{"id":12107,"date":"2022-11-19T10:12:34","date_gmt":"2022-11-19T10:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=12107"},"modified":"2023-02-10T16:14:54","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T16:14:54","slug":"when-can-puppies-have-their-first-bath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/when-can-puppies-have-their-first-bath\/","title":{"rendered":"When Can Puppies Have Their First Bath: A 7-Step Process"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><i>\u201cBath time!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While some doggies may wag their tail eagerly upon hearing those words, others may be far from excited about getting wet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So if you are a new puppy owner wondering when can puppies have their first bath, our guide takes you through the topic step by step.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Time to roll up our sleeves!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='when-can-puppies-have-their-first-bath'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Can Puppies Have Their First Bath?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you are keen to start bathing your puppy, especially if it makes or gets into all kinds of messes, you should still wait for a number of weeks before doing so.<\/p>\n<p>Why? Because your puppy&#8217;s natural <strong>immune system takes about eight weeks to fully develop<\/strong> to fight off bacteria and viruses that could make them sick.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, groomers advise dog owners to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/health\/bathing-your-puppy-step-by-step-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">start bathing their puppies <strong>as young as two months old<\/strong><\/a> but\u00a0take it slowly and reward them as they develop this lifetime routine.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the meantime, you can still keep your puppy smelling fresh by\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">using a <strong>damp, warm cloth<\/strong> or <strong>pet-safe wet wipes<\/strong> to eliminate bad odors since grooming is one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/dog-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">essentials of dog care<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Also, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">keep an eye on their potty habits to prevent any accidents in the house.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='puppies%e2%80%99-first-bath-how-to-bathe-a-puppy'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Puppies<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> First Bath<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Bathe a Puppy?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We recommend that you have someone help you out with this, especially if it&#8217;s your first time, as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bathing a puppy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be quite a handful! But don&#8217;t worry, we&#8217;ll walk you through it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First things first: <strong>get everything you need within reach<\/strong> so you&#8217;re not running around while your poor pup is shivering in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bathtub<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or sink. All in all, you&#8217;ll require:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A brush or a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comb<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A makeshift tub, such as the sink,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coat-specific conditioner and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shampoo<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A cup or pitcher for pouring water,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A clean towel and a hairdryer,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An extra set of hands (optional but helpful!).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, get some tasty treats as a reward for a job well done and follow these steps:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='step-1-brush-the-pup'>Step 1: Brush the pup<\/h3>\n<p>To get your pupper ready for its bath, you should first <strong>brush off any excess dirt<\/strong> it may have collected and <strong>untangle any knots or mats<\/strong> in its fur at the same time.<\/p>\n<h3 id='step-2-put-your-pup-in-lukewarm-water'>Step 2: Put your pup in lukewarm water<\/h3>\n<p>Fill up the sink or tub with <strong>water that is not too hot or too cold<\/strong> so you don&#8217;t startle your puppy and make it feel comfortable. Next, gently guide your pup inside the sink or the tub while wetting it with the pitcher.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid getting water in the puppy&#8217;s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ears and nose to avoid infections, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if you accidentally do, you can use an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ear cleaner<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to dry out these sensitive spots.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='step-3-shampoo'>Step 3: Shampoo<\/h3>\n<p>Time to add the shampoo! First, <strong>build the lather on your hands<\/strong> before applying it to the pup&#8217;s coat. Then, <strong>gently massage it in<\/strong> and work through its fur until it&#8217;s evenly distributed.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> The shampoo bottle will instruct you how long to let it sit before rinsing, and as for which product to get, check out our detailed reviews of several quality shampoos.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='step-4-rinse'>Step 4: Rinse<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To rinse, pour lukewarm water over your pup <strong>until the suds are gone<\/strong> and its coat is clean. You may need to repeat this process a few times to ensure all the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shampoo<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='step-5-apply-conditioner'>Step 5: Apply conditioner<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once rinsed off, it&#8217;s time to <strong>apply a <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>coat conditioner<\/strong> since your bundle of joy deserves to have a shiny coat and look its best. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The procedure is the same as when applying shampoo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rover.com\/blog\/dog-conditioners-to-keep-your-pets-coat-shiny\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rover&#8217;s experts recommend <strong>getting a conditioner that meets your pup&#8217;s needs<\/strong><\/a>, and the products they suggest are developed for all kinds of pups, from short-haired sensitive breeds to long-haired dogs that shed excessively.<\/p>\n<h3 id='step-6-rinse-the-conditioner-off'>Step 6: Rinse the conditioner off<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Again, use your cup or pitcher to pour lukewarm water over your pup <strong>until the conditioner is gone<\/strong> and their coat is soft and clean. You may need to do this a few times as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='step-7-use-a-towel-and-blow-dry-to-finish-off'>Step 7: Use a towel and blow dry to finish off<\/h3>\n<p>Now that your pup is all clean, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">it&#8217;s time to get it out of the sink and dry it off. First, <strong>gently pat it down with a towel<\/strong>, removing as much moisture as possible, before using a <strong>hairdryer on a low setting<\/strong> to finish the job. Work on those curls, too, if your puppy is long-haired.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Note:\u00a0<\/strong>Don&#8217;t hold the hairdryer too close to the dog&#8217;s skin or fur.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='how-often-should-you-bathe-your-puppy'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Often Should You Bathe Your Puppy?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In general, you should bathe your pupper <strong>once a month<\/strong> since its fur can get clogged up with dirt and oil, thus forming knots and mats, which are detrimental to its health.<\/p>\n<p>Naturally, depending on your pup&#8217;s coat type, lifestyle, and any health conditions, the regularity will increase or decrease correspondingly.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, <strong>dogs with <\/strong><\/span><strong>curly and\/or long coats <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>may need to be bathed more often<\/strong> to prevent matting and tangles. Also, if you let your puppy roam free in the yard, it will build up dirt and grime much faster, thus needing more frequent wash-ups.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Note: <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you notice your pup has <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">irritated skin<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, take it to the vet or contact an online veterinary service that can help you over the internet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='frequently-asked-questions'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>At what age can you bathe puppies<\/b><b>?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Puppies can be safely bathed when they reach at least two months of age, with some groomers recommending 10 to 12 weeks, depending on the puppy&#8217;s breed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Can you give a 2-week-old puppy a bath?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Two-week-old puppies are still too young to be away from their mother and siblings as they don&#8217;t have fully developed immune systems yet. Therefore, bathing them could expose them to harmful bacteria or other parasites that they would otherwise repel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How many times should a puppy take a bath?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most puppies only need a bath once a month since washing them too often can strip away their natural oils and leave their skin dry and irritated. To clean the occasional dirt between baths, simply use a wet cloth to wipe down the pup&#8217;s coat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='key-takeaways'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when can puppies have their first bath<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? Ideally, when they reach eight weeks old. While most puppy parents are apprehensive about the experience, they have nothing to worry about since they will most likely have fun while developing a healthy, lifelong habit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>References<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/health\/bathing-your-puppy-step-by-step-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The American Kennel Club (AKC)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>2. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rover.com\/blog\/dog-conditioners-to-keep-your-pets-coat-shiny\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rover<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cBath time!\u201d While some doggies may wag their tail eagerly upon hearing those words, others may be far from excited about getting wet. So if you are a new puppy owner wondering when can puppies have their first bath, our guide takes you through the topic step by step. Time to roll up our sleeves! [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/when-can-puppies-have-their-first-bath\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from When Can Puppies Have Their First Bath: A 7-Step Process<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":12108,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-guides"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12107","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12107"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12107\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12107"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12107"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}