals harmful to your pet.

Can you bathe a Yorkie too often?

Yes, you can bathe a Yorkie too often. While we humans usually need a bath once a day, most dog breeds can go for weeks without one. Washing too often is sure to damage your Yorkies skin.

A bath every one to two weeks will suffice. In between bathsmake sure to keep your dog neat, moisturized, and smelling fresh with a detangling spray or leave-in moisturizer and plenty of combing.

What is the best shampoo for Yorkies?

Your Yorkie needs high-quality shampoo. If I havent stressed this enough, Yorkshire Terriers have a unique coat and special skincare needs. Moisture is key. Natural is key. We want to avoid irritating and drying chemicals.

While a low-quality shampoo can lead to discomfort, a great shampoo gives softness, sheen, and moisture.

Important note: never use human shampoo on a Yorkie. While some pet owners and groomers recommend baby shampoo, that just wont fly. Human skin (scalp included) is slightly acidic. pH-balanced shampoos for humans are around 4.5 to 5.5.

This pH will surely irritate your Yorkies skin. Baby shampoo is a bit milder, but still not great for Yorkies. Your dog needs a shampoo with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 which is significantly more alkaline than human shampoos.

One of the best, groomer-recommended Yorkie shampoos out there is Vermont Soap Pet Magic Dog Shampoo (on Amazon). This Vermont Soap is USDA-certified as a food-grade product and works closely with organic farm organizations to sustainably source ingredients.

VERMONT SOAP Organics Pet Shampoo - Infused with...

INFUSED WITH ORGANIC OLIVE OIL & COCONUT: Vermont Soap dog shampoo for sensitive skin is made from...
SUITABLE FOR DOGS WITH SENSITIVE SKIN: Vermont Soap USDA organic dog shampoo is made of a gentle yet...

The shampoo is mild on the skin and rich with essential oils.

If your Yorkie has fleas and ticks and youd like to safely remove them, Wondercide Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo (on Amazon) is a great choice. While most flea and tick shampoos contain harsh chemicals, this shampoo bar is all-natural.

Geranium and citronella oils keep the bugs away while organic coconut, olive, and castor oils work with shea butter and aloe vera to nourish and protect the skin.

Caring for a Yorkies Coat

While it may seem like a daunting task, caring for your Yorkies skin and coat is quite simple.

In between baths, use a good detangling spray with regular brushing to prevent hair from matting and tangling.

Wash your Yorkie every one to two weeks with high-quality shampoo and room-temperature water. Dont forget to keep those ears nice and dry. Finish with a leave-in conditioner for extra moisture and protection.

As long as you maintain a healthy cycle of combing and bathing with gentle and moisture-rich products, your Yorkie will always be clean, beautiful, and happy.

Final Word

While Yorkies do have special grooming needs, once you break down the steps and find the right products, it all becomes a breeze.

One of the most rewarding things about owning a Yorkie is running your fingers through his or her beautiful soft coat. With just a quick comb and condition a few times a week and a bath every week or so, your doggo will have the most incredible coat and healthy skin.

Just follow our steps to the perfect Yorkie bath, get yourself a high-quality shampoo, and be sure to brush out those tangles!

Last update on 2022-12-10 at 22:23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How Often Should Yorkies Be Bathed?

Last Updated on January 31, 2022 by Sam

The Yorkie is a dog breed of the terrier family. These dogs are known for their long, silky hair which can be difficult to groom and maintain. This means that many owners will choose to bathe them more often than they really should in order to keep their hair clean, but this practice is not recommended by veterinarians as it could lead to certain health problems such as skin infections and dry coats if done too frequently or without proper care.

How often should Yorkies be bathed? There is no set answer to this question. It all depends on the individual dog and their health. Some dogs may need a bath every day, while others may only need one or two baths per month. Read more in detail here: how to dry yorkie after bath.

How often should an indoor dog be bathed?

A: This is a tough question to answer. There are many factors that come into play when deciding how often your dog should be bathed, including the breed of your dog, their age and health, as well as what type of coat they have. Its best to consult with your vet for more information on this.

How do I stop my Yorkie from smelling?

A: There are many things you can do to help your Yorkie smell better. One is to give them a bath every week, another is to brush their teeth and coat them with a dog toothpaste that has mint in it. You should also make sure they have plenty of fresh water and food.

What kind of shampoo should you use on a Yorkie?

A: Yorkies are a breed of dog that require special care, so it is important to use the right kind of shampoo. You should use a hypoallergenic shampoo on your Yorkie because they are prone to skin allergies and other types of irritation.

How do you give a Yorkie a bath?

A: First, you should make sure that the Yorkie is not in a state of panic. If it is, then you should try to calm it down with some soothing words and petting. Next, you will want to get a towel and put it on the ground for the Yorkie to lay on. Then, take your dogs favorite toy and place it near the towel so that they can play with it while you give them their bath. Finally, fill up a tub or sink

How do I keep my Yorkies hair from getting greasy?

A: There are a few ways to keep your Yorkies hair from getting greasy. One way is to use a dry shampoo, which will absorb excess oils and leave the hair feeling fresh. Another way is to brush your Yorkies hair every day with a soft bristle brush that wont pull or damage their hair.

Yorkies are a breed of dog that require a lot of care. They need to be bathed often, and they also need to be groomed. These tasks can be difficult for owners who dont have the time or experience with grooming their dogs. The yorkie leave-in conditioner is an option for those who want to keep their Yorkie in good condition without having to spend hours at the salon.

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