Every dog owner knows that keeping your pup clean is a rare occurrence. One of the most commonly asked questions is “How often should I wash my Frenchie?”. This is a great question with a complicated answer as it depends on the dog’s breed, size, health, and level of activity.
If you have a French Bulldog, the answer becomes much more interesting. The French Bulldog is a crossbreed between Toy Bulldogs from England and Ratters from France.
French Bulldogs have a single short coat of hair because of this they get cold quickly. During summer, they are prone to heatstroke because it is hard for them to regulate their temperature efficiently. Also, they only have one layer coat breed, bathing them regularly can strip their skin of its natural oil which helps protect them.
So, it’s very important to have all the information you need to figure out how often you should bathe your Frenchie. You also need to know how to properly wash and keep your Frenchie clean in between baths. This blog will tell you everything you need to know.
As a Rule of Thumb
Most articles and owners will say that you should wash Frenchie every couple of months. However, this is not advice that I would take. You don’t want to bathe a Frenchie too often because you run the risk of stripping away the natural oils from their coat. These oils can act as a barrier and protect their immune system.
I like to tell families that are getting a puppy from me to only bathe their Frenchies if they absolutely need it. If they have been rolling around in the dirt or if they smell. Anything more, I find, is unnecessary. Then again, every French Bulldog is different.
Frenchies should be bathed once every 1 to 2 months. Many French Bulldog owners say they wash them 5- 6 times a year, or as needed. Most owners find the as needed comes more often. You don’t want to bathe Frenchies too often, or you’ll risk stripping their coats off their natural oils. If your Frenchie loves rolling in the dirt, you may find that more frequent washing.
Think About Your French Bulldogs Activity Level
Do you have a French Bulldog that loves to get dirty? Do they like to roll around in the mud? If you have to go beyond washing their paws, then you need to consider other options. Washing your French Bulldog with shampoos often can damage its coat and skin because of the chemicals found in shampoos.
As an alternative, you can use a dry cleaning foam with a wet towel to help get the dirt off their fur. Talk to your vet about suitable products for sensitive skin that is rich in herbs that provide essentials and healthy moister.
What Type of Skin Does Your French Bulldog Have?
Another thing to consider when answering the question ” How often should I was my French Frenchie?” is your dog’s skin type. Does your French Bulldog have sensitive skin or dry, flaky skin?
If your dog has any of the following above, the best bet is to consult with your vet to see what alternatives they can suggest.
Some French Bulldogs have really deep wrinkles where they can collect a lot of dirt. In these cases, you would want to wipe their faces fairly and clean their folds. One product that I love to use on my dogs to keep their folds healthy, clean, and clear of tear stains is Wrinkle Past by Squishy Face
On the other hand, all dogs, including Frenchies, have oils in their skin. It keeps both their skin and their fur healthy. But because French Bulldogs have short coats, it’s easy for bathing and cleaning products to take away these natural oils.
French Bulldogs With Allergies
If your French Bulldog has allergies, whether it’s environmental or dietary, the best course of action would be to consult with your vet on how often you should bath your Frenchie
Make It A Good Bath
Any Frenchie owner will tell you that giving your Frenchie a bath can be challenging. But, when you have committed to giving them a bath make sure it’s a good one and it’s enjoyable for them.
Here are some tips to help you and your little fur child make it more enjoyable.
Look for shampoos that are loaded with good essential oils, and herbs, and that smell great! Take your time. Make sure you get every part of the dog. Clean their ears, their skin folds, their tail pockets( a lot of infections start here if it’s not cleaned). Once you are done make your wipe your French Bulldogs wrinkles clean and dry and apply some Wrinkle Paste.
Take Away
To end this blog, I want to answer the question, “How often should I wash my Frenchie?” In the end, it comes down to how dirty and smelly your French Bulldog is.If they are covered in mud then it’s a no-brainer, they need a bath.
But if it’s just lighter dirt that can be cleaned up with dry shampoo, you don’t have to worry about a messy bath. The less often you wash your French Bulldog with water and cleaning products, the less their natural oils, skin, and coat will be affected.
It’s not as hard as many owners think to give your Frenchie a bath and keep him clean. Frenchies are trainable. Getting them used to bathing at a young age can make all the difference in how they feel about it.
If you are in the process of getting ready to bring home your french bulldog then check out the blog to learn how to prepare for your new french bulldog puppy. You can also check out the YouTube channel. to learn more about french bulldogs.
