Bath time basics: How often should you wash your dog?

This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for personalised veterinary advice. Always speak with your vet about your dog’s individual health needs. Accurate as at 30 October 2026.

How often should you wash your dog? The answer isn’t quite as simple as you might think. Every dog is different, and their bathing needs depend on everything from their coat condition and skin type to their overall health and how much they love a good roll in the mud.

The upside? There is no single bathing schedule that works for every dog. It’s more about knowing when your dog needs a wash, choosing the right products, and making bath time as comfortable as possible.

From finding the right bathing routine to keeping your dog’s coat and skin healthy, here’s what you need to know to make bath time a little easier for everyone.

Table of contents

• How often should you wash your dog?
• What affects how often your dog needs a bath?
• How to give your dog a bath
• Use bath time to check your dog over
• Washing a dog with skin conditions
• How pet insurance can support your dog’s health

How often should you wash your dog?

Every dog has different bathing needs. How often they need a wash depends on a few things, including their coat condition, skin type, overall health, and lifestyle. For example, a dog who loves nothing more than a cosy spot on the couch might need fewer baths than a pup who can’t resist a roll in the mud.

While you’ll find plenty of bathing schedules online, there’s no single routine that works for every dog. If you’re unsure how often to wash your best mate, your vet can help you work out what’s best for them.

What affects how often your dog needs a bath?

Coat type

Every dog benefits from regular grooming, but not all coats are created equal, and some need a little more attention than others. Long-haired dogs may need more frequent grooming, and some may need regular clipping too. Double-coated dogs often need more frequent grooming to remove loose undercoat hair and help prevent matting. How often they need brushing and bathing will depend on their coat condition, skin type, overall health, and lifestyle.

Whatever kind of coat your dog has, regular brushing between baths goes a long way. It helps get rid of dust, dead skin, loose hair, grass seeds, and knots, while spreading natural oils through their coat.

Skin and health

Some dogs have more sensitive skin than others, while some have skin conditions that can affect how often they should be washed and which products to use. If that’s the case for your dog, your vet may recommend a particular shampoo and bathing routine (more on that below).

Lifestyle and activity

Does your dog love a good splash in the ocean or a roll in the mud? Chances are, they’ll need a bath more often than a pup who’s happiest lounging around at home.

How to give your dog a bath

Choose a shampoo made for dogs

When it comes to shampoo, stick with one that’s made specifically for dogs and suits your pup’s skin and coat type.

If your dog has sensitive skin or a skin problem, it’s best to ask your vet which shampoo they’d recommend.

Find the right spot and water temperature

You don’t need anything fancy to give your dog a good wash. A bath or shower at home with warm water works well.

You could also use a temperature-controlled hydro bath, which you’ll find at some groomers, pet stores, and vet clinics. And when the weather’s warm, a gentle hose-down outside on low pressure is another option.

Brush once dry and check their ears

A gentle brush once they’re dry can help remove any loosened hair or tangles. This can be especially important for dogs with long or double coats, which may need more thorough grooming.

And while you’re at it, check your dog all over, including their ears for dirt, signs of infection, or parasites. When bathing your dog, take care to avoid getting water in their ears, as trapped moisture can contribute to ear problems.

Keep it positive

Let’s face it, not every dog loves bath time. Some would much rather be doing just about anything else! Using a few treats and plenty of praise throughout bath time can help keep it a positive experience, and it’s best to stop before your dog starts to feel uncomfortable. If your dog doesn’t enjoy being groomed and they find the experience stressful, a gentle, reputable professional groomer, your vet clinic, or a mobile groomer may be able to help.

Use bath time to check your dog over

Bath time isn’t just about getting your dog clean. It’s also an opportunity to check their skin, coat and body for anything unusual. Take a look between their toes, around and inside their ears, under their armpits, and between their back legs.

Keep an eye out for:

• Signs of parasites, including fleas or ticks
• Grass seeds
• Knots or mats in their coat
• Dirt build-up or signs of infection
• Scratches or inflamed skin
• Lumps or bumps

If you notice anything unusual, it’s best to book a check-up with your vet.

Washing a dog with skin conditions

If your dog has sensitive skin or a skin condition, have a chat with your vet before making any changes to their bathing routine. They can recommend a shampoo that suits your dog’s skin and help you work out how often to bathe them.

How pet insurance can support your dog’s health

Regular grooming and bathing are all part of looking after your dog, and they’re not usually covered by pet insurance. But if you spot a lump, skin problem, or ear infection during bath time that needs a trip to the vet, pet insurance can help cover some of the costs of eligible vet treatment, subject to your policy’s terms, conditions, waiting periods, and exclusions.

If you’ve been thinking about getting pet insurance for your dog, RSPCA Pet Insurance could be worth a look. You can customise your cover to suit your dog’s needs and your budget, and when you take out an RSPCA Pet Insurance policy, your premium helps support the RSPCA’s animal welfare work across Australia.

That means while you’re helping to protect your own furry family member, you’re also helping to make a difference for animals in need.

To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your dog, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.

Disclaimer

As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.

References

[1] RSPCA Australia. Why and how should I groom my dog? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/why-and-how-should-i-groom-my-dog

[2] RSPCA Australia. Can you give me some advice on caring for my dog? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/can-you-give-me-some-advice-on-caring-for-my-dog

[3] RSPCA Pet Insurance. How to groom your dog and why it’s important. RSPCA Pet Insurance. Available from: https://rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-talk/how-to-groom-your-dog/