Guest FrankieWylie Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I know one of the fabulous things about these guys is they don't NEED baths. However, with my husbands allergies, we want to stay as on top of it as we can. Is a bath every week too much? Every two weeks? Can you over bathe them? They each got a bath before they even stepped foot in the house, and then one last weekend. So that was basically two in the span of two weeks. I'd love to give them another bath this weekend as Magic still has some sever skin and hair shedding going on. Is there such a thing as too many baths? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambuca Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Yes, you can over bathe them. It can severely dry out their skin and hair if bathed to often. I think once a month is probably more than they should get, but may be ok. You need to just watch then and see what works for them. Yes, you can over bathe them. It can severely dry out their skin and hair if bathed to often. I think once a month is probably more than they should get, but may be ok. You need to just watch then and see what works for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sweetpea Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 (edited) Too many baths can dry out their skin and make skin and shedding issues worse. Remind me how long you've had your dogs? I know 3 months after Sweetpea came home, she blew her coat, which was a whole lot of fur flying, let me tell you. But it passed, and her new grown up coat came in, and now she's the least of our shedding problems in this house. (3 cats, one with long hair, oy...) Is your husband allergic specifically to dog hair and dander? (Does anyone else remember the Brady bunch episode where they almost had to get rid of the dog until they figured out that Jan was allergic to the flea powder they were putting on him?) I only ask because he might not react to the dogs as badly as you imagine he will. (Unless he's already reacting, then disregard!) Other folks will have advice about skin and coat supplements that might help Magic. Good luck! Buzzy Edited November 19, 2011 by sweetpea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Yes, you can bathe a dog too much. Once a week is WAY too often, IMHO. Once a year is enough for most Greyhounds. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fostr_Mom Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 When my kids need a quick cleanup between their usually twice a year bath, I use a waterless shampoo and a wet washcloth to just wipe them down. There is a conditioner in it. Doesn't dry out their skin and is quick. You might consider doing this once a month, and just brush once a day outside and wipe down with a towel to keep any dander down. Quote <p>Mom to Kyle (Diehard Kyle) & Angel Gracie (KB's Sankey) Foster Mom for AFG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FrankieWylie Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 We've had the boys since October 30. My husband is allergic to it all LOL! Fur, dander, saliva etc. I am thinking dander more than fur though since that's what greyhounds apparently have less of and he has minimal reaction to them. He is also allergic to flea dips, certain dog shampoos and etc. When I tell you his being able to tolerate these guys is a miracle, that is not an exaggeration. I was thinking that more than once a month was probably too much, but wanted to check! If it were ok to give them baths every two weeks we totally would because they love it! We will just stick to brushing and wiping them down for now Magic gets extra pampering since he has bad "elbows" and his poor bum is still bare and has some issues. He totally enjoys his spa time Thanks y'all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 If you give them a good brushing and then wipe them with a damp cloth, that'll help pick up any stray hairs and dandruff. New to home + the time of year many dogs turn over their coat for the winter could = more shedding and dandruff for a bit. I probably wouldn't bathe with shampoo any more often than once every other month. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnzaFerrari Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Enza gets a bath in the spring and in the fall. Maybe another one in the Summer but that's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissy Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Summit has had one bath in the year that we've had him, right after we got him because he smelled like the kennel. He had a "half bath" in the spring when he lay down in a mud puddle and got his belly all covered in dirt. Once a week is WAAAAY too often. If you want to bathe them more frequently than every few months make sure you use cold water. Aside from this being preferable for greyhounds because they tend to faint if you wash them with warm water, using cold water will also prevent their skin from drying out. Use a moisturizing shampoo/conditioner as well. Quote Kristie and the Apex Agility Greyhounds: Kili (ATChC AgMCh Lakilanni Where Eagles Fly RN IP MSCDC MTRDC ExS Bronze ExJ Bronze ) and Kenna (Lakilanni Kiss The Sky RN MADC MJDC AGDC AGEx AGExJ). Waiting at the Bridge: Retired racer Summit (Bbf Dropout) May 5, 2005-Jan 30, 2019 Like us on Facebook! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tammara Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I have bad allergies and we try to bathe the dogs one a month and have never had any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KF_in_Georgia Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 If the hair and dander are getting to be a bit much, try just rinsing the dogs, brushing and drying them, but avoid the skin-drying shampoos. Just water, no "product." Also, if the dogs ever are itchy after a bath, assume you didn't get off all the shampoo and just rinse them again--thoroughly. Quote Kathy and Q (CRT Qadeer from Fuzzy's Cannon and CRT Bonnie) and Jane (WW's Aunt Jane from Trent Lee and Aunt M); photos to come. Missing Silver (5.19.2005-10.27.2016), Tigger (4.5.2007-3.18.2016), darling Sam (5.10.2000-8.8.2013), Jacey-Kasey (5.19.2003-8.22.2011), and Oreo (1997-3.30.2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zombrie Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 (edited) I am also allergic to dogs and do really well with greyhounds even when they are filthy (I work at a greyhound kennel). I bathe mine every couple months, but not at all during the winter (unless they get something on them that made them dirty). Edited November 19, 2011 by zombrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rschultz Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Lexie get 3-4 full baths a year. I do wipe her down with warm water after she visits nursing homes. A little fish oil in their food can keep the coat smooth and soft. Quote Lexie is gone but not forgotten.💜 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I bathe Ruby once a month and then 5 days later put on her heartworm medication. I have been using this routine for 18 months and she has never had a problem with dandruff or acted itchy. I use a oatmeal soap and also a oatmeal conditioner and she always looks so shiny and smells good. She doesn't seem to shed too bad either but there is always a lot of hair in the shower drain. I use ear cleaner too right before her shower and the vet always says her ears look great. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Yes, you can over bathe which may strip the oils from the coat but, using the proper shampoo can eliminate that problem. My hound has horrible seasonal allergies that can be controlled with weekly medicated baths. We use a medicated shampoo and there has been no drying, flaking - in fact if we don't bathe weekly his skin and coat become a wreck. So, if you need to do more frequent bathing because of your family's medical problems just make sure you use a mild moisturizing made for dogs shampoo. Use cool to lukewarm water to help prevent drying of the skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 i have had great success using ALLERPET when my allergies flare up. it breaks up the enzymes and dander on the coat that we allergies sufferes are bothered by. i bath the dogs 2-3xs a year max,(mild shampoo w/ built-in conditioner) but they do get a good hosing down during the warm months(just water no shampoo- it cools them and keeps the outdoor allergies out of the house) when they are hot after running. using a curry comb(extra soft) and a stiff brush (found at tack shops) helps w/ the shedding then a wipe down w/ allerpet(on a wash cloth of a wad of paper towels) should help keep things under control. for allergies i find the following really helps: it's no dogs in the bedroom, lots of vacuuming, washing the dog bed covers every other week, keeping the car clean(man do they shed in the car) and don't forget the zyrtec and eye drops. i do react to other dogs more than my own, but that's because they are NEVER bathed!(they had the one and only wash when adopted years ago) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 When I worked at the daycare/boarding kennel the groomer said more than once a month was generallly not a good idea. Poodle gets beautified about every 6 weeks and the greys get a bath in the yard with the hose once or twice a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HHHounds Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Bath less often and clean house more often... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mariah Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Has anyone else used the dog wet wipes? I had pretty good success with those. They don't dry out the skin the way a bath would, but still take care of dirt/odor. I would use those every two or three weeks and do a regular bath every three months or as needed. Something to look into maybe? Some of them do shed a lot when they first come home. I read somewhere that you should brush them daily or every other day with one of those rubber mitt gloves for the first few weeks, which is what I did. Over time it wasn't needed anymore than once a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FordRacingRon Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Leia gets her Christmas bath and her summer bath. I should add though she is not an outside dog,,spend maybe 1 1.2 hours a day outside and most of that is walking. We have a dog visiting us right now while her parents are on a cruise. She is a fawn and her fur is really soft. Although Leia's brindle coloring doesn't bother me, the fur from our guest kills me. I found the Benedryl we keep aroudn the house takes car of that. PS: our guest is 12 years old. I am nervous as all get out having a 12 year old here,,,I keep an eye on her like a hawk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trihounds Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Holy smokes - there is a lot of bathing going on!! While I realize a 'reasonable' amount of bathing poses no risks and the dogs may enjoy it, we've gone 2.5 years without bathing the dogs. We obviously could have but have not been presented an actual reason to bathe them. They have no smell, no dandruff, minimal shedding. Their coats are shiny and healthy so in our house....if it ain't broke.... Quote Doe's Bruciebaby Doe's Bumper Derek Follow my Ironman journeys and life with dogs, cats and busy kids: A long road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I bathe my dogs probably two to three times a year, usually in the warmer months. Both had multiple baths this year due to two skunk encounters, we used the Dawn dish detergent recipe which really dried out their skin, took awhile for them to get their nice, soft coats back. Linda, Bella and Keeva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Once a week? I'd be very concerned about their skin with that many baths. I'd definitely scale the bathing back drastically. Merlin has been with us since January 2007 and he has had about two baths. Sagan has been here since 2008 and has never been bathed. They both smell amazing. They do shed. The trick is to vacuum every single day. I hope your DH gets some relief soon. I am assuming he is on anti-histamines? Are they not helping? Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTRAWLD Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 We bathe the boys a few times a year. They get bathed outside because it's so much easier than sticking them in the tub. They get their last one of the year on the last nice day in October, and their first one of the year on the first nice day in the spring sometime. If between that time in the winter they are really gungy I will take the plunge and give them a bath in our bathtub. During the summer they get one as I see fit, typically every six weeks I think is how it's been equalling out. Kasey has environmental allergies and we tried bathing him more often to help his skin recover, that was really the only time we bathed him more regularly when he was going through his trials, etc. If I run my hands on the boys and my hands come up all gross after a couple passes, a bath is in order!! Quote Proudly owned by:10 year old "Ryder" CR Redman Gotcha May 201012.5 year old Angel "Kasey" Goodbye Kasey Gotcha July 2005-Aug 1, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest verthib Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Should be bathed no more than once per quarter. You'll make the skin dry out and flake even more. They already have low oils. Can he try allergy meds and then slowly back off? It's amazing how the body can adjust to most allergens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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