Is it OK to wash a puppy? Yes, and in this post, you will learn all you need to keep your new pupper clean and feeling fresh.
So, how often to wash a puppy?
A very good rule of thumb is once a month. If your puppy gets extra dirty and needs to be washed more often, use only water. You can also use a moisturizing shampoo to avoid drying your puppy’s skin too much.
All and all, try not to wash your puppy more than once a week.
What to wash a puppy with?
Dog shampoos can be found in almost all pet stores and supermarkets. If your breed is partial to skin problems, it’s a safe bet to talk to your vet.
Puppy shampoos are usually quite clearly labeled so finding them shouldn’t be a problem. Although they usually are “tearless” and mild, be sure not to let it in your puppy’s eyes or ears.
A mention about shampoos and cleaning products meant for humans: don’t use them.
Dogs and human pH levels are nowhere near the same.
Products meant for humans are way too strong for the furs and skins of dogs, especially little puppies.
Cleaning products meant for people can cause a plethora of problems: skin irritation, itchiness, and flakiness among others. All and all it’s better to stave off using human cleaning products on dogs, young or old.
How to wash a puppy’s face
Just be extra cautious of your puppy’s eyes and ears and don’t let shampoo or even water in those places. Try to make the first baths as stress free as possible.
How to wash a puppy without shampoo
#1. Dish soap, but not straight on your dog. Make a mix with these ingredients:
- 5 dl of water
- 0.5 dl of dish soap
- 1 dl of white vinegar
Spread on wet fur and wash gently.
#2. Baking soda
It is great for pulling smells from a dog’s fur and it can scrub away dirt. It’s easy to whip up a shampoo with these simple ingredients:
- 2.5 dl of ground oatmeal
- 1.5 dl of baking soda
- 1 litre of water
#3. Cornstarch
You can use cornstarch to pull out grease and smells. Just sprinkle it all over your pupper’s fur after which you can rub the starch right in there. Just spread it evenly and you’re good. After this, you can just brush away the excess with a brush or comb.
#4. Baby wipes
Baby wipes (especially skin-safe) are the gentlest option, but if you’re in a pickle, facial wipes will do the trick as well.
Considering safety: don’t use wipes on your dog if you’re unsure if they are safe or not. Stick with dermo (skin) safe or baby wipes to avoid harmful ingredients and strong smells.
When can puppies have their first bath?
Not until they’re at least four weeks old, but you are better off starting when they turn six or eight weeks. Little puppies are still in the early stages of development and can’t fully regulate their body temperature so they can get quite cold.
If your puppy gets, for example, poo stuck to its fur, use baby wipes as the experience of a bath might be stressful for the little feller.
Should I bathe my puppy when I bring her home?
The best thing is to give your puppy time to acclimatize to the new surroundings. Let your puppy sniff around, find the food and water station, bed, sound, and noises, and get accustomed to your routines and timetables.
After all this, it’s time to maybe think about a bath. Just remember that a bath can be stressful so make sure your puppy is relaxed in your home first and you have gotten to know each other.
A couple of words about drying – how to dry a puppy
Can I use a hair dryer to dry my puppy?
You sure can, just remember a couple of things: pay attention and keep the tip of the dryer a few centimetres away from the dog’s coat and keep the dryer in constant motion so not to accidentally burn your puppy’s skin.
That being said, remember to put your hair dryer on the coolest setting possible as well.
Remember that a hairdryer can be scary for a puppy and even for a grown dog and you have to introduce it in stages: Show the dryer to your dog when turned off, let them sniff it, and then reward with praise and/or treats. Then you can turn it on, but don’t point it at your puppy, and then praise again.
You can do this in stages to let your puppy comfortably get to know the dryer so he learns not to be afraid of the dryer thus creating a stress-free moment.
If you bathe your dog regularly, which is a very good idea and should be part of your grooming routine, you might want to look at getting a doggy specific dryer rather than using your personal one.
These dryers don’t really generate heat: their idea is to blast air fast in order to remove water from the dog’s fur. This will leave your puppy slightly moist but will dry out quite swiftly on its own.
Drying thick coats
In the case of really thick coats, forced-air dryers are great, as these kinds of coats have a tendency to mat, so the forced air gets all the way to the skin while pushing the loose undercoat out.
Professional groomers use these dryers and for home use you can find one for less than $100.
If you own a dog with a long coat who has a tendency to get mucky and needs to be bathed often, there are dog-specific dryer models available. This might be a practical and good investment, it makes the drying process easier and less stressful – for both parties concerned.
Is it OK to let your dog air dry?
On the whole air drying is not recommended because it can cause fungus growth between the paw pads and/or places where the skin folds.
Worst case scenario, it can cause, for example, an ear infection. Especially dogs with long coats and undercoats can experience matting and in more serious cases something worse like hot spots.
If your dog has a shorter coat, you can let them air dry. It is also a good idea if your dog has sensitive skin, has a skin condition or you are otherwise concerned that towel drying and/or using a dryer might damage your puppy’s skin. It is a viable temporary option if you have to take extra care of your dog’s skin.