How often can I give my puppy a bath
How often should you bathe a puppy?
How often should you bathe a puppy? Dog owners may have different opinions on the topic, but there is a general consensus regarding how often you should give your pup a bath according to the delicacy of their skin.
It's common for many pet owners to think of washing their puppy on a frequent basis since they can easily get into a mess but overbathing may actually cause more harm than good. If your pup has rolled around in some of their own poop, then it's clear that a bath is in order, but make sure you're using the most efficient dog shampoo for new friend. While many adult dog shampoos are safe for you to use on your puppy, there are a range of dedicated products specifically created to meet their sensitive skin.
In this guide well be taking a look at how regularly you should wash your puppy, what dog shampoo you should use, how to bath nervous puppies, and the benefits that washing them can bring.
How often should you bathe a puppy?
The answer to this question is: it depends. You dont necessarily need to wash your puppy if theyre not obviously dirty or smelly, especially if theyre a little bit nervous. It will also depend on how long your dogs fur is, how much they smell naturally, and the propensity they have for getting mucky.
However, if theyve rolled in something particularly disgusting, or youre treating them for something like fleas and ticks, then itll of course be more often.
A good rule of thumb to aim for is no more often than once every 2-3 weeks, especially when they are very young, unless they really need it.
Can I wash my dog too much?
Absolutely. Puppies in particular have delicate skin that is still developing a natural resistance to infections and skin problems. Too much washing can strip your puppy of their natural oils that makes them resilient, so its worth bearing that in mind.
It can be tempting when youre a new puppy parent to think you should wash your dog every day, just like you would a human baby (or yourself), but its really not necessary, and can also be a little overwhelming and distressing for many puppies.
A good idea is to always have a pack of pet wipes to hand to give them a quick freshen up, or you could also consider dry shampoo for the same reason. A full bath or wash should generally be reserved for when they are muddy, have been swimming in dirty/salty water, or have rolled in something unsavory.
What type of dog shampoo should I use for puppies?
Its always worth having to hand a good supply of shampoo ready for washing your dog; you can guarantee theyll definitely roll in something if your cupboard is bare.
You should always avoid using human shampoo for your dog, as its different chemical formulation is not good for your dogs skin especially a puppys. If youre in a real pinch and you absolutely must wash them, baby shampoo is a much better option than adult shampoo.
As well as more general dog shampoo, dedicated puppy shampoo is also available. Shampoo which is developed for younger dogs takes into account their more delicate skin, while some formulations promise to be kinder on eyes which is helpful if youve got a wriggly puppy who isnt used to baths just yet.
Our guide to the best dog shampoo will help you pick a formula which works well for your dog including a recommendation for puppies.
How do I bathe a nervous puppy?
Many dogs are understandably a little nervous around baths and water, making it important that you work hard to introduce bath time to your puppy in a safe and calming manner.Even if you dont need to wash your puppy all that often, there will inevitably come a time when its necessary, so its best to get them used to it from a young age.
Start by placing your dog in the bath with no water running to get them used to the environment first. You could also put one of their best puppy toys in with them and make it a playful activity. Slowly introduce small amounts of warm water and have plenty of puppy treats and encouragements on hand, too.
Give them plenty of praise as you wash them with shampoo, and pick them up with a clean, dry and warm towel while continuing to heap praise on them. Dont use a hairdryer on nervous dogs, but instead towel dry them as much as possible and leave them to dry naturally.In the colder months, make sure they have somewhere warm they can retreat to as well.
For more detailed information about bathing dogs, check out our in-depth How often should I bathe my dog feature. If youre worried about a nervous puppy, also check out the top reasons why dogs hate baths.
Bath time bonding
All-in-all, too much washing of your puppy can be detrimental to their health, but dont forget about the positive aspects too. Bath time can be a great way to bond with your new puppy, and of course youll leave your pooch, and your home, smelling clean and fabulous.
By following our tips for washing your puppy, you should be left with a calm, healthy, happy and clean dog throughout its life.
Looking for more? Find out exactly how to bathe a puppy in our step-by-step guide.
Make Puppy Bath Time Simple and Fun
Puppy bath time should be fun! But giving a puppy a bath something that new puppy parents often worry about. Today we are going to take you step by step through the baby dog bathing process. Making it as easy as possible. Ill share how often to bathe a puppy, where to do it, what puppy cleaning supplies you need, and give you instructions for making your bath time routine puppy perfect.
Contents
When Can You Give A Puppy A Bath?
So when can puppies have their first bath? The answer is that its absolutely fine to give your new puppy a bath if they need one, on their very first day home. The chances are that wont be necessary. But it wont hurt. But what do we mean by if they need one Should you wait until your puppy is muddy or visibly dirty?
You dont have to wait until your puppy gets dirty to bathe them. You can bathe your puppy if they smell most puppies smell great, but occasionally a new puppy is a bit smelly when the breeder hands it over.
You can also bathe your puppy just to get them used to it, and well talk a bit more about that in a moment. And later on if your puppy has been swimming in salt water a bath or a good rinse in clean water may be in order.
Puppys First Bath
Planning your puppys first bath? Puppy bath time doesnt need to be a daily event. Small puppies dont need daily baths in the same way that human babies do. Plus, some folks with clean healthy dogs never bathe their puppies at all. Unless the puppy gets poop on themselves or steps in something equally nasty, of course.
But for now, this means there is no specific date on which you should give your puppy his first bath. Lets take a look at when you might want to give your puppy his first bath, and how often you should bathe him after this.
Though you should be careful if you are raising a litter of puppies not to bathe them unless completely necessary before they are 8 weeks old. Bathing puppies at 3 weeks old might seem appealing as they are just starting to get messy, but wiping them with a damp cloth and towel drying will suffice.
Can You Bathe a Puppy at 8 Weeks Old?
There is no minimum puppy bath age. You can bathe a puppy at 8 weeks old, if he needs a bath. Most puppies will at some point. After all, they are prone to falling and stepping in poops and puddles! But, this doesnt mean your puppy will need a full bath every day.
When Can You Bathe Them Regularly?
There are a couple of cons to bathing dogs regularly. Especially once they are out and about in the world. But, there are some pros too, so well look at both.
One of the main disadvantages of regular baths is that even the gentlest of shampoo is likely to disrupt the natural balance of your puppys skin and fur to some extent. Plus, it disrupts the natural waterproofing that fur develops as your puppy matures.
Dont Lose Friendly Bacteria
Under your puppys fur is a little microworld of friendly bacteria. This helps to keep your puppys skin at just the right level of acidity. Changing that balance with shampoo may reduce your puppys natural resistance to skin problems and infections. Your puppys soft baby coat is replaced by a typical adult coat in the first few months of life. Lets take a look at this coat in more detail.
Waterproof Adult Fur
Between six and twelve months old, most puppies will have grown their adult fur. One of the traits of adult fur in many dogs is that it is fairly waterproof. This waterproofing is made by oils from the skin. Plus, it helps keep your dog warm and comfortable when he swims or goes out in the rain. This is also what makes the smears youll see on a white wall if your dog regularly sleeps up against it!
Shampoo strips out those natural oils. When this happens, water can penetrate your dogs coat right through to the skin. So, regular baths are neither essential, nor even a very good thing. But surely your pup needs a wash from time to time or hell get smelly? So just how often can you bathe a puppy?
How Often Should I Bathe My Puppy?
So theres a good case for not bathing an adult dog too often, and good reasons to bathe a puppy regularly. But how often should you bathe your puppy? Are we talking daily baths here? There is no hard and fast rule but heres a puppy bathing schedule for you to use as a guide:
- Once a week until three months old
- Once a month until six months old
- Twice a year thereafter or as necessary
But, bear in mind that it probably wont hurt your puppy if you never bathe them at all. So why use the schedule above? I mentioned before that there were some benefits to regular bathing, lets look at those now.
Benefits of Regular Baths
One of the major benefits is to let the puppy to get used to being bathed. Lets face it. Hes almost certainly going to need a bath at some point in his life. Your puppy may need a bath:
- For medical reasons (infections, parasites, allergies)
- To remove nasty substances from fur
- To reduce odor
If a puppy has never had one before, a bath on his third birthday because he meets a skunk or steps in some engine oil, is going to be a pretty traumatic experience.
It Helps You Too!
The other benefit is really for you. Some breeds of dog, especially some of the sporting breeds have a natural strong body odor. Labradors and other sporting dogs can be very smelly. Some dogs are affected more than others. My yellow Lab for example smells very strong if not bathed occasionally. While my chocolate Lab has only the mildest body odor.
Many dogs smell stronger as they get older. Older dogs can get very smelly if not bathed occasionally. As can dogs that are more likely to get grubby due to having folded skin, like a Bulldog, or short legs, like a Dachshund. Some dogs even have a tendency to pee on their own legs, like the lovely Whippet, so theyll need a more frequent wash!
Staying Happy
To avoid upsetting your older dog if you need to start giving them baths from time to time, its a good idea to get a puppy used to baths right now. This means its a good thing for all puppies to be used to happy bath times from an early age.
Bathe your puppy once a week for the first three or four weeks, then once a month until they are six months old, then at least twice a year after. Then, bath-time should be a peaceful non event for your dog. He wont be scared when he sees the shampoo come out. The whole experience will be no big deal.
Some dogs will need bathing more regularly than others due to their coat type. Curly dogs like Poodles or Doodles need bathing more often than Labs or German Shepherd dogs with their straight double coats. Dogs with short single layered coats will need the least scrubbing!
What Will You Need For Your Puppys First Bath?
To bathe your puppy you will need:
- Puppy shampoo
- A small tub
- Lukewarm water
- A wide mouthed comb
- Puppy conditioner
- Towels
Dont be tempted to use human shampoo on a puppy. If you get it in his eyes they will sting and he wont want to have another bath, ever again. Baby shampoo can be used in an emergency. But a dogs skin is less acid than human skin. So, its best to use a puppy shampoo designed for the purpose.
Where To Bathe A Puppy
Bathing your dog in the bathtub is fine for older dogs, but some puppies may panic if plunged into a giant white bathtub. Which if you think about it, isnt really that surprising! You can help accustom your puppy to the big bath by standing him in it for a few seconds, a few times a day. Plus, give him some tasty treats to eat while hes in there.
A popular alternative for bathing a puppy is the kitchen sink. But be careful as wet puppies are slippery and if he wriggles out he may fall and hurt himself. If your puppy doesnt like the bathtub, a safer place is in a plastic washing up bowl on the kitchen floor!
What About Showers?
With a small puppy you might be tempted take them into the shower with you, but some will find this a bit scary, and you will have to have the water a lot cooler than you would feel comfortable with, so its not a great idea. If the weather is fine you can do the whole thing outside, using a portable dog shower.
My portable dog shower has made puppy bath time much easier. And the 5 litre tank is enough for one adult Labrador without refilling. Especially if you make her wet with water from a cup first. You can also get battery operated portable shower heads. These have a little pump at one end that you stick in a bucket of water. I should think they are easier to store than the pump action container type that I use.
Bathing A Puppy, Step By Step
Now weve taken a good look at when to bathe your puppy, plus the pros and cons of puppy bath time. So, lets move on to the actual bathing process.
Youll need puppy soap, or puppy shampoo, which is especially formulated so as not to sting your puppys eyes. And has the extra benefit of smelling wonderful!
Some dog shampoos are suitable for young puppies, but you do need to read the label. You dont need medicated puppy shampoo unless your veterinarian has advised it.
Preparation
First of all, make sure you have everything ready. If you dont have a hand held shower spray, youll need an enamel or plastic cup for rinsing. Or a portable shower. Set your cup out within reach of the bath. Along with the puppy shampoo or puppy soap, and at least two good sized towels.
Many puppies will also love some tasty treats. So have a pot of these to hand too. You want to make bath time the best fun so that he is happy to repeat it next time its needed.
It is also a really great idea to have a helper with you the first time you bath him. Controlling a wet wriggling puppy is not the easiest of tasks, so a second person can help! On top of all this, you need to have an extra towel or handy to dry the wet floor when youre finished!
Puppy Bath Water Temperature
First you need to make sure youre using the right temperature of water. You can test the heat on the inside of your wrist to avoid burning your puppy. Lukewarm water will make the whole process the most comfortable for your puppy. Wet the puppy with this warm water a little before you apply shampoo. But dont be surprised if this is difficult!
Most puppies have quite water repellent coats. Spread a little slick of shampoo down the puppys spine. Then with very wet hands start to work it into his coat. Do each leg in turn and then his tummy and bottom. Dont shampoo the puppys face unless absolutely essential. And keep the shampoo away from his eyes.
Rinse and Repeat!
Keep adding a little more water to spread it around and overcome the water resistance of the coat. Rinse thoroughly with your plastic cup or (shower spray). And change the water before repeating. The second shampoo will be much more successful and you should be able to work up a nice lather. It is very difficult to thoroughly wet most dogs.
Give the puppy a little treat at frequent intervals. You may need to use a whole meal up this way the first time, to keep him happy. Its really important to make sure your puppy is thoroughly rinsed off. Leaving any shampoo residue on your puppy can cause skin problems.
Should I Use Dog Conditioner?
Some people like to use dog conditioner as well as shampoo when they are bathing their dog. Especially if their dog has longer fur, as it can help to prevent knots and tangles. However, this is not essential.
You do not need to use conditioner when bathing your puppy, shampoo will be enough. But if you do decide to use one, make sure it is specifically made for dogs. Plus, make sure you rinse thoroughly after conditioning, so that none of the product is left on your dogs skin.
Puppy Bathing Tips
When your puppy has been thoroughly rinsed off, lay a towel over your lap and scoop him up in the other. He may shake off the water before you are able to do this, so prepare to get a little wet! Pop your pup into your lap and give him a good rub down. Most puppies will find this fun and exciting. So be prepared for playful nipping and grabbing at the towel.
(paid link) If you have someone helping you, it can be easier for one person to gently hold onto the puppy whilst the other dries him off. He will shake when you put him down. This will happen no matter how well you dry him!
Air Dry vs Hair Dry
You can leave him to air-dry in a warm room. Give him a towel to scoot around on if he wants. As this will speed up his drying and keep the damp away from some of the rest of your house.
If he seems happy then put it on a low, warm setting and focus the stream of air from the dryer through your hand with your fingers spread out. This is so you can make sure the temperature isnt too hot on his skin.
You can dry your puppy with a hairdryer. If he doesnt mind the noise. But, if he seems unsure, then you have two options. Either dont use it, or very gradually get him used to the noise.
Youll need to do this at a distance, then move slowly towards them whilst someone cuddles your pup in their lap and gives them treats. Do this every day and make very slow progress. If your pup seems upset, move back further away to a point they are happy. Only inch closer when they appear to be completely disinterested in its noise.
Totally Dry Dogs
Its important to dry your dog thoroughly, especially if they have a double coat. Leaving your dogs coat wet can encourage fungal infections or hot spots. So, feel your dogs coat with your fingers after a bath to find any areas that need extra attention.
Plus, make sure to speak to your vet if your dog shows signs of irritation following his bath. They can help you find the cause of this, and avoid any further problems in the future.
Puppy Bath Time Routines
It will help you and your dog to have a clear routine for bath time. Keep it going with simple steps, setting up the equipment before you start, and have a clear end time when drying is over. Make sure to reward them throughout, and remember not to over wash them.
However you choose to wash and dry your pup, just remember to make puppy bath time as enjoyable and fun for him as possible. Plus, use a dog shampoo specifically made for dogs to avoid any harsh soaps.
But, by all means bathe your puppy if he is really grubby or has rolled in something smelly. And bathe him often enough for it not to be an alien experience. But dont overdo it. For small mishaps, or muddy paws, wet wipes are often all that youll need. And remember, there is no such thing as too many towels, when you have a wet dog in the room!
