Puppies bring an incredible amount of joy to our lives. They require regular maintenance to maintain overall hygiene.
Does your puppy run and hide at the sound of the bath water? Wondering how to get your puppy to love to bath?
Let's face it! Bath time can be a problem for many puppies and dog parents. In this blog, we will help you to find the best way to get your puppy to love baths.
How often should you bathe a puppy?
You don't need to wash your puppy very frequently. A daily or weekly bath is not essential for your puppy. A good rule of thumb is that you shouldn't bathe your puppy twice a month or when it gets dirty.
Your puppy's body isn’t yet ready to self-regulate its body temperature. Frequent baths will strip the natural oils from their coat. It also can dry out their skin, causing inflammation and itching.
Tips to get your puppies to love bath
Let's have a look at some useful tips on getting your furry friends to love bath:
- Begin young
Some puppy owners make the mistake of assuming that their puppy is adjusting well to bath time when he just stands there rigidly during the process. But if your puppy doesn’t seem relaxed, then you may have problems down the road. Help your puppy learn to enjoy the process. Make sure to let your puppy explore the bathtub when it’s dry and therefore less intimidating.
- Choose the right shampoo:
If you own a furbaby, you need a shampoo that is specifically designed for puppies. The best puppy shampoos are typically milder and gentler. Puppy's skin and coat are sensitive and prone to a range of skin conditions.
Choose a puppy shampoo that is pH balanced and is more alkaline. Always look for the best puppy shampoo with natural ingredients. Avoid shampoos with artificial fragrances to protect your puppy's delicate skin and fur.
- Organize your bath accessories
Organize your bath accessories in one spot. This will make your bath time easy and convenient. It also prevents bath accessories from being misplaced.
- Cushion that slippery tub floor
If your puppy hates the bath, it might be because of the sensory experience. For most puppies, one of the worst things about bathing is feeling unsteady on the slippery, wet floor.
Before starting your bath, put a mat or even a towel down on the floor of the bathtub to prevent your puppy from falling. Your puppy will feel much more secure.
- Make the water comfortable
What seems like a great temperature to you might not be what your puppy prefers. Very warm or cold water can actually be a shock to your puppy, so keep it lukewarm to ensure that temperature isn’t part of the problem.
- Start small
Let your puppy get comfortable with the sound of running water. Then add a little water to the tub. Get just his feet wet, then his legs. Make the process gradual, allowing your puppy to get used to each step, instead of trying to rush the process by dumping a bucket of water on your puppy or spraying him down. It’s okay if you don’t complete the bath that first time. The goal is just to get your puppy comfortable.
- Be gentle and careful
Be as gentle as possible during grooming to avoid hurting your puppy. Try to be very careful in sensitive areas such as paws and the face. Don't rush and find a time when you can relax and focus on your puppy.
- Familiarize your puppy with the bath
Before you begin with the first bath, let your puppy sniff the bath accessories. This will allow your puppy to familiarize themselves with the accessories. Your puppy may be less likely to react negatively when you start bath.
- Bring a positive attitude
Positive reinforcement can work wonders on a shy, fearful, or energetic puppy. Getting your pupph to love bath time will improve if he knows after each bath he’s getting a very special treat. Puppies just love all the extra attention and one-on-one. Make bath time a positive experience filled with praise, treats, and rewards. With compassion and love, your puppy will eventually get accustomed to the bathing process and feel more relaxed.
- Make it fun
One way to change both of your attitudes is to think about bath time as playtime. This can be particularly effective for puppies who really enjoy toys. Bring a squeaky toy into the tub for your puppy to play with while you are bathing him. Keep this toy for bath times only.
- Don’t bathe your puppy too often
Be mindful not to bathe your puppy too often. Bathing your puppy too often can remove its natural oils, which are essential for a healthy coat and skin. Excessive bathing can result in a dry, dull coat, itchy skin, and irritation. Unless your vet recommends frequent bathing, give your puppy a single bath each month.
- Hire a professional groomer
If giving your puppy a bath is causing anxiety for you both, you might want to enlist the help of an experienced dog groomer. A professional dog groomer should be able to help you and your pooch out. Make an appointment with a professional groomer every 3 to 4 months.
Bath Time considerations
Puppies are individuals with varied needs of bathing. It's a good idea to get your puppy used to baths from an early age.
How often you should bathe a puppy depends on various aspects including coat type, activity level, weather, health, and allergies.
- Coat type: Long-coated puppy breeds usually require more maintenance. They need more baths and grooming as compared to short-coated puppies.
- Activity level: If your little 4-pawed friend rolls around in the mud, runs into muddy water, or dig holes in the backyard, you need to give them frequent baths.
- Health and allergies: If your puppy has some health concerns, you should take expert advice to establish an appropriate care plan. Consult your vet or groomer for more guidance on your puppy's bathing frequency.
- Weather: Your little bundle of energy can't self regulate their body temperature. Avoid bathing your puppy too often during cold spells. During the winter months, you can even use dry shampoo as well.
How do you wash a puppy at home?
Follow these steps for a successful bath of your fur baby:
- Start early: Get your puppy used to bathing as early as possible.
- Thorough brushing before the bath: Thoroughly brush your puppy before giving him a bath. Otherwise, the moisture will cement mats into solid masses that are hard to remove.
- Gather the supplies: Prepare ahead and assemble all the supplies before giving him the bath. These bath supplies include the best puppy shampoo, cotton balls, a puppy conditioner, and a towel.
- Only use shampoos formulated for puppies: Avoid human shampoos or adult dog shampoos. The best puppy shampoos will protect their tender skin and prevent allergic reactions.
- Bathing area: For medium and large puppies, you can use a bathtub. During summers you can give them baths with a garden hose in the backyard. For small puppies, you can give a bath in a waist-high sink or by using a series of buckets.
- Apply puppy shampoo: Wet your puppy's fur thoroughly. Apply a thin stream of puppy shampoo along the back. You can lather the shampoo in your own hands and then apply it to your puppy.
- Rinse well: Rinse your pup thoroughly. Leaving shampoo in the coat may cause an allergic reaction. Allow your puppy to shake off the water.
- Drying your puppy: Smooth-coated puppies can air-dry very quickly. Puppies with dense fur require lots of towels. You can also use a dryer for long-haired puppies.
- Make it fun: Bathing should be a pleasant experience for your puppy. Praise your puppy during bath and offer treats after they have finished with the process.
Final thoughts
Regular baths are important for puppies but remember that you don’t need to overdo it. There are always exceptions to how often you should bathe a puppy.
Always use a shampoo specifically made for puppies to avoid itching and harsh chemicals. Regular brushing is essential between baths to keep your puppy's hair from getting tangled or matted.
Bath time for your little fur buddy is either the best or the worst experience ever! Try to make puppy bath time as fun and enjoyable as possible.
We hope you have enjoyed the article on best puppy shampoos. If you have any questions about the best puppy shampoo, feel free to contact us.
Happy petting!
