How to Clean Puppy Fur
Easy
10 - 15 Minutes
1 Month
Need regular grooming services?
Introduction
Puppies are notorious for getting into the messiest of messes when you turn your back. Knowing how to keep your wiggly puppy as clean as possible until she can leap right back into the thick of another mud puddle is important for her health and hygiene, even if it can be a bit of a pain. Thankfully, cleaning your puppy doesn’t have to be too big of a hassle, as there are a few different ways you can get it done! Whether you’re going for a quick clean or a full-on bath, cleaning puppy fur will likely be much easier than your grooming regimen once she’s a full-fledged adult.
Dog's Perspective
Your puppy may or may not have had her first bath before, and that’s okay. Sometimes that means that the water can be a little scary or uncomfortable, but most puppies will get through the ordeal with enough affection, treats, and verbal praise to make it seem not so bad. Expect some apprehension, unless your puppy is overly fond of bath time.
The Dry Bath Method
Effective
0 Votes
Pin Brush
Towel
Step
1
Brush out the fur
Use the appropriate kind of brush for your puppy’s fur to brush it out thoroughly from head to tail. Make sure to brush the belly, the tail, and other areas that may not get as much attention. If her fur is longer, this part may take a little bit more time.
Step
2
Apply mixture of baking soda and cornstarch
Mix one cup of cornstarch with a half cup of baking soda into a large bowl. You can then use your hands with or without a pair of gloves to apply the mixture along your puppy’s body. Don’t get the mixture into the eyes, ears, or nose, as this can cause irritation.
Step
3
Cover the body
Apply the mixture to all other areas of your puppy’s body to ensure proper coverage. Remember the hard to reach areas like the groin, under the tail, and the underside of the paws. This mixture will help lift dirt and grime from the fur without the need to use water.
Step
4
Let it sit
For puppies with shorter fur, you can let the mixture sit on the fur for about ten minutes or so. Longer fur or puppies with undercoats may around twenty to thirty minutes instead to let the mixture seep into the deeper areas for a proper clean.
Step
5
Brush out the mixture
Once you’ve let the mixture sit, use a brush to brush out the mixture from the fur. You can use this in tandem with a towel to clean off the mixture and remove the dirt from the fur in the process. Using this mixture whenever your puppy needs a quick cleaning can be preferable to setting a whole bath up.
Recommend grooming method?
The Wet Bath Method
Effective
0 Votes
Shampoo
Towel
Step
1
Fill the tub with warm water
Make sure the temperature of the water is not too cold or too hot. It should be pleasantly warm so as not to cause any discomfort. The water should also not come too high and is best at a level where your puppy can still walk around without struggling.
Step
2
Adjust to the water
If this is your puppy’s first time in the water, take some time to get her used to it. Water can be loud and a little scary, so if you need to, you may want to start with a slow trickle of water and let her inspect or sniff at it before turning the faucet on the whole way. You may also dip her toes in the water before placing her into the tub entirely.
Step
3
Rinse out the fur
Use a cup of water or a showerhead to rinse any excess dirt or debris from your puppy’s fur before you begin to wash. The rinse can help make the rest of the dirt easier to lift from the fur later on.
Step
4
Apply shampoo
Use a puppy-safe shampoo and lather it up on your puppy’s body. Wash the body thoroughly while avoiding the sensitive areas such as the eyes, ears, and nose. Remember to wash in the hard to reach areas that don’t get as much attention.
Step
5
Rinse again and dry
Use the cup or the showerhead to rinse away the shampoo while being cautious about getting water into the ears or nose. Once all the shampoo is rinsed away, use a towel to pat your puppy dry. Try not to rub excessively with the towel, as this can cause some skin irritation or shedding.
Recommend grooming method?
Caution & Considerations
- Your puppy may need more than just a basic cleaning if she has an excessive amount of dirt, debris, or matting in her fur. If necessary, consider giving her a trim in some of the areas that need it.
- If this is your puppy’s first bath, have some toys or treats on hand to keep her calm and distracted while you get the cleaning done. This can also help establish some good associations with the bathing process.
- Try to save baths for when your puppy absolutely needs them. Too many baths can get rid of the oils in her fur and can cause dry skin or other issues with the fur.
- Keeping a bit of the mixture of cornstarch and baking soda may come in handy for quick cleaning later on.
- Make sure to use the right types of brush for your puppy’s fur type. Thicker fur may need a brush that is meant to loosen tangles, while shorter fur may just need a basic pin brush.Â
- Bathing should be relatively quick to prevent your puppy from getting overwhelmed, stressed, or too restless.Â
- Puppies will get excited once the bath is over, so make sure your puppy is dried thoroughly to prevent slipping and falling.
Conclusion
Every puppy needs the occasional bath or cleaning in order to keep their fur healthy and looking great. Whether you decide to do a quick dry clean or a full-on bath, remember to cater your cleaning solution to your puppy's fur needs. As long as you consider what is best for her, she will be happy to get through your cleaning routine and get right back to being playful and curious.
