Bathing and Grooming
How often should I bathe my puppy and what kind of shampoo is best?
Unless your puppy gets himself muddy or smelly for some reason, it is best not to bath him more than once a month. Frequent bathing can dry out her skin and hair coat. Frequency of bathing can also depend on the breed or hair type of your dog. Smooth coated breeds can often go longer between baths than curly coated breeds. Some double coated breeds do not need to be bathed more than twice a year, because regular brushing will keep them clean and odor free. When bathing, be sure to use a shampoo that is labeled for use in puppies or a gentle brand with primary ingredients of oatmeal and/or aloe.
At what age can I start bathing and brushing my puppy?
You can start bathing and brushing your puppy any time, and the sooner and more regularly you do so, the easier it will be when your puppy gets older. Like everything new, you will need to desensitize your puppy to the process, going slowly and using plenty of treats and praise. Avoid getting soap in your puppy’s eyes and water in the ears. You can place a cotton ball just inside the ears to help with this, as long as you remember to take them out and don’t push them in too far! Use gentle pressure when brushing and, before you know it, your pup will look forward to the love and attention. Always make sure you dry your puppy’s coat thoroughly after bathing.
Should I cut my puppy’s hair?
Some breeds such as Poodles and Schnauzers need regular haircuts. For others, a nail trim and trimming the hair on the pads is sufficient. Many people will shave down thick or double coated dogs in the summer thinking that will help keep them cool when, in fact, their coats are designed to protect their skin from the heat and sun. Most puppies will not require hair cuts until they are older than 4 months.
How do I trim my puppy’s toenails and how often should they be trimmed?
Start out by getting your puppy used to having his feet handled, practicing daily with playing with his toes and pushing on his nails. When you first attempt to trim the claws, go slowly, since the noise and sensation (pressure on the nail/nail bed) of trimming can be frightening. If your puppy has white nails, look for where the pink runs through the nail from the bed and clip just the tip of the nail up to right before where the pink begins. Black nails are harder to determine as you will not be able to see the “quick” (pink area). For black nails, it is best just to take off the little hook at the end if you are unsure. Always have some styptic or other bleed stop product on hand just in case you clip too high. If you are uncertain about how to do a proper nail trimming or how far back to cut, ask your veterinarian or a technician at your vet’s office to show you. Make sure you purchase a quality set of clippers, avoiding the ones with the guard on them or any that require you to put the nail through a hole, as these can cause injury or accidental cutting of the quick.
Do I need to brush my puppy’s teeth?
You should absolutely begin teeth brushing when your puppy is young, as brushing can help prevent the need for major dental work later in life! Tooth paste made for dogs is usually flavored and safe for dogs to swallow and is available at most major pet retailers. You can use a finger brush or a regular toothbrush to clean your puppy’s teeth. There are also dental chews, sprays, water additives and gels available for your dog. With training, your dog can learn to enjoy this process and will remind you to do this every day!
- Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste Dog Poultry Flavor
- Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dog Dental Spray
- Arm and Hammer Toothbrush and Finger Toothbrush Set for Dogs
- Emmy's Best Premium Pet Water Additive