How often should you bathe a dog, and how to bathe one at home

There is no single schedule for bathing a dog. Many dogs do well with a bath every month or two, or simply when they are dirty or start to smell. Dogs that swim, roll in things or have oilier coats may need more; dogs with short, clean coats may need fewer. Bathing very often with harsh products can dry out the skin. If a veterinarian has prescribed baths for a skin problem, follow their schedule rather than a general one. A bath at a grooming salon costs a median of $40, and the middle half of salons charge $30 to $55, from the menus of 1,952 salons on PawsRx (October 2026). A full groom starts at a median of $70 across 1,593 salons.

What changes how often a dog needs a bath

• Coat. Some breeds have oilier coats that start to smell sooner. Curly and long coats that go to the groomer every four to six weeks are usually bathed at the groom.
• Life. Swimming, mud, rolling in something and sleeping on your bed all move the date forward.
• Skin. A dog with a skin condition may be on a bathing plan from a vet. Follow it.
• Season. Muddy months mean more baths. In cold weather a thick coat that dries slowly is a reason to space them out.

What you need

Use a shampoo made for dogs. Human shampoo is made for human skin, which is more acidic than a dog's, and it can leave a dog's skin dry or irritated. If your dog has a skin problem, ask your veterinarian which product to use.

How to bathe a dog at home, step by step

1. Brush the coat out first. Water tightens tangles and mats, so a knot you could brush out dry may not come out wet.
2. Put a non-slip mat in the tub or shower. A dog that slips gets frightened, and an older dog can hurt itself.
3. Use lukewarm water and wet the coat right down to the skin, starting at the neck and working back. Keep water out of the eyes and ears.
4. Work the shampoo into the coat, following the directions on the bottle.
5. Wash the face last, with a damp cloth rather than the shower head.
6. Rinse until the water runs clear and the coat no longer feels slippery. Leftover shampoo can leave the skin itchy.
7. Squeeze out the water, towel, and dry. Thick and curly coats need drying down to the skin.

Bathing a dog that hates baths

• A lick mat stuck to the tub wall keeps many dogs still and busy.
• Keep the water shallow and lukewarm. For some dogs a handheld sprayer is less frightening than a running tap.
• Practise without water: into the tub, a treat, out again.
• Small dogs are often easier in a sink. Big dogs are sometimes easier outside on a warm day, with water that is not cold.

A senior or stiff dog may find the tub hard. Lifting them in and out, a non-slip mat underfoot and a shorter bath all help. Some salons say on their own websites that they take senior dogs: 245 of the 3,718 salons PawsRx lists, as of October 2026.

What a bath at the groomer costs

A bath at a grooming salon costs a median of $40, and the middle half of salons charge $30 to $55, from the menus of 1,952 salons on PawsRx (October 2026). A full groom starts at a median of $70 across 1,593 salons. The price usually depends on your dog's size and coat. The salon confirms the price for your dog before the appointment.

PawsRx is a platform, not a groomer or a clinic. Salon prices come from the menus salons post on their own websites and change; the salon confirms the price for your dog. Product links go to Amazon search results, not to one product, and are affiliate links: PawsRx may earn a commission at no cost to you. We have not tested these products and do not rank brands. Skin problems, fleas and medicated shampoos are questions for a veterinarian. Nothing here is veterinary advice.