How to Clean a 2 Week Old Puppy
Easy
5 - 10 Minutes
4 Weeks
Need regular grooming services?
Introduction
Most puppies do not require a bath until they are at least four weeks old, if not older. However, if your two-week-old puppy has already created mischief and gotten himself extremely dirty in some areas, you can spot clean him. When you do this you will need to make sure he stays constantly warm. Do not submerge him in any water. Spot cleaning your 2-week-old puppy can be done with a warm wet washcloth or with even a dry towel or soft cloth. If your puppy's mother is around and available, she will always provide the best bath your 2-week-old puppy can get.
Dog's Perspective
Your two-week-old puppy is still discovering his world. He is very fragile, and his skin is extremely sensitive. If you don't need to bathe him at this point, don't. If you do, understand that he needs to stay warm in order to survive. So make this spot bath very quick and get back to warmth as soon as possible.
The Wash Cloth Method
Effective
0 Votes
Towel
Step
1
Damp washcloth
Dampen a soft washcloth with warm water. Squeeze out any excess water so the cloth is damp, not wet.
Step
2
Spot clean
Wipe your two-week-old puppy in small circles only in the areas he is dirty. Use a soft and gentle touch. His skin is sensitive, and his fur is not thick enough yet to protect his skin.
Step
3
Wipe dry
Use a soft dry cloth to dry the area. Be sure not to return your puppy to his bedding or to his mother still wet. His body does not regulate temperature well at this age, so he needs to be dry.
Step
4
Blanket
Wrap your two-week-old puppy in a soft towel or blanket to warm up as you are returning him to his bedding or to his mother. It is imperative your young pup stays warm during his first several weeks of life.
Step
5
Bedding or Mama
Take your two-week-old puppy back to his litter, his bedding or his mama pup. She will keep him warm and do any additional cleaning necessary. If she is not around and you are caring for your two-week-old puppy without her, keep him wrapped in a soft, warm blanket and near your body warmth as much as you can.
The Full Cleaning Method
Effective
0 Votes
Towel
Step
1
Warm area
If you need to clean your two-week-old puppy from head to toe, you’ll need a warm place to do it. Take your two-week-old puppy into a room where he is as warm as possible. You can heat a bathroom up by running hot water with the door closed to steam up and warm the room. Take your puppy in and close the door.
Step
2
Cloth and water
Use the corner of a soft cloth and dip it into warm water. Do not use hot water and do not get the entire cloth wet
Step
3
Clean
Clean your two-week-old puppy by wiping his head, neck, all skin folds, back and belly with the corner of your warm wet cloth.
Step
4
Potty area
Some puppies get messy because they use their bedding for their potty in these first few weeks. Clean his potty area last after you have cleaned all other areas. Gently wipe the area with soft circular motions. Use a soft touch.
Step
5
Dry
Use a different soft towel to gently rub your two-week-old puppy dry. Again, as you are rubbing his skin, be gentle. He is tender and sensitive.
Step
6
Wrap for warmth
Wrap your two-week-old puppy in a warm blanket to stay warm. Do not keep him wrapped in a damp towel or wrap him while wet and wait for him to dry. At such a young age, your puppy needs to be dry and wrapped while dry to keep his body temperature warm. Wrapping him while wet will keep him colder than he should be.
Caution & Considerations
- Do not submerge your two-week-old
puppy in a bath. He does not need a full bath as he will in the months to come.
- Puppies need to stay warm at all times. Do not keep him wet
for too long and be sure to dry him right away to stay warm.
- Your
puppy’s mother is the best option for cleaning him at his young age. If she is
not around, you can clean him, but consider what is best for him in making this
decision.
- Puppies can get filthy
with feces, urine, and milk while still nursing. Don’t hesitate to wipe these areas
clean to maintain the littler’s overall health. Just be cautious and do not dip
the puppies in water.
- Hypothermia is a serious
danger for all puppies this young.
- If you feel you must clean your two-week-old puppy, consider only spot cleaning areas that are
dirty and not the entire puppy.
- In just a matter of weeks, your puppy will be ready for a
full bath.
- At two weeks old, your puppy is just starting to open his eyes. He should never be too far from his mother as long as she is around to care for him.
Conclusion
Your two-week-old puppy is discovering his world, but his world shouldn't be much bigger than the nest his mother has created for him. You can spot clean your young pup, but this is not the time to pamper him too much. Be sure to keep him warm. If his mother is not around, consider kangaroo care using your body heat to warm him after that spot cleaning.
