How often should I give my chihuahua a bath?
My friend bathes her chihuahua once a week and I bathe mine a few times a year. Who’s right?
Chihuahua skin is very delicate, too much washing will cause dry skin and flakiness. Once a month is plenty. If your chihuahua is mostly indoors, then you can get away with even longer between baths. Instead of a bath, you can also wet and squeeze dry a paper towel and wipe down her fur, feet, and tushy, to keep her clean between baths. Don’t use perfumey baby wipes or anything with alcohol. Brush your chihuahua regularly to keep her coat shiny and smooth, especially if she’s a longcoat. Here’s what to do if you want to give your chihuahua a bath:
- Brush her first to get any tangles out
- Put her in the kitchen sink or the bathtub, but make sure she can’t jump out.
- Wet her down with warm water using a sprayer or a small bucket.
- Apply dog shampoo – it’s very important that you DO NOT use human shampoo, even those made for babies. Dog shampoos are pH balanced for your dog’s skin and won’t dry it out.
- Start at the neck, work into a lather and continue down the back. Don’t forget the feet.
- Avoid putting shampoo on her face, she won’t like that. Also avoid getting water in her ears, she’ll hate that. I tried using cotton balls, but my dogs shake them out.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water, several times until water runs clean.
- Dry with big thick towel. If you need to dry them faster, use a hair dryer set on very low heat, but I usually just let them run around, shake and roll until they’re dried on their own.
- Make sure they stay in a warm area until they’re dried.
Tags: Bath, Chihuahua Puppy, Grooming, Health
November 12, 2011
MIa :
I just rescued a 1 1/2 year old Chi from a friend who couldn’t care for him. I’ve noticed, though I’ve washed him several times, he gets disgusting within two weeks of washing him. I’ve used a skin cleaner, I’ve used a wet paper towel, I’ve brushed him every day, but nothing seems to work. He still smells like mud and poo at the end of two weeks. My mom says this is bad for his skin and he’ll be uncomfortable, but he always seems more comfortable after his bath as he rolls around on my bed and floor. What do I do??
December 13, 2011
Ariel :
My chihuahua doesnt like it when i try to cover him on is bed with a blanket he prefers to run around.
December 22, 2011
bebe :
this was helpful thanks
September 3, 2012
Matusiak :
This was very helpful. My dog loves baths – sarcasm –
December 23, 2012
Girlie Anne Ramos :
I love it
December 23, 2012
Girlie Anne Ramos :
My pet chichuauahua is so adorable in taking a bath he love it ! Thanks for this website
From:America snofer village.
December 23, 2012
Girlie Anne Ramos :
🙂
February 28, 2013
Laura :
What about short haired chihuahua’s?
November 2, 2014
destiny :
I’m 8 I don’t know when to bathe my chihuahua
September 10, 2015
sandy :
I took over a 4 yr old chi,she is an inside dog puppy pad trained,but loves to just go outside to do her business instead.She is just so clean that she is not wearing a flea collar,and has not had any fleas as long as i have had her,she doesn’t have that dog smell (odor) on her because we bath her every 2 days some times every 3 days ,we use dog shampoo followed by human conditioner,and she loves it !!!! .Every one who comes near her comment that she does not have a dog scent on her..I think that if your chi is good with a great bath,and conditioner helps her skin from drying than there should be nothing wrong with it ,.At first i was sceptical about it but have come to find out that it has been working just fine for us and my chi as well.I hope this can help others.