WHAT AGE CAN WE BATHE A PUPPY?

Up to 4 or 6 weeks it is the mother who grooms the puppy. Therefore, during this period we will leave the work to her. If unfortunately the puppy does not have its mother, we will stimulate and wash it by means of a dry or damp cloth, if necessary, to simulate its mother's care.

Once the period of lactation has ended, the age to bathe a puppy, provided it is not necessary to do so beforehand, is from 3 months of age onwards, always making sure that the animal does not become cold in the process.

If a puppy under three months of age needs to be bathed for a major reason, we must assess the risk/benefit, i.e. whether we can clean only the stained area, whether we can remove the dirt using a cloth, and if a complete bath is necessary, we should do it with hot water, in an enclosed space and use a hairdryer to prevent the animal from becoming cold due to a draught or being wet for too long.

After the age of three months, and as long as their vaccination programme has been completed, their immune system will be stronger. The risk of them getting sick from the cold is lower but does not disappear, which is why we should not bathe them unless there is a justifiable reason for it.

You may have heard that they need a bath to get used to it, but before having a bath, it is very important to take into account the socialisation guidelines. Among other things, they must get used to our contact - to us touching their whole body, paws, ears, tummy - and we must get them to relate this contact to positive things, so that we will be one step closer to a pleasant bath.

How should the first bath be?

The first bath should be done slowly, with a soft voice, games, and turning that first contact with water into something relaxing, even fun. If the puppy is frightened we shouldn't force it. We should start by getting it used to the shower or bath, or if you're going to do it in a dog grooming salon, it would be advisable to go before the day of the bath, so that it gets to know the staff there and gets used to the premises, noises and so on.

To minimise stress, we should ideally let them discover for themselves the place where we are going to bathe them, let them smell the sponge, the shampoo, let them see the tap or shower as something harmless. Once the puppy is at ease with all the elements, we should slowly turn on the tap and see how well it responds.

For the bath, we should use a specific shampoo for dogs, and avoid using products for humans, as our skin has different needs. Once lathered, rinse thoroughly to make sure there is no remaining shampoo on the coat, dry with a towel and then dry with a hairdryer so that the puppy does not stay wet for too long and does not catch a cold.

It is important to dry the crease areas (between the fingers, armpits, etc) very well to avoid problems of dermatitis, to avoid humidity or fungal infections.

How often should I bathe my puppy?

The frequency of bathing will depend on each animal, depending on their coat type and our lifestyle. Normally they do not need to be bathed more than 2 or 3 times a year.

If the pet needs more frequent baths because it gets very dirty during walks or due to veterinary treatment, there will be no problem as long as it is something positive for it and you use the right products and make sure you dry the most sensitive parts above all.

María González Sola.
Co-founder of Refugio la vida color Frambuesa and responsible for vet consults at VeggieAnimals.