Humans wash their hair up to five times a week. Excessive dirt and oil can get trapped in the head and body. Washing makes us clean and fresh. Bathing has excellent effects on physical and mental well-being. The same is true for your Golden retriever. It is even more necessary to bathe them since they have more hair than you. They have long, double coats that are exposed to outdoor elements. Your dog will get in contact with mud, debris, and pollution from the air. Your Golden retriever will look like a total stinky mess by the end of the day. Keep in mind that Golden retrievers are hygiene-conscious dogs and want to be clean and tidy all the time. How often should a golden retriever be bathed? The following is a guideline on bathing your awesome looking Golden retriever.
Bathing Frequency – How Often Should a Golden Retriever Be Bathed?
A golden retriever has a warm and double coat. It is a common feature of breeds considered to be water dogs. The natural oils of your Golden retriever’s fur help keep the coat water and dirt repellent. Regular grooming and brushing will spread oils through the body and mitigate mats and tangles.
However, your Golden still requires a bath from time to time. The frequency will depend on factors, including the following:
- Number of swimming outings
- The time they spend outdoors.
- Rural versus urban setting
- Parasite infestation in your locality
Factors to Consider
Although golden retrievers were bred for life in the water and can get rid of accumulated water after swimming with a good and vigorous shake, swimming will eventually lead to a dirty coat that is foul-smelling.
It is especially true if your Golden retriever took a dip in murky ponds and dirty bodies of water. How often should a golden retriever be bathed?
It follows that a dog that spends most of the time indoors is going to be less dirty than one allowed to roam the outdoors. Where those outdoor adventures happen, in the country or the city, will also be a factor in how quickly your Golden retriever’s coat will get dirty.
If there is parasite infestation in your locality, make sure to check further information on local websites and consult with your vet. It is crucial to be alert. Your Golden retriever might require more baths and grooming because of this.
How Often Is Often Enough? – How Often Should a Golden Retriever Be Bathed?
There is no definite answer to this. Although bathing is important to your dog’s health, take note that you shouldn’t wash your dog too often. It can be just as harmful as failing to wash them often enough. How often should a golden retriever be bathed?
Frequent bathing can dry out the natural oils that are vital for the beauty of their coat. Once they lose these protective oils, it can leave your Golden with a dull-looking coat, which is extremely unattractive.
It will also leave their skin exposed to dandruff and infection. It is recommended that you apply a mild shampoo. But keep in mind that even the mildest shampoo can hurt the skin if it is overused.
However, if you do not bathe them often enough, it can cause severe problems. Although Goldens, just like any other dog, would emit a strong odor, it can be exacerbated if they are left unwashed for long periods.
Final Thoughts – How Often Should a Golden Retriever Be Bathed?
Have a bathing schedule for your Golden retriever once every six weeks. This is the typical bathing routine, but you need to check for the variables listed above. For Golden retrievers that have access to the outdoors, you may need to bathe them once per month.
But if your dog doesn’t venture outside often, they might only require bathing every eight weeks or even longer. How often should a golden retriever be bathed?
It is crucial to give your dog a nice bath depending on their physical activity level and where they have been romping. Make sure your bathing essentials are designed for dogs and have skin compatible ingredients. You will be interacting with your dog frequently, touching, and petting them. To avoid your dog passing dirt and bacteria to you, make sure you have a bathing schedule and apply a disinfectant powder between baths.