Why Do So Many Shiba Inu Owners Think Baths Are Bad For Shibas!!!??????

Most familiar with Shiba Inus know that Shibas are typically described as “cat-like” dogs that are fastidiously clean and have no doggy odor issues.

I’ve had multiple Shiba Inus for over a decade and can basically attest that these descriptions for the most part is true.

Most of my Shiba Inus were pretty cat-like either due to looks or catty-like behavior.

And in general, most of my Shibas were pretty clean - especially the ones I got to raise from puppy hood.

A few of the older Shiba Inu rescues I adopted had some potty issues - mostly involving the refusal to pee or poop in the correctly designated areas.

But in terms of the “no doggy odor” claim, I can say that I’ve had some smelly Shiba Inus.

And not smelly due to being dirty, but smelly simply because they possessed that E’au de Shiba Inu essence.

Kind of gamey, kind of wild, and oh so doggy smelling.

Which preludes nicely into to the topic of this article. Why do many (I mean a L.O.T.) of Shiba Inu owners believe bathing their Shiba Inu is so bad?!!?

Even so much as to exclaim they “never” bathe their Shibas!

Though the most common responses are “rarely”, or “twice a year”, or “once a year" - unless he rolls in poop”.

The main reason?

These anti-bath dog owners believe bathing too often will strip their dog’s skin of important natural oils - a claim which was true many decades ago - but not today (with exceptions).

So just where does this anti-bath sentiment come from?

Facts About The Origin of Dog Bathing Myths

A long time ago dog shampoos were basically made out of cheap and frighteningly caustic ingredients such as lye.

Needless to say, lye wasn’t very good for skin of dogs or anything living for that matter. But, it’s what was available for dogs at that time and so dog owners used it.

Because of the caustic nature of lye-based dog shampoos, it was always recommended to use sparingly because of the serious damage it can do to a dog’s coat and skin.

Fast forward a century, and now shampoo products for dogs are gentle, nourishing, and filled with ingredients such as herbs, essential oils, and fruit extracts.

All great for your dog’s skin and coat - but not so much for our pocketbook.

So in a nutshell, the “don’t bathe your dog often” belief is nothing more than a old wives’ tale that many stubbornly refuse to discard.

Dr. Katie Kangas, DVM asserts that bathing is a highly underutilized tool for managing skin health in dogs. She states in a article on Rover.com:

Following a reasonable bathing schedule for your Shiba Inu is important because bathing:

• Removes debris, allergens, chemicals (fertilizer, pesticides) accumulated on an in your dog’s coat that would otherwise be licked and ingested by your “cat-like” Shiba

• Helps to kill / wash away infectious organisms and parasites that cause bacterial, fungal, and yeast infections as well as ringworm, leptospirosis and mange https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/benefits-of-bathing-your-dog/

• Helps to heal inflamed, infected skin (especially when the root cause is due to allergies)

• Removes odors, improves hygiene (especially important for indoor Shibas)

• Removes excess skin oil and skin to improve circulation and reduce the clogging of pores

• Allows you to check for lumps, cuts and skin irritations

• Teaches your Shiba Inu to tolerate handling

• Improves bond with your Shiba Inu (with proper handling, energy)

If you have an indoor Shiba Inu - likely spoiled - you of course would prefer a clean house companion to snuggle with and share your favorite linens and furniture with.

So accordingly, indoor Shiba Inus should be bathed more frequently than outdoor Shiba Inus.

Going one step further, indoor dogs that have access to carpeted areas should probably be bathed more often simply for the fact that carpets retain odors and dirt more than solid floors.

Shiba Inus suffering from skin allergies benefit from more frequent bathing. Check with your veterinarian for precise guidelines.

https://www.medvetforpets.com/bathing-recommendations-dogs-allergic-skin-disease/

Humans with dog allergies / sensitivities also benefit from a dog that is bathed more often than not.

Bathing your dog excessively (every day) with the wrong shampoo and conditioner can strip your dog’s skin of their natural oils. 

These natural oils help keep your dog’s coat healthy and free from itching, damage, and infections.

If you notice your dog’s skin being dry, it’s best to change the shampoo your are using and include conditioning in your dog’s bathing routine if you don’t already do so.

Also, it’s best to give your dog’s skin a break from bathing and wait till it improves until trying a new gentler shampoo.

Ideally it’d be best to consult with your veterinarian, especially if you notice other skin issues such as redness and rash.

As you can see from the last two paragraph lengths , the benefits of bathing your dog FAR outweighs the dangers of “possibly” over bathing your dog.

Take social media comments with a grain of salt. Old wives' tales and myths spread like wildfire on social media platforms. 

It’s human nature for us to believe advice we receive from others that we share a same interest with.

However this fault can quickly lead to widespread misinformation if not properly fact checked.

So while there’s nothing inherently wrong with soliciting advice on the WWW - just be sure to verify the advice from reputable sources.

The health and well-being of our dog and human family members rely on the informed choices we make.

With the right mindset,  products and technique - figuring out how and when to bathe your Shiba will become easy. It’s not rocket science.

Here are some guidelines to help you along.

All dogs - even within the same breed lines - are different.

Shiba Inus are double coated dogs that have a handy top coat with moisture and dirt wicking capabilities.

Which means Shibas don’t need baths as often as long-haired dogs like Maltese that have coats that can easily trap debris. 

It’s best to assess your own dog’s needs as well as you and your families need in determining an workable bathing schedule.

Just as with most things in life - moderation is the best path.

Determining what a sensible bathing schedule for your Shiba Inu depends on a few key factors.

These factors include:

• Coat type (double-coated dogs like Shibas need less baths than long-haired dogs like Maltese)
• Environment (indoor or outdoor), walking area (tranquil suburbs / congested city)
• Behavior (typical clean and prissy Shiba or “likes to rub in it” not so prissy Shiba
• Health of Shiba Inu - Shiba Inus with skin allergies benefit from frequent bathing (Certain skin conditions call for less bathing [check with your veterinarian first]
• Health of human family - humans with allergies benefit from their pets being bathed more often
• Odor - if you or others can smell a not so pleasant doggy odor - it’s time for a bath

With that said a general bathing schedule for an indoor Shiba Inu would be optimally around once a month.

For outdoor Shiba Inus, every two to three months is fine.

If your Shiba Inu needs more frequent baths, then every ten days, or 3x a month is also reasonable provided you use a certified organic ph balanced dog shampoo with additional skin conditioner.

Remember, these are all just general guidelines. Over time, you should be able to discover a bathing routine that works best for your Shiba.

If your Shiba unexpectedly rolls in something unpleasant or gets muddy - don’t hesitate to bathe your dog just because you think it’s too soon, etc.

If you walk your Shiba Inu regularly, your Shiba Inu paws are exposed to dirt, germs, dog / human urination / excrement, human phlegm, viruses, food, allergens… the list goes on.

While you don’t have to give your Shiba Inu a bath after each walk, it’s best to give your dog’s paws a good wipe down before coming back indoors.