With cute looks and personalities, living with puppies is always an incomparable happiness for animal lovers.
But before taking a furry friend home, remember that proper grooming, especially in regular bathing, is never easy.
So, what can you wash a puppy with? How to properly bathe your dog while keeping your little friend comfortable without the fear of water?
Our article is the key to solving all your questions about the periodic bathing of your pet.
Scroll down, and you’ll find the best recommendations and the step-by-step guide to the meticulous bathing process.
What Can You Wash A Puppy With?
Depending on the dog’s age, you must apply different bathing methods for them. Usually, younger dogs need to limit the use of pet oil products.
Here are the two most commonly used methods on what to wash puppies with:
Using Lukewarm Water With A Rag
For a new breed of puppies, you definitely shouldn’t rush into bathing them. Exposure to clean water (at any temperature) can cause heat stroke in their immature bodies, even endangering their lives.
So, what can you wash a puppy with?
You should consider bathing a puppy at 10 weeks with a wash rag soaked in mildly warm water.
Since a puppy’s body temperature is always higher than human skin, your temperature experience and your dog’s will differ.
Using Pet Shampoo
Puppy shampoo has many types to serve different bathing purposes and ages of dogs. For those wondering, “What can I use to wash my puppy”, we have some typical examples below.
The puppy’s tearless shampoo with friendly ingredients deserves to be the ideal choice for puppies. For more smelly dogs, you should consider deodorizing shampoo.
Furry friends with sensitive skin (flaky and dry) need bathing with the soothing oatmeal shampoo for at least 10 minutes before rinsing off.
It would help if you used a natural dog flea shampoo instead of applying harsh chemicals to your dog’s coat for flea control.
Some notes for you when using this product:
- Never use human shampoo on dogs as an alternative due to the difference between these products’ pH and detergent content.
- Don’t let shampoo foam get into your four-legged friend’s eyes.
- Ensure there isn’t any leftover shampoo on your dog after bathing, as it can cause skin problems (like itching and dryness).
How To Wash A Puppy Properly- Detailed Guide
Any mistake can make bathing a nightmare for your dog. If your dog is vehemently protesting and wants to get out of the bath, this is most likely a sign that you have left a bad experience for it.
Stop forcing your four-legged friend to stop and discover our dog’s proper bathing routine below!
Step 1: Brushing Before Bathing
Before bathing, cuddle your dog to make its spirit as comfortable as possible.
According to research by pet experts, brushing makes their coats smoother and more convenient for bathing and has an impressively relaxing effect on their furry friends.
Some small puppies may still be unfamiliar with grooming and appear quite stressed. Therefore, it is best to combine caressing, giving them snacks, and complimenting them.
Step 2: Determining Puppy’s Coat Type
Depending on the type of coat, you will need to prepare different shampoos and conditioners. For example, short coats require more oil, while long coats require moisturizers or humectants.
If you don’t have any enjoyable experience in this area, don’t hesitate to talk to your veterinarian.
Step 3: Washing Your Puppy And Rinse Thoroughly
Place the dog neatly in the sink or the bathtub for larger friends. It is best to prepare a rubber mat under its feet to ensure that there will be no slippage.
After checking the water temperature, please use a gentle spray to wet the dog from behind, combined with petting.
That way, your little friend will not panic when suddenly exposed when washing in warm water.
When your dog is 3 months old, he is ready to bathe with mild shampoo and conditioner.
Of course, contact the pet shops to determine the most appropriate pH-balanced products for your furry friend’s coat type and age.
Start by applying mild dog shampoo to its wet coat and gently massaging it until it foams up.
You can use specialized brush tools to evenly massage shampoo foam on the top of the head, back, abdomen, and 4 legs.
Dogs hate getting foam in their eyes, even shampoos that don’t sting. Therefore, a soft cloth soaked in warm water wipes the dog’s face, nose, and ears.
Step 4: Applying Some Conditioner
After rinsing the shampoo, apply an appropriate amount of conditioner to the dedicated shower comb or the palm of your hand.
Never rub this product on your dog’s coat in a messy way like you would use shampoo. Instead, gently brush along the direction of the dog’s hair growth.
After a few minutes of brushing, the conditioner has absorbed and makes the dog’s coat much softer than before.
Step 5: Washing And Drying
Rinse it off with a gentle stream of warm water from the hose until you’re sure no detergent residue is left. For those with a double coat, it can take you more time for thorough washing.
Then, use a soft cloth to wrap your trembling dog tightly and gently dry its coat.
Once you have removed some of the water from the fur, use a hand blow dryer (low setting) and dry the coat in the growth direction.
When Should You Give A Puppy A Bath?
Small dogs often have difficulty regulating their body temperature, increasing their susceptibility to colds after bathing. Therefore, please do not create any challenges until they are at least 2 months old.
If your little friend is only 8 weeks old and you can’t stand a dirty and smelly puppy until the time allows, you can wipe them with a dry towel and combine body drying.
For owners of a pack of adult dogs, clean them regularly because group play makes their coats susceptible to contamination.
Depending on the dog’s age and the coat’s dirty, you can apply different bathing frequencies. However, we recommend doing this every month to ensure your furry friend stays smelling fresh and clean.
Some Last Words
Living with a cute dog is sure to be a positive experience. But if it’s a stinky little dog from the mud puddles, you will surely not want it tangled under your feet.
So, what can you wash a puppy with, and how to properly bathe this pet? Through this article, we are sure you are ready to complete this task. And now, it’s bath time!
