Why You Should Bathe Your Dog More Frequently in the Summer Months

Summer is synonymous with fun in the sun, and for our four-legged family, it means more time in the great outdoors.

Having your dog play outdoors comes with the need for a little extra grooming. Here’s six reasons why you should consider increasing your dog's bath frequency during the warmer months.

1. More Outdoor Time Equals More Dirt and Germs

As dogs spend more time outside during the summer, they inevitably get dirtier. Playing outdoors, running through grass, and digging in the dirt can leave their coat grimy and smelly. Regular baths help remove this buildup of dirt and germs which can prevent potential skin irritations from occurring.

2. Increased Exposure to Allergens

Summer is peak season for allergens like pollen, grass, weeds and more which can cling to your dog's coat. These allergens can lead to itching and discomfort for your dog. Bathing your pet more frequently helps wash away these irritants, alleviating discomfort and helping to keep their skin healthy.

3. Protection Against Pests

Fleas, ticks, and other pests are more prevalent in warm weather. These critters can cause a range of health issues, from mild itchiness to disease. Frequent bathing can provide an additional layer of protection by removing or drowning these pests before they have a chance to cause harm.

4. Reduce the Risk from Toxic Chemicals

Summer lawns, parks and other dog-friendly areas are often treated with fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals that can be harmful to your pet. Dogs that roam on treated grasses may pick up these toxins on their paws and coat, which can later be ingested when they lick at their paws, legs and underbelly. More frequent baths reduce the risk of chemical toxins clinging to your dog’s coat for extended periods of time, keeping your furry friend safer during their outdoor adventures.

5. Swimming is Fun but it’s not a Bath

A lot of people believe that swimming in the warm months will help to keep their dog clean but for many reasons in our current world, this is no longer as true as it was a couple of decades ago. Chemical runoff into waterways, ponds and lakes is much more common these days creating another source of exposure to potentially harmful toxins for your dog. True “freshwater” areas are becoming a rarity that should be considered as another potential toxic exposure for your dog. This also includes swimming in backyard swimming pools. With the amount of chemicals needed to eliminate algae, bacteria and other water-born allergens, continual exposure without a proper bath with shampoo to wash these chemicals off your dog is not the best practice.

6. Keeping Your Home Cleaner

A cleaner dog means a cleaner home. By bathing your dog more often in the summer, you can prevent dirt and mud tracked in from outside, making it easier to maintain a clean and pleasant living environment.

Tips for Summer Bathing

• Use a True All Natural Shampoo: Choose an organic shampoo formulated for dogs to avoid stripping natural oils from their skin. Hint: over 98% of dog shampoos are not organic but rather detergent-based synthetic cleansers. Don’t be fooled! What’s the point of washing off some toxins only to add others back onto your dog’s coat by using a detergent shampoo?
  
  
• Keep Water Lukewarm: Hot water can be uncomfortable and drying, so use lukewarm water instead. Some dogs even prefer cool water so take some time to determine which is your dog’s preference.
  
  
• Wash Order: When giving your dog a bath in the summer, you should first start by making a "ring around the neck" with the shampoo. Thoroughly wet your dog with water then put a small amount of 4-Legger organic dog shampoo in your hand and work it around you dog's neck line to create a sudsy ring of lather all the way to the skin. This creates a barrier for the fleas to stop them from running up and hiding under your dog's ears. Once you've created the barrier, you can use a wash cloth to carefully clean your dog's face, being extra careful around the eyes and down into the ears. With the face clean and the neck barrier still in place (apply it again if you've rinsed it off), you are ready to wash the dog's body! Re-wet your dog with warm water if necessary and then starting at the neck line, work your way down and back to the tip of the tail. You may see fleas jump off your dog as you wash them. Be sure to wash in the arm pits and their private areas! After your dog is lathered up, let it sit for a few minutes and continue to massage the shampoo with water deeply into your dog's coat. While I sing songs to my dog during this step, it is not required and the fleas don't seem to care one way or another.

  Rinse the shampoo from your dog, being sure to get under the arms and tail (places where fleas love to hide).

• Monitor Skin Condition: Keep an eye on your dog’s skin for any signs of dryness or irritation, which could indicate bathing too frequently or the need for a different formulation of shampoo. 4-Legger has several formulations so that you can find the best match for your dog. There is no one-size-fits-all formulation for dogs anymore than there is for their humans.

• Take Some Cues from Your Dog:  Pay attention to your dog's level of itchiness and understand they are plainly telling you they are uncomfortable when you notice that they are scratching more frequently.  By "listening" to their cues, you will be able to much more effectively help them before the scratching gets out of control.  In the same way you take a shower to wash off dirt, grime and germs feeling cleaner and better afterward, your dog is no different!  They don't need daily baths like humans prefer, but they will absolutely communicate to you when they do need one - we just have to learn to pay better attention. 

By keeping these points in mind, you can ensure that your dog enjoys a healthy, happy summer both indoors and out. Regular baths not only keep your pet feeling fresh and less itchy, but they also contribute to their comfort and overall well-being by cleaning off toxins and allergens regularly to prevent longterm exposures to irritants that may lead to health issues.

Grab your 4-Legger all natural dog shampoo and turn bath time into a refreshing summer ritual!