Many puppies need a bathe and grooming upon arriving at their forever home. Sometimes, pet parents worry that bathing could dry out their young pup's hair coat or cause irritation to the dog's skin. There is no need to worry, as there are numerous shampoos on the market designed to be gentle on a puppy's skin and hair coat.
Should You Give Your Puppy a Bath?
In the past, the generally accepted advice was that frequent bathing of your pet would damage her coat, but this advice is false. It is best to bathe a pup right away if she gets dirty. It was not until recently that the make-up and function of dogs' hair coats has been understood. Biochemically, the skin and hair of the normal puppy are very similar to that of a human. Both human and puppy skin and hair are comprised of protein with oil as a lubricant. Modern shampoos designed for dogs of all ages and coat types allow the pet parent to bathe their pet as often as needed. The average puppy probably needs a bath at least weekly. This helps control odor by removing excessive dander, oil, and bacteria. Special mild shampoos are specifically formulated to meet the needs of puppies. Hypoallergenic shampoos are also available for puppies and adult dogs who have sensitive skin. With the proper shampoo, the normal puppy can be bathed as often as necessary.
Most puppies enjoy the bathing process. Begin by brushing or combing the coat to remove dead hair, dirt, mats, and burrs. Next, place a small drop of sterile eye ointment in each eye to provide a protective film. Wet the hair coat thoroughly all the way to the skin. Use warm but not hot water. Once wet, apply shampoo and lather just as you would your own hair. Let the shampooed pet sit (under supervision) for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Rinsing is the most important step, as retained shampoo will cause the hair coat to appear too dry and may also irritate the skin. At normal room temperature, it is fine to simply let the puppy air dry once the excess water has been removed with a towel. If a hair dryer is used, be sure to set it on a cool (not warm or hot) setting. Dry shampoos are available for use on a puppy that does not like water. Dry shampoos are applied without water and brushed through the hair coat. They help, but are not nearly as effective as a wet bath.
Brushing Your Puppy
Brushing the hair coat of young pups will feel just as good to them as it does to older dogs. It has similar effects on puppies in that it cleans the coat, removes loose hair, and stimulates the oil glands of the skin. Some of the most popular brushes for young dogs are the "pin and bristle" brushes. They have metal pins on one side and soft bristles on the other. They can therefore be used on any kind of dog. At this age, the puppy will perceive gentle brushing as just another form of petting. Get them used to it now so they will let you do the same when they are adults.
Trimming Your Puppy's Nails
Puppies should have their nails trimmed routinely just like adult dogs. Puppy nails have tiny sharp points on them and these can easily scratch you, others, or your furniture. After their initial nail trim, puppies are usually active enough to keep the nails worn down for four to six weeks. After that, check the nails and trim them just as you would the nails on older dogs.
Article by: Race Foster, DVM and Angela Walter, DVM