How Often Should You Bathe a French Bulldog?
Alex Vicente • Updated on August 22, 2023
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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
You’re on one of your daily walks with your Frenchie and it’s a particularly humid day.
Suddenly, you don’t hear their usual labored panting as they stare at what you might be dreading the most; a mud pile.
With no time to spare, your dog sprints to the pile and has the time of its life, while you’re thinking about bath time.
This might be a common occurrence on your walks, but you might be wondering, “How often should you bathe a French Bulldog?”
It might seem unlikely, but you actually only need to bathe your Frenchie around five to six times per year.
That said, if your dog is prone to getting themselves dirty more often, you can extend their bath time to around twice a month.
Stick around if you want to get more info on your French Bulldog’s bath requirements and more.
Table of Contents
How Often Should You Bathe Your Frenchie?
Your pudgy pet only has a single coat.
That layer is also short, unlike other long-haired and double-coated breeds like Golden Retrievers and Huskies.
That automatically means that they don’t need as much bathing and hygiene maintenance.
You should try to keep their bath times at a minimum, where only once every two to three months is enough.
What to Consider When Bathing Your French Bulldog?
Dogs all have their own lifestyles and personalities.
Some French Bulldogs might not like getting all wet and dirty, while others simply race to the mud pile.
Having that in mind, ask yourself, “What’s my pooch like?”
If your four-legged friend enjoys a muddy lifestyle, you might want to bathe them more often.
On the other hand, if your Frenchie is more careful with their precious coat, which might be rare, then you probably don’t need to reach for that showerhead as often.
Another factor worth considering is your French Bulldog’s skin type.
You should check with your vet if they have an allergy that might affect how often they need to bathe.
Some Frenchies are prone to having flaky skin which usually means their skin is too dry.
You should perform a regular check-up to see if there are any signs of redness, patches of fur lost, or irritation.
Keeping an eye on their behavior is also crucial. They might be itching or rubbing their faces more than usual.
In this case, less bathing is preferred, but going back to your vet is always the best option.
They will give you a proper diagnosis and prescription medication.
What Happens When You Bathe Your French Bulldog Too Often?
Maintaining tip-top hygiene might be one of your initial priorities.
Nevertheless, before you get to shampooing your dog again, think about this, “Am I bathing my French Bulldog too much?”
All dogs have natural oils protecting their hair from harsh environments.
Bathing too much can strip all these much-needed moisturizing body oils, leaving your Frenchie’s skin dry and itchy.
This is especially true for French Bulldogs since their fur is short, meaning the oils slip out much more easily than other long-furred breeds.
How to Bathe a French Bulldog?
Now that you know when you should bathe your French Bulldog, it’s time to get into the how.
If your fun-sized pet gets nervous when bath time rolls around, we recommend using this step-by-step guide to help you out.
Step 1: Mentally Prepare Your French Bulldog
While this step doesn’t involve the most action, it’s still one of the most vital.
Having an unpleasant bath time experience will only make things harder on both of you.
Firstly, you want to calm your Frenchie before entering the bathtub.
You can soothe them with encouraging words, petting them, and giving them treats as they go near the tub.
Make sure to prepare the bathtub beforehand as well. The water should be warm to the touch.
Wrap your French Bulldog in a towel if they’re already dirty to avoid getting the mud on your carpet.
Step 2: Wet the Coat
After your Frenchie is all settled in the bathtub, it’s time to give them a good rinse.
Since French Bulldogs have a lot of skin folds, make sure you get in all the crevices.
If your pet isn’t used to the water, this step might take some time, but this is where you’ll need some patience.
The dog’s coat should be all soaked for the next step.
Step 3: Use Shampoo
You don’t necessarily need to use a large squeeze of shampoo since a French Bulldog is small in size and only has one coat.
After getting the shampoo in your hands, massage, and lather it all over their skin.
Remember to always get behind their ears, paws, belly, neck, and underarms. Those areas tend to collect dirt.
Aside from that, you might be thinking about what kind of shampoo you should be using on your Frenchie. There are several options available in the market.
If your dog suffers from allergies, consulting your vet is preferable to get a prescribed shampoo.
Otherwise, you can simply use baby shampoo.
That way, if it gets in their eyes, it won’t burn them.
Step 4: Rinse and Repeat if Needed
Afterward, you just need to rinse out all of the lather.
Try to be as thorough as possible. Dried-up shampoo residue can cause more itchiness and skin issues.
If your French Bulldog still seems covered in dirt or mud, then another shampooing session could be needed.
Step 5: Brush the Coat
Before you dry your Frenchie’s fur, brush out their coat.
The showering process has already probably gotten rid of a lot of fur.
Even though their fur is short and only single coated, French Bulldogs actually shed all year round.
It’s best not to skip this step.
Step 6: Towel Dry
Your Frenchie’s prayers have been answered and it’s finally the end of bath time.
Get another towel, apart from the one already used initially, and wrap it around your dog.
Shake it up and make sure to get underneath all the skin folds to avoid further complications such as skin fold dermatitis.
To Conclude
How often should you bathe your French Bulldog?
The answer depends on your dog’s routine and how often they get dirty.
Generally, you should be bathing your Frenchie five times per year, but if it calls for more time, then once or twice a month should be enough.
One thing’s for sure, you should always try to make their bathing experience as calming as possible.
After all, they deserve it since they bring so much joy into your life.
About Alex Vicente
Dog Lover, Founder & Chief Editor at Paws Insider
I’ve been rescuing dogs since a very early age. I got my first dog when I was 9 years old and I remember how he, out of a litter of 6 puppies, started running towards me. He’d just chosen me. Ever since then, my love for dogs only grows stronger and I want what’s best for them. My mission is to let our readers know about the best products in the market for our best friends, as well as providing guides and tips on how we can take better care of them.