I HAVE been showering my labrador retriever a few times a week in this hot weather which he enjoys. But can bathing him too frequently cause problems?

Labrador wash

How often should you wash your dog in hot weather? (Image: GETTY STOCK)

A: Dogs don’t need bathing all that often.

Their skin naturally produces just the right amount of oil to keep their coats glossy.

So as a rule I would suggest occasional bathing only when the dog gets muddy or if there is a smell that you want to rein in.

For this your vet can advise on a mild shampoo that won’t lead to problems.

However, there are skin conditions that need frequent bathing.

Some produce either an oily, smelly coat (seborrhoea oleosa) or a dry, lifeless coat (seborrhoea sicca).

dog bath

Sometimes washing your dog can give them skin problems (Image: GETTY)

I don’t think your dog will suffer any ill-effects from showering during the hot weather.

David Grant

Shampoos for oily coats are called sebolytic and clear excess grease.

Dry coats need a veterinary moisturising shampoo or a specific veterinary shampoo for the cause of the problem, plus moisturiser.

Examination is essential for diagnosis so that the correct shampoo is used.

That said, I don’t think your dog will suffer any ill-effects from showering during the hot weather.

David Grant MBE was a vet at the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital for Animals. Write to him at Express Yourself, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN. He is unable to enter into individual correspondence.