Sploosh splashhhh!!
Come here, my furry fellow; it’s time for a bath;
But how often should you bathe a puppy?
A good rule of thumb is that you should bathe your dog once every four weeks. How often you need to bathe your puppy depends on how often they go outside and on the type of coat they have. If he gets dirty, you can bathe him more often. And if your puppy has dry skin, you may wait longer between baths.
Bathing your dog is not a complex phenomenon, but as a new dog parent, the mixed information coming your way through internet sources and fellow dog parents may leave you confused forevermore.
Being in the business for years and as an experienced dog owner, I decided to further inquire about this question and pen down the valuable gist of whatever information I could get my hands on after extensive research.
So scroll down right away to end this perplexity regarding how often you should bathe your puppy.
How Often Should I Bathe My Puppy?
There is no thumb rule for the frequency of bathing your dog, but in general, most dogs are recommended to be bathed once every four weeks. Rubbing the body of short-coated dogs with a wet washcloth once a week to remove body odor, and bathing once every five to six weeks is enough.
On the other hand, long-haired dogs require extensive grooming and bathing once every three to four weeks to remove the dirt and debris that can be trapped under their thick coat. Experts vastly suggest it.
To be honest, I do not need to bathe my Belgian Malinois as often as I bathe my Border Collie.
When You Should Start Bathing Your New Puppy
While bathing has several benefits, it has to be done in the right manner.
If under-washing can make your dog look unhealthy and stinky, over-washing him may make his skin super dry and itchy. Dogs, like humans, also have natural oils evenly diffused on their skin, and over-washing can remove natural oils from their coats.
Start bathing your new puppies after they are at least 8 to 9 weeks old because puppies are not able to regulate their body temperature like adult dogs and may catch a cold. A warm bathing room and warm water is essential for puppies for their first bath.
If your puppy is younger than eight weeks old and smells bad, just take a washcloth, dip it in warm water and gently rub your puppy with it to remove dirt and bad odor.
How Often You Bathe a Dog Depends on These Factors
Always consider these factors before deciding how often you should bathe a puppy.
#1 Lifestyle & Activity Level
If your dog stays most of the time indoors and seldom goes for walks and outdoor activities, stick to the regular bathing schedule. But if you have a puppy who loves outdoor activities, and you find him loathed in muddy puddles, you may need frequent bathing arrangements.
#2 Type of Coat & Skin
Dogs with small hair or hairless coats may not require bathing as often as their counterparts with long hair and thick coats. Ask your vet to guide you regarding your dog’s skin type and make a bathing schedule accordingly.
#3 Health & Skin Condition
A dog with fleas or ticks inside his coat cannot have the same bathing schedule as a dog with a perfectly healthy and bugs-free coat. The former obviously has to be washed more often with a medicated anti-flea shampoo or soap.
#4 Seasonality
In summers, frequent baths are required to beat the scorching heat and in spring to remove dead hair off your dog’s coat; however, a gentle rubdown in winters would be enough, and bathing may not be required as frequently.
Finding The Right Bathing Products
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of finding the right products according to the skin type and environment your dog lives in. Various dog shampoos and other accessories are available to choose from.
Search for the right products and give your dog a professional grooming-like experience at home. For example, using harsh shampoo and soaps can dry out your dog’s skin; therefore, look for organic shampoos and mild soaps to protect your dog’s skin against any kind of damage.
How to Bathe Your Puppy in a Few Easy Steps
1. Buy Shampoo & Other Supplies
Arrange a bathtub, shampoo, and bathing comb before bathing your dog. A good shampoo will not only leave your dog’s skin sparkly clean, but will also make him smell great.
My personal favorite in this regard is Burt’s Bees for Dogs 2 in 1 Dog Shampoo & Conditioner. It has buttermilk and linseed oil, which conditions my dog’s skin and hair deeply and keeps it moisturized.
2. Don’t Forget to Brush
Always brush your dog with a metal comb gently to remove any kind of dirt, debris, fleas, or ticks that are trapped under your dog’s thick coat. In addition, you can buy pet grooming gloves to remove dead hair and dirt effectively off your dog’s coat.
3. Use Lukewarm Water
Maintaining a certain temperature is necessary, especially for puppies, as their bodies are not accustomed to regulate their body temperature, unlike adult dogs who can survive different temperatures.
Lukewarm water is ideal for bathing your dog because it can cleanse the dog’s skin properly, unclogging their pores and removing the excess dirt.
FAQs About Bathing a Puppy
Why Should I Bathe My Dog?
Dirt, allergens, bacteria, fleas, and ticks can be trapped in a dog’s hair easily, and bathing your dog often is an excellent way to keep such things at bay. In addition, the more you bathe your puppy, the less chances of fleas and tick development inside his coat.
When Is The Right Time to Go to The Groomers?
Somewhere between 12 and 14 weeks old. This is a good age to introduce your puppy to the grooming world, and you as an owner may also learn professional ways to groom your dog, such as efficient bathing, right products, nail clipping, etc.
Can I Bathe My Puppy at 8 Weeks Old?
Of course, you can. It is safe to bathe a puppy at 8 weeks old, but you may just wipe down his body gently with a washcloth soaked in lukewarm water if you don’t feel like it. You can add baking soda or dog shampoo to water to ensure cleanliness.
What Should You Use to Wash a Puppy With?
Several excellent dog shampoos are available in the market. You can choose one according to your preference and your dog’s skin type. Medicated shampoo and lotion are required in case your puppy has fleas or ticks.
Where to Bathe a Puppy?
While portable dog tubs are a professional option, you can also use your regular bathtub or sink to bathe your puppy, depending upon the size of your puppy.
How Much Bathing Is Too Much for Dogs?
Bathing your dog every four weeks is a must. You can increase or decrease the frequency depending upon your dog’s skin condition, activity level, and overall health. Bathing your puppy also enhances rapport between the dog and its owner, so go for it whenever possible.
How Often Should You Bathe a Puppy Who Has Fleas?
While regular dogs can go up to five weeks without bathing, a dog with fleas should be bathed at least once every two weeks. Also, do not forget to use anti-flea spray and medicated scalp care shampoo for fleas prevention and cure.
How Often Should You Bathe a Dog With Itchy Skin?
Bathing helps remove bacteria and yeast that cause infections and itchy skin in dogs; however, frequent bathing and the use of harsh chemicals can also irritate the skin further. Ask your vet to recommend a bathing schedule and gentle products to relieve your dog from itchiness.
How Many Days Can Dogs Spend Without a Bath?
Up to a month. Dogs, especially those who stay inside more, do not require frequent bathing, and they can live up to five weeks without taking a bath. Recurrent washing can also rob off natural body oil and contributes to dry skin.
Conclusion
Some dogs go crazy over water, while others hate washing. Bathing and its frequency totally depend upon your dog’s mood, skin type, and daily routine, so it varies big time.
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to bathing your dog, and you can adjust the frequency after taking into consideration the factors we have earlier discussed.
I am eternally grateful that you find my words helpful and hope to see you
more and more often on my blog
Happy Grooming!!
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