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Between learning to walk on a leash and exploring the outdoors, puppies can get dirty easily. But how often should you really wash a puppy? And is it necessary to give puppies baths every time they get a little messy?
To help pet parents set a good schedule, we spoke to Julia Benning, Lead Grooming Advisor for Well Groomed Pets, and Dr. Nell Ostermeier, DVM, CVA, FAAVA, and veterinary advisor at Figo Pet Insurance.
Puppy Bathing Schedule
First, it’s important to wait to give a puppy a bath until they reach eight weeks old. “If a puppy is younger than that, just use a warm, wet towel to wipe away the debris,” says Dr. Ostermeier.
Once your puppy is old enough, Benning recommends giving them a bath every three to four weeks.
That’s a little more frequent than the schedule for adult baths. “Puppies have more sensitive skin and changing coats, so keeping their skin and coat clean and healthy is extra important,” Benning explains.
Although puppies with longer hair and different coat types can benefit from special products, like detangling shampoos, they don’t need more frequent baths than dogs with short hair or smoother coats. Even breeds like Shih Tzus, Goldendoodles, and Golden Retrievers can be bathed once a month.
When To Change the Schedule
Whether your puppy has rolled around in the mud or gotten sprayed by a skunk, sometimes messes happen. If a bath alternative like a pet wipe isn’t enough to clean up, you might need to wash your puppy right away.
Likewise, if your puppy has recently undergone a medical procedure or has been spayed or neutered, you may need to skip bath time while they’re healing. In both cases, it’s perfectly fine to deviate from the standard bath schedule, say the experts.
However, as a regular practice, sticking to a monthly schedule is ideal.
“Keeping your puppy on a regular bathing schedule throughout their life will help ensure your pup looks and feels their best,” says Benning.
photographer via iStock
Can I bathe my puppy once per week?
Benning doesn’t recommend pet parents bathe a puppy once per week because it can strip their sebum, a layer of oil that sits on top of a dog’s skin.
“Because the sebum is essential to the function of the skin and coat, if we bathe puppies frequently and remove it all, the skin will go into shock and overproduce sebum to make up for having it all removed. This means anywhere from 24-72 hours after the bath, the dog will be greasier and stinkier than they were before,” she warns.
What if I have to bathe my puppy more often?
If you have to bathe a puppy more frequently than recommended, Benning says to make sure you leave dog-specific conditioner on the puppy’s coat for at least five to ten minutes to allow it time to absorb into the skin and help restore the sebum.
“Pet parents should apply conditioner over the pup’s whole body and really scrub or brush it through with their hands. The conditioner needs time to absorb, so it should soak for a minimum of five minutes but ideally ten,” explains Benning.
Signs You’re Bathing Too Much—Or Not Enough
Washing a puppy too often (or not enough) can create unintended side effects. Here are some signs to watch for that may indicate you need to rethink your bathing schedule.
Too often
“One indication that you’re bathing your puppy too frequently is dry skin. Puppies often have drier skin, and being bathed more than once monthly can dry the skin even more,” says Benning.
If you’re not sure if your puppy has dry skin, look for dandruff or dander in the form of small white flecks that may show up on your clothes or blanket after you snuggle with them.
“You may also notice them rolling around on the carpet or scratching themselves more often,” Benning adds.
Not enough
The biggest indication that you’re not washing your puppy enough might be the most obvious one: an unpleasant, funky odor. However, you may also notice your dog looks visibly dirty or greasy. In long-haired breeds, a puppy’s coat can become matted. Plus, frequent scratching or other skin issues may develop.
romaset via iStock
Alternatives To Bathing
Using pet-safe cleaning wipes, waterless shampoo, or brushing sprays can be a convenient way to keep a puppy clean in between baths. However, to avoid causing skin irritation, pet parents should be careful not to over-use these alternatives.
Pet wipes designed for puppies can be used to spot-clean areas like a puppy’s face, ears, paws, belly, and sanitary areas. They’re typically safe for daily use. Dry shampoo, on the other hand, should be limited to once per week to avoid residue buildup in your puppy’s coat.
“Brushing sprays can be great as long as your pup is getting a bath regularly to make sure the skin and coat get refreshed frequently,” says Benning.
Dr. Ostermeier stresses that pet parents should only use dog-specific products and make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
Whether you’re washing your puppy or refreshing them with a bath alternative, keeping them clean is an important part of maintaining their overall hygiene. Plus, it gives you another opportunity to bond with your puppy!
