GROOMING
How to Keep Your Puppy Clean: For Ages 0-4 Months
Keeping our puppies clean is essential for the upkeep of their good health. Dr Pai discusses good grooming habits for puppies between 0-4 months of age.
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How to Keep Your Puppy Clean: For Ages 0-4 Months
Keeping our puppies clean is essential for the upkeep of their good health. Dr Pai discusses good grooming habits for puppies between 0-4 months of age.
It is important to understand that we bathe our dogs for our comfort and hygiene as they spend a lot of time close to us, on our beds and sofas, as well as to prevent any skin infections for our dogs. Regular grooming and bathing are bound to be a routine part of your puppy’s life, regardless of their breed or the type of their coat. And even though some breeds may absolutely love being handled and bathed in water, others may not appreciate being handled so closely.
Regardless, it is imperative that you introduce good grooming habits from a very young age to ensure that your puppy is comfortable, and may even enjoy the process. Here is how you can keep your young puppy clean.
It is important to understand that we bathe our dogs for our comfort and hygiene as they spend a lot of time close to us, on our beds and sofas, as well as to prevent any skin infections for our dogs. Regular grooming and bathing are bound to be a routine part of your puppy’s life, regardless of their breed or the type of their coat. And even though some breeds may absolutely love being handled and bathed in water, others may not appreciate being handled so closely.
Regardless, it is imperative that you introduce good grooming habits from a very young age to ensure that your puppy is comfortable, and may even enjoy the process. Here is how you can keep your young puppy clean.
Puppies Between 0-2 Months of Age
As soon as a puppy is born, the mother dog licks them dry. This licking ensures that the afterbirth is cleaned up, and they can breathe well, while almost stimulating them to start suckling. Till they are about 45 days old, the mother will continue to groom and clean them, while also teaching them good toileting habits. It is thus ideal to allow your puppy to spend the first eight weeks of their lives with their mother and allow her to take responsibility for keeping them clean.
However, in case you have an orphan or rescue puppy, you may need to take over this responsibility. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
If the puppy is very dirty or covered in ticks, it's best to ask for help from a veterinarian.
However, in case you have an orphan or rescue puppy, you may need to take over this responsibility. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Do not attempt to bathe them at home. Puppies younger than two months are extremely sensitive to temperature changes and can get cold very easily.
- They may need help pooping and peeing after meals. You should very gently clean their privates with a cloth/cotton dipped in lukewarm water – this will help them poop and pee, after which you can throw away the cloth/cotton.
- If your puppy does get a little dirty, gently clean only that particular area with a cloth/cotton dipped in lukewarm water.
- Never use any soap, shampoo, chemicals, or antiseptics. Only water is sufficient.
- Always make sure they are completely dry and kept warm after cleaning.
If the puppy is very dirty or covered in ticks, it's best to ask for help from a veterinarian.
Puppies Between 2-4 Months of Age
This is the age at which puppies are weaned (separated from the mother) and typically come to their new homes. Although you may be tempted to give them a nice bath, please refrain from doing so. They are too young for a full bath and may fall sick if it is not done properly.
The good news is that at this stage, they probably don’t need to be bathed. Your puppy’s vaccination is likely to be completed only by four months, and they should not leave your home until the vaccinations are complete.
Hence, your puppy is unlikely to get dirty enough to warrant a proper bath. In case, they do get a little dirty or step in pee or poop or are an absolute mess, here is how you can clean them.
In case your puppy has a skin issue or tick or flea infestation, they will require a bath with medicated shampoo. This is best done at your vet’s. You can request the vet to let you watch or help, so you can better handle future baths if needed.
Happy puppy parenting!
The good news is that at this stage, they probably don’t need to be bathed. Your puppy’s vaccination is likely to be completed only by four months, and they should not leave your home until the vaccinations are complete.
Hence, your puppy is unlikely to get dirty enough to warrant a proper bath. In case, they do get a little dirty or step in pee or poop or are an absolute mess, here is how you can clean them.
- Take it slow and try to do this when you and your puppy are a little calm to ensure that they make positive associations with grooming.
- Brushing your puppy with an appropriate brush is an excellent way to clean any dirt and debris from the coat.
- You can gently wipe them down with a cloth wet with warm water. If you need to get your puppy wet, ensure that you use warm water and bathe only the body parts that need to be cleaned. Avoid getting the puppy wet completely.
- Avoid using Dettol or any other antiseptic, human soap or chemicals while cleaning your puppy. Try to use only water, and if necessary, use a vet-recommended mild puppy shampoo.
- Ensure that your puppy is dried thoroughly, post-bathing. The best way to do this is by using a thin, cotton towel.
In case your puppy has a skin issue or tick or flea infestation, they will require a bath with medicated shampoo. This is best done at your vet’s. You can request the vet to let you watch or help, so you can better handle future baths if needed.
Happy puppy parenting!
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