How to Clean an 8 Week Old Puppy
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Introduction
Your 8-week old puppy is so much stronger than he's ever been. It is possible at eight weeks he is a new addition to your home in the family and is no longer with his mother and littermates. Or you may have a puppy with the mother and his mates. Either way, your 8-week-old puppy is really starting to grow and change at this point. He is learning, playing, and exploring. This could mean he's also getting quite dirty. It is safe to give your 8-week old puppy a bath. If he's not extremely dirty and just needs a gentle wipe down, you can still use a warm washcloth with a very little bit of puppy shampoo or even baking soda and water to help with any puppy odor.
Dog's Perspective
Even though your 8-week-old puppy is stronger, once you bathe him you will still need to dry him thoroughly before letting him lose to play or letting him outside. He may be cold after his bath so be sure to keep him bundled and warm while drying him. If bath time is new to your puppy, he may be a bit hesitant about getting in the water, being submerged and wet, or even the sound of running water. Start training now while bathing or cleaning pup and reward him for his good behavior with a nice tasty treat once he's clean.
The Calm Bath Method
The Warm Bath Method
Caution & Considerations
- If you choose to use a puppy shampoo, choose one that is not only good for his skin but also a tearless shampoo.
- If you're giving your 8-week old puppy a bath or he will be wet after a warm washcloth wipe down, be sure to brush him out thoroughly once you are done cleaning him.
- If your young puppy is taking a full bath, be sure to add a towel or a non-slip mat to the bathtub or sink to avoid slipping injuries.
- At this age, avoid using a flea and tick shampoo without the direction of your veterinarian.
- Do not use human shampoos on your puppy. The pH levels on his skin are much different than humans and human shampoo or other soaps, such as dish soap, can dry his skin and cause itching and redness.
- If you use a washcloth on your puppy, be sure to start with his face first. You can wipe his face down and avoid using any shampoo near his eyes.
- Wiping your puppy's face down first before wiping his potty areas will ensure bacteria from potty areas does not get into his eyes, nose, or his mouth.
Conclusion
Your 8-week old puppy is a cute, cuddly ball of energy. He’s going to get pawsitively dirty at times. It’s a safe time to give your puppy a bath, just be sure to keep your pampered pooch dry and warm once you are done. Use simple ingredients to get him clean and get back to cuddling or playing together quickly.
Success Stories and Grooming Questions
Grooming Questions & Answers
I got my daughter a puppy about 2 weeks ago. She was the runt of the litter and the mother rejected her. We found her outside the kennel on a very cold morning halfway breathing. We have been feeding her replacement milk formula for puppies, and giving her a bath every 2 or 3 days. She has the house smelling very loud and she seems to pee a lot. Can you please inform me on what may be the problem?
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Hello, this is a question best posed to a veterinarian, especially since little Sadie is so young. It's best for her to be checked to make sure that her health is as it should be. You can pose a question to a vet here: https://wagwalking.com/wag-health, but please call your veterinarian as soon as possible. The fact that the urine smells may mean a medical issue. All the best to little Sadie!
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He bring me joy
I know other people will search for this and find this, sooo
I feel as if the response to Sadie’s question might’ve been misunderstood and not given a solid on the spot answer.
Sadie, a puppy shares similarities with a baby…
In that they’ll just pee and poop all the time.
They will get pretty gross, and frankly, if you let a <8mo puppy do that inside of your 4 walls, itll smell loud and stanky.
My assumption would be that it is because they are both physically and mentally learning how to control their new bodies…
But, also they need to eat a lot of nutrients to do that growing…so that means taking dookies all over the place.
I suggest you find and/or make a safe, weather proof, thermally insulated place for them under a covered, preferably screened in, pest free area in a porch or similar.
My question would be this:
“How dirty is too dirty for a 0-8 month old puppy?”
Where the vets at tho