How to Clean an 8 Week Old Puppy
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Introduction
Your 8-week-old puppy is so much stronger than they've ever been. It is possible that at 8 weeks of age, your pup is a new addition to your family and is no longer with their mother and littermates. Alternatively, your puppy may still be with their mother and siblings.
Either way, your 8-week-old puppy is really starting to grow and change at this point. Your pup is learning, playing, and exploring. This could also mean your fur-baby is getting quite dirty.
The good news is that it is safe to give your 8-week-old puppy a bath. If your pupper is 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 than in the earliest weeks of life, once you bathe them you will still need to dry them thoroughly before letting them loose to play or go outside. Your pup may be cold after their bath, so be sure to keep them bundled and warm while you are drying them.
If bath time is new to your puppy, they 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 your pup and reward them for their good behavior with a nice, tasty treat once they're clean.
Does your pup hate baths? Let someone else take on the stressful chore of cleaning them and book a Grooming service with a Pet Caregiver near you on the Wag! app today.
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 your pup's skin but also a tearless shampoo.
- If you're giving your 8-week-old puppy a bath or they will be wet after a warm washcloth wipe down, be sure to brush them out thoroughly once you are done cleaning them.
- 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 your pup's skin are different to humans and human shampoo or other soaps, such as dish soap, can dry your pet's skin and cause itching and redness.
- If you use a washcloth on your puppy, be sure to start with their face first. You can wipe their face down and avoid using any shampoo near their eyes.
- Wiping your puppy's face down first before wiping their potty areas will ensure bacteria from potty areas does not get into your pup's eyes, nose, or mouth.
Conclusion
Your 8-week-old puppy is a cute, cuddly ball of energy. They're going to get pawsitively dirty at times. It’s a safe time to give your puppy a bath, but just be sure to keep your pampered pooch dry and warm once you are done. Use simple ingredients to get your pup clean so you can get back to cuddling or playing together quickly.
If you'd rather let someone else take on the messy chore of giving your dog a bath, book a Grooming service with a Pet Caregiver near you today.
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!
Grooming Success Stories
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