Do you really need to bathe your puppy? When puppies are born, their mother keeps them clean by licking and grooming them. But as soon as puppies start exploring or are no longer with their mother, they need a little extra help to stay clean. Running, playing, and tumbling around make it very easy for a puppy to get dirty. And then there’s the question: how often should you actually bathe a dog?
Most of the time, it’s enough to wipe your pup clean with a warm, damp cloth. But once they start going wild in the park, it can be much nicer to treat your little four-legged friend to a proper bath.
Puppy wassen
- Je puppy wassen? Begin er vroeg mee.
- Borstel je puppy voor het wassen.
- Kies de juiste plek.
- Gebruik een geschikte, milde shampoo.
- Je puppy wassen.
- De oren reinigen.
- Houd je kleine viervoeter warm.
- Nog een keer borstelen.
- Verfrissen en conditioneren.
- “Badtijd” is leuk!
1. Start bathing your puppy early
Even when your pup is still very young, you can bathe them gently. In fact, for puppies that will need professional grooming later on, it’s recommended to start early. This way, they can get used to the whole bath-time routine. As a result, when they’re older, they’ll often have no problem being washed. Bath time then becomes a normal part of their life – and they might even start to enjoy it!
2. Brush your puppy before the bath
If your puppy still has a fluffy coat or a long- or wire-haired coat, it’s important to brush it thoroughly before bathing. This removes all loose hairs and tangles before they get wet. Use a comb or brush that’s suitable for your puppy’s coat type. If you don’t brush out the tangles beforehand, they will soak up a lot of water during the bath. That extra weight can pull on your pup’s coat and feel quite uncomfortable.
Vegan houten borstels van Pawness
3. Choose the right spot
Most puppies are still small enough to be bathed in the sink at first. If that doesn’t work or doesn’t feel right to you, you can of course use the bathtub or shower instead. Just make sure your little friend doesn’t slip. A rubber mat for your pup to stand on is ideal. It helps them stand more securely during the bath. And if the idea of turning your home into a splash zone doesn’t appeal to you, there are also self-service dog washes. Here you can easily wash your pup yourself in a special dog-friendly tub. At the end of this article, you’ll find a list of locations for these dog wash stations.
4. Use a gentle, suitable shampoo
When bathing your puppy, it’s important to use the right shampoo. The shampoo you use yourself is not suitable for your pup. Human shampoos have a different pH value and often contain stronger cleansing agents than products made specifically for dogs. For puppies, it’s best to choose a mild, non-irritating shampoo. Bark Bliss Shampoo is perfect for this. This 100% natural formula nourishes and hydrates the skin and coat. Thanks to essential oils like vetiver and cedarwood, it also leaves the coat smelling wonderful.
5. Bathing your puppy
Because this experience is completely new for your pup, it’s important to start slowly. For the very first bath, it might be best to use just a sponge or a washcloth. Since your dog’s head and ears are very sensitive, it’s not recommended to wash them directly with a stream of water. From the neck to the tail, however, you can gently rinse your pup with running water. Take it step by step so your puppy has time to get used to this new sensation.
Time to lather up!
Once your dog’s coat is wet, you can gently lather them with a puppy-safe shampoo. Massage the shampoo in carefully, making sure none gets into their ears or eyes. After you’ve worked the shampoo in, rinse the coat thoroughly. You can rinse from the neck to the tail with a gentle stream of water, or use a sponge or washcloth for the whole body. Make sure no shampoo remains in the coat, as it can cause dryness and itching.
6. Clean the ears separately
Because your pup’s ears are so sensitive, it’s better to clean them separately. It’s not a good idea to clean them with a direct stream of water. This can feel very uncomfortable for your puppy and may even damage the eardrum. Just like with humans, it’s nice to clean the ears from time to time. This is especially important for dogs with large, floppy ears. Use a product that’s specifically designed for this, such as Puur Oor (Auris).
7. Keep your little four-legged friend warm
Bathing your puppy is not so different from bathing a baby. First and foremost, you need to keep them warm during the bath: a warm room, comfortably warm water (test it on your own skin), a soft, fluffy towel, and warm – but not too hot – air from a hairdryer if your pup has a full coat that needs blow-drying. Naturally, you should never take them outside while their coat is still damp. Not only could they catch a chill, but in their excitement they might start romping, running, and digging right away – and all your hard work will have been for nothing.
8. Brush one more time
Does your pup still have a fluffy, long-haired, or wire-haired coat? Then it’s definitely a good idea to brush the coat again after washing and drying. This helps prevent any tangles that formed during the bath and drying process from staying in the coat. And of course, it’s also the perfect finishing touch to your grooming session!
9. Refresh and condition
A common question is: how often should you bathe a dog? It’s not recommended to bathe your pup too often. The ideal frequency depends on their coat type and how dirty they get from walks and playtime. To care for and freshen up the coat between baths, you can use a conditioning spray. Bark Bliss Leave-in Spray is perfect for this. Just like the shampoo, this 100% natural spray is mild and non-irritating. It nourishes and refreshes your pup’s skin and coat without causing irritation. Spray it lightly over the coat, give it a quick brush, and voilà – your little friend is ready to steal the show again!
Ontdek de Leave-in sprays van Pawness
10. Bath time is fun!
Just like so many things in your pup’s early life, bath time is a brand-new experience. That’s why it’s important for your dog to develop a positive association with it. This not only makes your pup’s life more enjoyable, but yours as well. Because bath time can feel a bit overwhelming at first, it’s important to help your pup feel safe and relaxed. Stay calm yourself too, because your puppy is very sensitive to your body language and will mirror your behaviour. At the same time, try not to over-comfort them. Too much fussing can actually confirm their worries and create a negative association with bath time. Instead, make sure there’s something tasty waiting at the end of the bath routine. Your loyal friend has done an amazing job, and that deserves to be celebrated with plenty of treats and cuddles!
“Hondenwasstraten” in Nederland:
Bron “puppy wassen”: National Certified Master Groomer (NCMG)
Ik ben Denise, oprichter van Pawness. Ontstaan vanuit de liefde voor mijn hond Bo en de zoektocht naar eerlijke, mooie producten voor honden. Ik geloof dat elke keuze telt: voor je hond, voor de planeet en voor de mensen erachter. Met deze blogs help ik puppyouders bewuster te kiezen, zonder dat het ingewikkeld hoeft te zijn.
