Dogs, like people, need to bathe regularly. How often you wash your dog depends on several factors: the breed of dog, its age, whether it has been groomed recently, and how dirty it is. Dogs that live in hot climates or spend a lot of time playing outdoors may need to be bathed more often than those who don’t.

So how often should you bathe your dog?

Generally, most dogs should be given a bath every 1-2 months. However, some exceptions exist: puppies and elderly dogs may need less frequent baths, while dogs with thick fur coats may need more. Picking the right shampoo, the frequency of bathing, and how to properly bathe a dog can be confusing for first-time dog owners. In this post, we will cover these topics, and hopefully, you will gain clarity and confidence in this area of dog grooming.

Bathing Too Often

Bathing your dog too often can strip their natural oils, which are needed for a healthy coat and skin. If you clean more frequently than once every month, ensure you are using moisturizing shampoo or follow up with conditioner after drying off so the pet’s natural oils can be replenished!

Bathing Too Little

Not bathing your dog can lead to several problems, including skin irritation, bad odor, and even infection. So if you’re not already bathing your dog regularly, it’s time to start!

Factors to Consider Before Giving Your Pup a Bath

No one likes a smelly dog, but is it necessary to bathe your dog weekly? Some dogs don’t need to be cleaned as frequently as others because they have short, smooth coats and no skin problems. Bathing is usually for the benefit of dog parents more than their pets themselves! During bath time is a great way to check them over for any skin problems or lumps that might indicate more serious health issues. When it comes to how often you should bathe your dog, there are a few things to consider.

Dog's Level of Activity

If you have an active dog that spends lots of time outside, their coat will probably need cleaning more often. Even if they don’t get into messes, sometimes athletic dogs need to stay clean, so there aren’t any unpleasant odors.

Skin Problems or Allergies

If you have a dog that suffers from allergies or skin conditions, it may be necessary for them to bathe regularly with medicated shampoo. Your veterinarian or groomer will tell how often this needs to be done depending on what condition they are suffering from and the type of coat they have. There are many ways to help your furry friend get relief from itchy skin! Bathing may be an option for dogs that don’t respond well to oral or topical treatments. A colloidal oatmeal shampoo can also benefit those with sensitive skin who need regular baths to keep the fleas away.

Skin Type or Fur

The long-haired and curly-coated dog breeds need more regular bathings to keep their coats free from matting. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends bathing these dogs at least once every four weeks, with regular brushing between baths to maintain the coat! If you have a hairless breed, like the Chinese crested pup or other species without coats, they must be bathed weekly because their skin can’t protect itself from dirt. If you have an oily skin dog, like the cocker spaniel or basset hound, it’s essential to give them frequent baths so that their coat doesn’t become greasy and unpleasant.

Pet Owner’s Health

Did you realize that your pup’s hair can carry allergens into the house? If this sounds like something of concern, regular baths for thorough cleaning might help reduce indoor irritants such as dust mites and dander, which could make living with a pup more difficult for people who suffer from respiratory disorders such as asthma or allergies.

Consult Your Veterinarian

Dogs require different bathing schedules based on their breed, lifestyle, and health. Most dog owners know that bathing too often can dry the skin and coat, but not cleaning enough can cause problems. Consult your veterinarian to develop a schedule that is best for your furry friend. There are many factors to consider when determining how often your dog needs a bath!

What Kind of Shampoo to Use When Bathing Your Dog

The shampoo is an integral part of keeping your dog clean and healthy. But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to know which one to choose. Generally speaking, there are two types of dog shampoo: medicated and non-medicated. Medicated shampoos are designed to treat specific skin conditions, such as allergies or infections. If your dog has a known skin condition, your veterinarian can help you choose the right medicated shampoo. Non-medicated shampoos, on the other hand, are meant for general cleaning and can be used on all dogs. If you’re unsure which type of shampoo to use, try a few different brands and see what works best for your dog. And always consult with your vet before using any new products on your pet.

Tips for Giving Your Dog a Bath

Giving your dog a bath doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With these tips, you’ll be on your way to bathing your pup like a pro! Make sure to get everything you need ready before you start, including shampoo, towels, and a secure place for your dog to stand.

Get Your Dog Wet

Wet your dog down thoroughly with warm water, then apply shampoo sparingly. Lather well, being careful not to get soap in your dog’s eyes or ears.

Rinse

Using the shower hose or a bucket of warm water, rinse off the soap and make sure to get all of it out of their fur.

Dry

Use a towel to dry off your clean puppy and give plenty of praise and a treat. You can also use a hairdryer on the lowest setting, a few inches away from the dog, and continually move the dryer, so you’re not concentrating on one spot.

How often to bathe your dog is a common question that pet parents have. As with most things related to our furry friends, the answer is: that it depends. Too much bathing can dry out your pup’s skin, while too little can lead to an unpleasant odor. Dogs who spend much time outdoors or are particularly active may need more baths than those who stay mostly inside. There are many shampoos on the market specifically for dogs, and your veterinarian will be able to recommend the best one for your pet. So does your pup love bath time? We hope these tips have helped you make bathing them easier!

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In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control reported there were no more cases of canine-specific rabies in the United States — only those specific to other animals, like raccoons and foxes. In the years since the rabies vaccine, many other canine vaccinations were developed, specifically designed to prevent diseases like distemper, parvovirus, canine hepatitis, parainfluenza, Bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme disease, leptospirosis, and canine influenza.

Human vs. Canine Vaccination

While statistics on the number of cases of these various canine diseases over time are hard to find, we can use human diseases as a comparison, and in every case, as vaccination rates have gone up, incidents of the diseases have gone down.

To take just one example, before a vaccine was developed, polio infected and paralyzed tens of thousands of people a year, hitting a high of nearly 60,000 victims in 1952, killing over 3,000 of them. The polio vaccine was introduced in 1955. In just over a decade, polio in the United States had almost disappeared, with the last death from it reported in 1980.

Besides polio, small pox and diphtheria have been eliminated. Measles, mumps, and rubella have declined by 99% since the days before vaccinations. But success should not make us complacent, with our dogs’ health or our own — in the winter and spring of 2015, a sudden measles outbreak in the U.S. was traced back to visitors at Disneyland and attributed to “substandard vaccination compliance” on the part of parents of the children who were affected, and who went on to infect other people.

Anti-vaxxers

Often referred to as “anti-vaxxers,” this is a movement that started when Andrew Wakefield reported a small study in The Lancet in 1998, claiming a connection between vaccinations and autism in children. Although the study was discredited for various reasons and Wakefield’s medical license was revoked in 2010, the anti-vaccination movement continues to this day, and a number of dog owners have taken a similar stance, refusing to vaccinate their pets.

While the list of reasons for humans not vaccinating their children is longer, with dogs there seem to be three reasons that people are leery — one is that, they claim, the vaccines contain toxic metals. The second is that vaccines can adversely affect a dog’s immune system, and the third is that dogs are vaccinated far too frequently, with many vaccines being given annually for the dog’s life.

Mercury

The first claim is easy to debunk on several fronts. The most frequently cited vaccine additive, the preservative Thimerosal, strikes fear into the hearts of people because it contains mercury, which has a bad reputation of causing degenerative diseases of the nervous system.

However, the type of mercury that is highly toxic, methylmercury, is different than the type found in vaccines, which is ethylmercury. Methylmercury accumulates in the body, and it is this build-up of the metal that causes so-called “Mad Hatter’s Disease.” In contrast, ethylmercury does not accumulate in the body.

The difference is analogous to ethanol and methanol. The former is the kind of alcohol found in liquor, wine, and beer and is safe(ish) for human consumption in reasonable quantities. The latter, although a very similar molecule, is extremely dangerous. Half a teaspoon will blind a person. Less than four ounces will kill them.

The mercury compound in vaccines is not only reasonably safe for humans and animals, but it occurs in extremely small amounts and serves an important function — preventing bacteria from growing in the serum. Without an antibiotic as a preservative, the shot would literally become toxic. Although Thimerosal has been phased out of most human vaccines, it is still used in some canine vaccines. If it is a concern to you, ask your vet for a vaccine brand without it.

How Vaccination Affects a Dog’s Immune System

Regarding the second claim of vaccines adversely affecting a dog’s immune system, this can occur, but it is incredibly rare and has more to do with the dog’s genetics than anything else. For example, a condition that can cause a dog’s immune system to attack its own red blood cells has been associated with vaccination in some studies, but at a rate of one incidence in a million shots. Other studies have found no association.

Specific breeds, like Weimaraners and dachshunds, have shown autoimmune diseases in response to vaccines but, again, these are very rare, are linked to genetic defects, and would be caused by infection with the particular disease anyway.

It’s worth quoting the SkeptVet blog at length on the subject: “(I)f vaccines do precipitate such diseases, so do infectious organisms, natural substances in food, and many other possible environmental factors. These conditions are uncommon, and any risk of them posed by vaccination is undoubtedly outweighed by the protection the vaccines offer against serious infectious diseases.”

Vaccination Frequency: Core and Non-Core

The last claim of canine anti-vaxxers, that dogs are given shots far too frequently, may have some merit, but it is entirely dependent on the specific dog. Smaller dogs are more likely to exhibit allergies to vaccines, for example, and older dogs with a low risk of exposure to other dogs may not need some vaccines any longer.

It’s also important to remember that there are two classes of canine vaccination: core and non-core. Core vaccinations are for diseases that are common, easily transmitted, and severe, and in which the vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective. For dogs, core vaccinations include distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and rabies.

Non-core vaccines are those that protect against organisms that cause only mild diseases — the kind that usually “clear up” on their own — and which are not widespread in the area or easily transmitted from one animal to another. Non-core vaccines may also have certain known risks or are not as effective as they should be, so are only used in very specific circumstances and are not recommended for all dogs.

Talk to Your Vet

All of these are concerns that you should discuss with your veterinarian, although most veterinarians will recommend all core vaccines at regular intervals. The main reason for this is that it’s impossible to determine the level of immunity to a given disease in a dog. One may develop lifelong immunity after a single shot, while another may never develop full immunity without boosters. There’s just no test to tell the difference, so better safe than sorry.

Dr. T. J. Dunn, Jr., DVM has this to say on the subject: “I am not convinced by experience that vaccinating has a destructive effect on the overwhelming majority of animals. I am, however, convinced that vaccinating has saved uncountable lives from the ravages of parvovirus and distemper… not to mention potential rabies cases.”

All-in-all, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks and, as with humans, we have all but eliminated some canine diseases — but they won’t stay eliminated unless our dogs stay vaccinated. A Pack Leader’s job is to provide protection and direction, and making sure that your dog regularly gets at least all of her core vaccinations is one of the best protections you can provide.

Author’s Addendum: Some people have contacted us mentioned “titering,” but there are misconceptions about what titer testing does, so we did not include it in the article originally. Titering will determine whether a dog has been vaccinated for a particular illness, but cannot determine the actual level of immunity that a dog has. The main use for titer testing is when taking a dog from one country to another, to verify that the dog has been vaccinated. For an in-depth discussion of the subject, check out this article by Dr. Patty Khuly VMD discussing whether titer testing is a valid alternative to vaccination.

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You’ve probably never heard of Joseph Meister, but chances are good that dogs would not be the most popular household pet without him. He was born in France in 1876 and died there, in Paris, in 1940.

He should have died in 1885, when he was nine years old. The reason he did not is one of the most important medical breakthroughs in modern history, and it’s why there are so many dogs as family pets around the world today.

History of the Rabies Vaccine

Joseph Meister should have died because he was mauled by a rabid dog, but he lived because he was the first human patient that Louis Pasteur tested a rabies vaccine on. The vaccine worked, the patient lived, and the human-canine relationship was changed forever.

For a few thousand years before that, there were really only two “treatments” for rabies. One was the murder or suicide of the person who had been bitten. The other was called Saint Hubert’s Key, which is exactly what it sounds like: a metal charm that was heated and pressed against a dog bite in hopes that it would prevent rabies. They also used to brand dogs with it, believing that it would keep them from developing rabies.

Needless to say, it didn’t work.

Before Pasteur, 95% of all rabies cases in humans were caused by dogs, and the disease was fatal. In modern times, cases of humans catching rabies from dogs in countries with mandatory vaccination are almost unknown, and people who start treatment after being bitten by a possibly rabid animal generally survive.

In case you’re wondering, the wild animals to most avoid if you don’t want to catch rabies are bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks.

Once vaccination of dogs for rabies became mandatory, the incidence of humans catching the disease from canines plummeted, and this literally opened the door for dogs to be able to move into our homes.

Protecting Our Dogs as Pack Leaders

What this story demonstrates, though, is one of the two things we must provide for our dogs as their Pack Leaders. One is direction. The other is protection — and the best way to protect our dogs from things that can kill them but which we can’t see is to have them vaccinated according to our vet’s recommendations.

Where mandatory vaccination programs have been carried out, canine rabies has been eliminated. According to the CDC, there have been no dog-specific strains of rabies reported in the U.S. since 2004, and in Europe, 21 countries have been determined to be free of dog specific rabies. This is because dogs have developed what is called “herd immunity,” and it comes directly from vaccinating as many of them as possible.

This doesn’t mean that the disease is gone, though. Dogs can still be infected by a rabid animal, including the list above. The eastern U.S. has had an epidemic of infected raccoons since the 1970s, and there’s now some indication that people (and possibly dogs) can catch rabies just from being in a vicinity frequented by bats.

So, while canine rabies has been eliminated in the U.S. and many other countries around the world have been determined to be free of it as well, the disease is still out there, and your dog can catch it from an infected animal of a different species.

This is why it’s so important to make sure that our dogs are vaccinated. Until rabies of all kinds have been completely eliminated, the danger will still be there. We’ve done a remarkable job in just over a century, but the disease is at least four thousand years old, and viruses are experts at adapting for survival. To ensure our dogs’ survival, we need to provide them all the protection that we can.

Stay calm, and vaccinate!

Sunday, September 28, is World Rabies Day.

The post Protecting Your Pack appeared first on Cesar's Way.

“I was wondering why you did not mention the Bordetella vaccine. If she brings her dogs to a groomer, dog day care, dog park or boarding facility, they should have this vaccine, especially if they are older because they would be more at risk.” – A. Gros

When I wrote that you need to discuss the “non-core” vaccines with your vet, I did fail to mention the Bordetella vaccine. Bordetella is a vaccine that your vet should help you evaluate, considering the specific risks and benefits based on your dog’s lifestyle. Many grooming salons and kennels do require this vaccine, so you should also be sure that you know when it is required. Thank you for mentioning my omission.

“I just wanted to share this with them if I may thru you. I got pet insurance for my pets. They have different plans, and some of the plans cover some or all of the annual/vaccines. It’s like a well dog check, so to speak. That might be beneficial to this couple. I hope you can forward this e-mail to them.” – D. Day

Thank you for sharing this information!

“I read your column first!  I always enjoy it.  I was surprised and delighted when Cesar brought you into the monthly newsletter. What do you have to say about Bordetella?  I run a boarding kennel  (dogs, no cats) and we have found it difficult to explain this one to  people, because veterinarians often skim past this one when they are  talking about vaccines, even though they talk about seemingly everything else.

I get a lot of calls from people on this subject, and I would like to always refer their questions to their veterinarian, but conflicting information causes such confusion in people. I tell them that you might get different opinions from two different  veterinarians in the same clinic, so they should do their homework, consult the AVMA and AAHA sites for their current protocols, and discuss with their veterinarians the reasons behind their recommendations, but that ultimately, it is YOUR dog,  and the ultimate responsibility falls on the human companion.” – S. Sabatini

In a boarding kennel, kennel cough is one of the most common contagious diseases you face, so vaccination is important to the dogs in your care. For dogs visiting a groomer, it is more debatable as the risk is slightly less. The vaccine is a live virus and can cause a mild form of the disease, so there are reasons to discuss the pros and cons of the vaccine for your dog with your vet. Yes, the vaccine recommendations have gotten complex in recent years, and the only answer is to find a vet that you trust and follow their recommendations. As you said, just as we must choose which vaccines to give our human children, the dog parent must gather information to make the best decision they can for their canine child.

“There has been quite a bit of talk that dogs do not need to be vaccinated annually.  Once they reach two years old and have had all the puppy/adult shots for that time period, I have read they can be vaccinated two to three years apart.  What is your take on this?” – J. Marcus

I am still a believer in following the protocols laid out by the vaccine companies. Three year recommendations are becoming more popular, but I have seen individuals who possibly did not have protection that long with older vaccines. There are now vaccines for distemper and parvo (and even rabies in some states) that are tested and labeled for three year use. These are the vaccines I give to my own healthy dog and most of my patients.

“It seems you really skirted the issue of the need for annual vaccines, since many vets are now saying vaccines may be needed only every three years and annual vaccines may even be toxic to small pets.” – J. Rambo

Regardless of the dog’s size, there is a huge controversy around the frequency of vaccines. Studies disagree whether vaccines do induce many of these illnesses, but I believe I have seen immune mediated problems initiated by vaccines in my patients, and any of my patients who have immune mediated diseases get titers done for the rest of their lives. As I said in the article, every owner should discuss their individual risk factors with their vet. Vaccines have saved many more lives than they have ended, but as in all things, there is a balance to be established. Before the introduction of three-year vaccines, I recommended titers to most of my patients. Unfortunately they are much more expensive than the vaccines, so many people choose vaccines despite the risk. I have to say that distemper is more likely to kill a dog than immune problems, so if a client refuses titers, I do feel the need to protect them. The three-year vaccine has helped some with that, but I still do recommend titers to many individuals. (As I said in the article, rabies titers are a little more controversial, because they provide little to no legal protection). I truly don’t intend to skirt the issue, but the truth is that nobody knows with absolute certainty what the truth is. If money is not a concern, I believe that titers are still the way to go after the initial puppy series and possibly a one-year booster. This is what I do for my fifteen-year-old dog. However, to show you all sides of the issue, there are specialists who feel that titers are not truly indicative of protection and should not be trusted.

“…If you deny that there is a financial incentive to pretend annual vaccinations are necessary, you need to get out in the real world. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am in your response to the question asked about annual vaccinations in Cesar’s monthly newsletter.  You are devastatingly wrong. I have lost respect for Cesar and certainly you for these antiquated and profit-driven opinions you profess.” – D. Stricker

As far as the financial incentive to vets to continue yearly vaccines: if you feel that your vet’s preventative health protocol is motivated by money, then you should find a vet with whom you feel more confident. My intent in the article was to share my belief that vaccines are only a small part of a lifetime preventative health program. In my practice, vaccines are so inexpensive that there is no financial advantage to me in giving them. We are more interested in care for the whole dog, and there are no cookie cutter answers.

Thank you for encouraging me to delve more into the controversy that is vaccines!

-Dr. Weaver

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We adopted two pups from our local shelter, had them for three days, and ended up having them put down because of parvo. They apparently had the virus when we adopted them.

We weren’t told they were exposed or possibly had the virus. Very disheartening.

We truly want pups, but don’t know how long we have to wait before we can adopt. We cleaned the indoors thoroughly (steam cleaned the entire house) and have a nice, clean yard. Please let us know. We are ready to raise another family. Our kids are grown and gone. We have lots of love and time for raising pups.

Patty Torres
Hesperia, CA

Dear Patty,

I am so sorry to hear that you had to experience this devastating disease. Unfortunately, the virus that causes parvovirus can live in an environment for years. You can decrease the virus in the environment by using a 1 to 10 dilution of bleach to water, but I never feel comfortable that you can eliminate the virus.

The good news is that the vaccine for parvo is extremely effective. If your home has been exposed to parvo, I typically feel comfortable bringing a puppy in two weeks after they have had their fifteen-week vaccine, which is usually the third booster.

Dr. Weaver

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