Beagles are adorable dogs that make excellent pets and hunting partners. They come in different colors, such as lemon, black, red, white, brown, and tan, and have a life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years. As a pet parent, you want the best food, care, toys, and more for your Beagle pup, including keeping the dog clean and groomed.
We shower daily, so should you bathe your dog at least once a week? Bathing a dog too often isn’t good for their fur or skin. So, how often should you bathe your Beagle? The ideal bathing frequency is once every 4 to 6 weeks. Read on for more details below.
How Often Should You Bathe a Beagle?
Experts say that you should bathe your Beagle every 4 to 6 weeks after they reach the age of 10 weeks. Remember, bathing them more often will dry out the oils in their skin and damage their fur.
Bathing them removes foul odors and debris from their coats. It’s vital to use a gentle dog shampoo and dry the pup thoroughly after their bath.
Why Is Bathing Your Beagle Important?
Since your furry friend has thick, short fur, the dirt doesn’t show up very well. Your Beagle could play in the dirt and mud all day, and you’d still think they were clean, except for the smell.
However, dirt and debris build up in their fur and on their skin over time, which can lead to matted fur, infections, and illnesses you don’t want to deal with. Bathing your Beagle regularly gets rid of the built-up dirt and dead hair, and accumulated oil to leave your Beagle fresh, smelling great, and with healthy, shiny fur.
Other Factors to Consider
While you can usually follow the rule of thumb of bathing your Beagle only once every 4 to 6 weeks, some factors make bathing the dog a must before the time elapses.
Skin Rashes or Underlying Allergies
Allergies are common in humans, but they’re also prevalent in dogs. If your dog has allergies or skin rashes, the schedule for their bath time may need to change. For example, if your dog has a rash, you might have to use a medicated shampoo and bathe them once a week until the rash is cleared up.
If you think your Beagle has a skin rash or allergy, it’s best to contact your vet to determine the cause of the inflammation and treat the condition.
Health Issues
If your dog has any health issues, it’s crucial to talk to your vet about how often the Beagle needs to be bathed.
Playing in the Mud
Outdoor pups can’t seem to resist the mud hole in the front yard, and you might have to adjust your schedule for bathing your pet so that they track mud throughout your home.
Coat Type
Some Beagles are prone to having dry skin. In that case, you may have to bathe your pet less frequently to prevent skin irritation.
What About Grooming Your Beagle?
While your Beagle won’t require the extensive grooming that a Poodle requires, there are still things that need to be done to keep your Beagle healthy, happy, and with a shiny coat. Caring for your Beagle’s ears and teeth is just as important as their skin and hair. Even though the dog has short fur, it’s still a good idea to brush them weekly to remove dead hair and dirt.
Your Beagle’s ears are long and floppy, which can become breeding grounds for bacteria, germs, and infections if you don’t take care of their ears properly. It’s best to clean their ears about once a month. Also, you’ll want to brush your Beagle’s teeth, so don’t forget to invest in a doggie toothbrush and toothpaste.
Final Thoughts
You should bathe your Beagle once every 4 to 6 weeks unless there are factors that warrant a bath sooner or later. Beagles are adorable pets that don’t require much in the way of grooming. However, they need monthly baths, daily tooth brushing, and monthly ear cleaning to stay healthy and happy.
Featured Image Credit: Wasitt Hemwarapornchai, Shutterstock
