Care And Health - Boston Terrier Nation

My Boston Terrier is quite an active little girl, which makes keeping her clean a priority. Things were a lot easier in the grooming department when she wasn’t as active. Boston Terriers need a bath every four to six weeks as a minimum requirement. More active dogs will need more frequent bathing. Bathing too much can lead to adverse skin problems, such as itching, depleted oils, and flaky skin. I am going to cover the bathing routines for the average Boston Terrier as well as exceptions to the rule, so if you’re curious or want more information, you should read on. I will also explain other grooming necessities that you must take care of in addition to bathing. How Often to Bathe Boston Terrier The standard rule of thumb for bathing a Boston Terrier is to give him a bath every four to six weeks. However, this is a guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule. If you have an extremely active dog, you may find the need to bathe him once a week. On the other hand, if your dog doesn’t really get out much, you may even be able to extend it to every eight weeks. You’ll have to deal with the impromptu baths when your dog becomes soiled. There are also situations where he may just be a little stinky and need some freshening up that could lead to an extra bath in between normally scheduled baths. Signs You’ve Bathed Your Boston Terrier too Often You’ll see a clear indication if your bathing schedule is too intense. Bathing too often or using hot water can lead to adverse effects on your Boston Terrier’s skin and coat. You can accidentally cause dried-out skin that’s flaky and itchy by giving your pup too many baths. Additionally, if you start to see a dull, lifeless coat, it’s time to back off a little. Factors that Affect How Often You Bathe Your Boston Terrier Several factors can impact your Boston Terrier’s bathing schedule. This can include anything from your dog’s health to the weather outside. What Is Your Climate Like? Where you live can impact how often you have to bathe your Boston Terrier. If you live in Texas and then move to New York, you’ll have a completely different bathing schedule because the climates are so different. How Active Is Your Boston Terrier? Your Boston Terrier’s activity level will also determine how often he needs a bath. If all your dog does is lay around cuddling on the couch, he’s not going to need to be bathed as often as a dog that’s constantly on the move. Does Your Boston Terrier Have Allergies? If your Boston Terrier has a problem with allergies, then you may have to increase the baths to a daily schedule. This will keep him from itching and being miserable. The severity of his allergies will determine if you need daily or weekly baths. Is Your Boston Terrier Stinky? Some Boston Terriers are naturally smelly. Because of this, they cannot always go four to six weeks without a bath. If your dog is one of these, then plan on extra baths to keep the stinkiness to a minimum. How Do You Groom a Boston Terrier? You’ve established a bathing routine. Now you need to know about the rest of the grooming requirements for your Boston Terrier. Make a plan to include these necessary tasks to keep your dog feeling and looking his best. Brushing Your Boston Terrier You should brush your Boston Terrier once a week. This will result in the removal of dead hairs. It’s also a great way to ensure that his coat has that nice healthy sheen that we associate with the breed. Brushing stimulates the production of oil to make the coat shine. Your Boston Terrier does not have a thick coat, so avoid bristle brushes. These can be uncomfortable and make the brushing process difficult. Take this opportunity to run your hands over your dog’s body looking for any hidden problems. You want to be able to identify any issues like pests, cuts, and lumps before they become serious. Cutting Your Boston Terrier’s Nails Your Boston Terrier will need his nails cut once every two to four weeks. The exact timing will be based on how often you need to trim back the nails so they do not touch the floor while he is standing. To be able to cut his nails, you may have to work your dog up to allowing you to touch his feet. Once he is comfortable with the process, trimming his nails will not be a struggle. Cleaning Your Boston Terrier’s Ears Handling ear infections early is important and one way to identify them is through regularly cleaning your Boston Terrier’s ears. You’ll be able to identify early warning signs and have the problem addressed as soon as possible, limiting the amount of pain and discomfort your pup feels. You should establish a routine where you clean his ears at least every two to four weeks. Cleanings may be more or less frequent depending on how quickly his ears become dirty and how much wax his ears produce. It is crucial that you do not get any water in your dog’s ear canals or leave any moisture behind when you are finished cleaning. This can create a breeding ground for bacteria and lead to major infections, which is the opposite of what you are trying to do. Cleaning Your Boston Terrier’s Eyes I’m sure you’ve noticed that your Boston Terrier has more prominent eyes than other dog species. His eyes require special care and attention to ensure they remain healthy. You will need to clean them at a minimum of once per week. Ensure there is no dirt or debris in his eyes. Also, take this time to clean any tear stains that have developed. Final Thoughts Owning a Boston Terrier means a lot less maintenance than other breeds. However, there are still bathing and grooming requirements that must be met to keep your pup in his finest state. Boston Terriers should be bathed every four to six weeks for the best results. Activity levels will have an impact on the frequency of required baths. If you notice skin irritation or a lusterless coat, decrease the frequency of bathing. Following a grooming schedule will keep your Boston Terrier looking fantastic and also aid in the identification of health problems so that you can get them treated as soon as possible. Make sure you have a plan in place to keep your dog looking and feeling great.