Maintaining your german shepherd’s hygiene is crucial for maintaining their health. And one important aspect of maintaining their hygiene is bathing them. What’s even more important is to know how often you should bathe your german shepherd. It is a question that most german shepherd owners ask. If you are also looking for an answer to this question, then you will find the answer in the article below.
How Often Should I Bathe My German Shepherd? Know The Right Answer
Bathing your german shepherd is tough. It becomes even more difficult if your german shepherd is averse to getting a shower. But what is good is that your german shepherd does not need a bath every day. If you want to know how often you should bathe your german shepherd then the answer is not that simple.
The American Kennel Club says that you should wash your german shepherd once every 4-5 months.
Yet, some german shepherd owners wash their german shepherd once in 2-3 months. Others prefer 3-4 months. Also, a few people bathe their gsd once in 6 months.
Don’t get confused with the difference in the frequency of these bathing schedules. There is no fixed number. You decide the frequency according to your german shepherd’s needs. But, the key is to not over bath. Also, you should bathe your german shepherd when it is an absolute necessity.
Why German Shepherds Don’t Need a Bath Every Day?
When you decide on a routine for your gsd’s bath, know that they don’t need a frequent bath. If you are wondering why then keep reading.
German shepherd’s coat is dirt repelling
German shepherds have a double coat: A top coat and an undercoat. The top layer consists of guard hair. These hairs repel dirt that the german shepherd catches. If they don’t repel the dirt, they prevent it from getting it to the undercoat by trapping it. You can remove the trapped dirt by frequent brushing.
They self-clean by licking
German shepherds have a habit of licking their bodies. It allows them to self-clean.
Strong shake removes all the dirt
The German shepherd’s shake is very strong. When they shake, they remove all the trapped dirt in their fur. This natural self-cleaning keeps them clean and they don’t need a frequent bath.
Factors To Keep In Mind While Making a German Shepherd Bathing Schedule
Health
Regular bathing intervals are not suitable for german shepherds with skin problems. These problems could be infections or certain allergies. Consult your vet to know a custom-made bathing schedule for such german shepherds.
Coat Type
A long-haired german shepherd needs more frequent bathing than a short-haired one. Use a milder shampoo to prevent the skin from drying.
Lifestyle
A german shepherd that plays a lot outside needs more bathing than the one who remains indoors most of the time.
They should be dirty enough for a bath
One important factor is that your german shepherd should be dirty enough for a bath. If you can remove the dirt with a damp cloth or brushing then avoid bathing.
Oily Coat
If you pat on your dog’s skin and feel oil on your hands then it means it’s time for a bath. But if only the undercoat is oily then they don’t need a bath.
Weather
The frequency of your german shepherd’s bath also depends on the weather. They need more washing during summer to avoid the smell. And during flea season for pest control.
What Happens If You Over Bathe Your German Shepherd?
When you over bathe your german shepherd, they lose their essential oils. The oil on the german shepherd’s skin is called Sebum. Sebum is important for keeping your GSD’s skin moist and healthy.
Hair Loss
One problem that overbathing causes are hair loss. Sebum protects the skin from microbes. When you strip the sebum with frequent washing, it leads to diseases like ringworm.
One other reason for hair loss is that when the oils get stripped they cause dryness and itching. When your German shepherd scratches its skin, it causes further hair loss. Lack of Sebum also makes the hair fragile, so they break more.
Dry Skin
Sebum also keeps the skin moist. Its absence causes dryness that causes itching and dandruff.
Dull Coat
If you think that washing your german shepherd’s coat frequently will make their skin shiny, you are wrong. It is the sebum that keeps their coat shiny. When you strip the sebum because of overbathing, it makes the fur dull.
Greasy Coat
Overbathing your german shepherd can lead to a more greasy coat. When the dog’s skin loses its oil, it produces excess oil to counter the dryness. Due to this, they will need a bath again and the cycle continues.
Ways To Keep Your German Shepherd Clean Other Than Bathing
While we don’t recommend too much bathing for your german shepherd, there are other ways to keep them clean. Groom your german shepherd to keep them clean without a bath.
Below mentioned are some grooming tips that may help you in doing that:
Regular Brushing
Brush your german shepherd 3-4 times a week. Use a flicker brush for cleaning the upper coat and one with claws for the undercoat. Regular brushing offers some important advantages.
- It keeps your german shepherd’s hair well maintained.
- It removes the dirt that gets trapped in your dog’s fur.
- It prevents bugs from getting trapped in the hair.
- German shepherds shed their hair with the change in season. Frequent brushing of your german shepherd’s fur protects you from shedding.
A german shepherd that spends a lot of time outdoors will need more frequent brushing. Also, make it a routine to brush your dog’s hair after every outdoor venture.
Keep Your Dog’s Teeth clean
You need to clean your german shepherd’s teeth 3 times every week. But it’s better to brush their teeth every day. Also, make sure to use dog toothpaste for cleaning their teeth. Using human toothpaste is dangerous for your german shepherd as they can swallow it.
Clip Your Dog’s Nails
When your dog’s nails start to come in the way of their movement, it’s time to cut them. Also, check their nails every week and clip them if needed. Immediately handle if there are any broken or split nails. Use a dog nail clipper to do that. If your dog runs on pavements or other hard surfaces, they will grind their nails themselves.
Clean Your German Shepherd’s Ears
Clean your dog’s ears at least once a week. There is a proper way of doing that. Put a few drops of ear wax in your german shepherd’s ears. These drops will dissolve the excess ear wax. When you put wax into your dog’s ears, they will shake their head and the remnants of the liquid will be out of their ears.
Use a cloth to clean the outside of the ear, but don’t put it inside. There are ear drops custom-made for dogs. You can get them from your vet.
Always remember that you cannot use water to clean their ear wax. If you use it, then it will stay in the dog’s ears and create an infection.
Use Dry Shampoo To Freshen Up
Between the baths, use dry shampoo for cleaning your german shepherd. Sprinkle the shampoo and spread it using a brush. You can also use a spray-on dog conditioner to keep their coat shiny.
Hose Them Down
Hosing your german shepherd down is something you can do in warm weather. Hose your gsd down and let them shake all the water. After that, brush their fur. It will remove the dirt or any other filth. Then use a towel to dry your german shepherd completely.
Use Dog Wet Wipes
You can also use dog wet wipes or a damp cloth to clean your German shepherd.
How Often To Bathe a German Shepherd Puppy
There are two important considerations when you bathe your german shepherd puppy. One is the frequency of baths and the other is the right age to give them their first bath.
The right age for giving your german shepherd their first bath is when they are 6 or 7 months old. This is what most german shepherd owners do. It allows the skin to develop oils before they start using shampoo. Also, German shepherd puppies take 6 months to replace their puppy coat with an adult coat. And when it comes to frequency, the American Kennel Club says:
“ Young puppies, in particular, don’t need to be bathed often.”
In such a situation, rinse your dog and let them shake the water off their body, then brush the hair and dry it using a towel. It is always best to constitute pet medical advice to know your puppy’s bathing routine.
Important Bathing Tips
Whenever you wash your german shepherd, these important tips will help:
- Use dog shampoo and conditioner. Using one with natural ingredients is best.
- Keep all the essentials in one place. Once you start the bathing process, it will be difficult to go and grab anything.
- Brush your German shepherd’s coat beforehand.
- Put water on the dog’s head at the end.
Conclusion
German shepherds are self-cleaning dogs. They don’t need frequent baths. Keep them clean with regular brushing. Also, keep your german shepherd’s ears and teeth clean and their nails trimmed.
If you over bathe your german shepherd, they will lose their skin’s essential oils. It will lead to dry skin and a dull-looking coat.
FAQ’s
How often does a German Shepherd need to be brushed?
You should brush your german shepherd 3-4 times a week. Brush both the upper and the undercoat. Frequent brushing offers many advantages. It prevents the dirt from getting trapped in your dog’s hair. It also helps to distribute the natural oils present in the skin that leads to a shinier and healthier coat.
Can I bathe my german shepherd once a month?
The American Kennel Club says that you should wash your german shepherd once every 4-5 months. Yet, there is no fixed number that every dog owner follows. Different German shepherd owners have different bathing schedules for their dogs. The key is to prevent overbathing.
