How to Bathe a Puppy

To bathe a puppy, brush her first, then stand her in a few inches of lukewarm water. Wet her with a cup, lather a puppy shampoo made for dogs from head to tail, and rinse until the water runs clear.

Keep water out of her ears, eyes and nose. Towel her dry and keep her warm until she's fully dry. Most puppies need a bath far less often than people expect.

How often should I bathe my puppy?

Less often than you'd bathe yourself. The ASPCA recommends bathing a dog at least once every three months, and more often for dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors.

The Merck Veterinary Manual suggests about once a month, depending on the season, or whenever the coat gets very dirty or smells bad. Between those two, there's plenty of room to bathe only when she needs it.

Too much washing has a cost. The ASPCA warns that frequent baths can strip the coat's natural oils and leave skin dry and flaky, especially in winter. In a cold spell, bathe as little as you can.

How young is too young?

Very young puppies can't keep themselves warm. Merck notes that puppies can't regulate their own body temperature until about 4 weeks old, and that a damp newborn's temperature drops fast.

If your puppy is very young, or small and easily chilled, ask your vet before a full bath. For muddy paws, the ASPCA's after-walk routine works well: wash and dry just the feet and belly.

Can I use my own shampoo on a puppy?

Use a shampoo made for dogs instead. Human shampoo isn't toxic, the ASPCA says, but some contain fragrances or other ingredients that can irritate a dog's skin.

There's a less obvious reason too, and it's one of the more interesting facts about dogs. Their skin chemistry is different from ours.

A study in the Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research puts human skin at a pH of about 4.5 to 6.0. Dog skin sits higher, at about 5.5 to 7.2. One report the authors cite measured an average of 7.48 on a dog's flank.

Human shampoos are made for that more acidic human skin. A puppy shampoo is made for her.

What should I look for in a puppy shampoo?

• A label that says it's for dogs, and ideally for puppies. Check the label's age guidance.
• A gentle, cleansing formula for routine baths. If her skin seems dry, especially in winter, the ASPCA suggests asking your vet about a moisturizing shampoo or rinse.
• Clear directions. Merck stresses following every instruction on the bottle.

Medicated shampoos are a separate thing. Use one only when your vet prescribes it, and follow their instructions on how long to leave it on and how often.

What do I need before bath time?

Get everything within reach first, so you never have to step away from a wet puppy. The ASPCA's checklist is short:

• a brush, for a good brushing before she gets wet
• a tub or sink, and a non-slip mat if the surface is slick
• a spray hose, a large plastic pitcher or an unbreakable cup
• a large cotton ball for each ear
• your puppy shampoo
• a big, absorbent towel, or two
• a floating toy, which the ASPCA recommends for wriggly puppies so she focuses on the toy instead of mouthing you

Brushing first is the ASPCA's opening step. It clears dead hair and mats before she gets wet. If she's chewing everything right now, our guide to puppy teething toys covers what's safe for that busy mouth.

You can also ask your vet for a sterile eye lubricant. The ASPCA suggests one to protect her eyes from shampoo.

How do I bathe a puppy, step by step?

It's gentler than it sounds. Go slowly, and keep the first bath short.

1. Fill the tub or sink with about three to four inches of lukewarm water, the depth the ASPCA recommends. Test it on your wrist. It should feel comfortably warm, never hot.
2. Place a cotton ball gently in each ear, then lower her in with one hand under her chest and one under her back end, so she feels supported.
3. Wet her coat with the cup or sprayer. Pour from the neck back, and take care not to pour or spray water into her ears, eyes or nose.
4. Lather the shampoo in gently, working from head to tail. Use your hand or a damp cloth around her face rather than pouring.
5. Rinse, then rinse again. Merck notes that leftover shampoo is a common cause of skin irritation in dogs, so keep going until the water runs clear and the coat no longer feels slippery.
6. Lift her out, remove the cotton balls, and wrap her in a towel straight away.

Talk to her calmly the whole time, and keep a hand on her. A bath is a lot of new sensations at once.

How do I dry a puppy after a bath?

Thoroughly. The ASPCA's advice is to give her a good rub with a large towel.

Keep her somewhere warm and draft-free until she's completely dry. The ASPCA's cold-weather guidance is to towel-dry pets as soon as they come inside, and Merck notes that damp young puppies lose body heat fast.

How do I make my puppy like bath time?

Start before she ever gets wet. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center recommends cooperative care, which means teaching a dog to take part in handling gradually, at her own pace, with rewards.

In practice, that looks like this:

• Let her explore the empty tub and the brush at her own pace, with a small reward each time.
• Practice gently touching her paws and ears when she's already relaxed.
• Keep sessions short, with frequent small rewards.
• Stop while it's still going well. Cornell's team notes that pushing past a dog's comfort level can make the next session harder.

Watch her for small stress signals, such as lip licking and yawning. Slow down when you see them.

The same patient approach works for other handling routines. Our guide to dog toothpaste and brushing builds the same habit for her teeth.

Call your vet promptly if your puppy:

• is very young, or shivers and can't get warm after a bath
• has red, flaky or irritated skin after bathing
• scratches or licks at her skin far more than usual
• smells strongly or feels greasy again soon after a bath
• gets shampoo in her eyes and they stay red or watery

Questions new puppy parents ask

Can I use baby shampoo on my puppy?

A shampoo made for dogs is the better choice. Human products are formulated for human skin, which is more acidic than a dog's, and the ASPCA notes some contain ingredients that can irritate a dog's skin.

What temperature should puppy bath water be?

Lukewarm, in about three to four inches of water. It should feel comfortably warm on your wrist, never hot.

How often can I bathe my puppy?

Only as needed. Merck suggests about once a month, the ASPCA at least once every three months. Bathe less in cold weather to keep her skin from drying out.

Should I use a hair dryer on my puppy?

A towel and a warm room are usually enough. If you try a dryer, ask your vet or groomer for advice first, and introduce it slowly, the way Cornell's cooperative care approach suggests for any new tool.

Sources

• ASPCA: Dog Grooming Tips
• ASPCA: Cold Weather Safety Tips
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Routine Health Care of Dogs
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Treatment of Skin Disorders in Dogs
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of the Neonate in Dogs and Cats
• Matousek JL, et al. Evaluation of the effect of pH on in vitro growth of Malassezia pachydermatis. Can J Vet Res, 2003
• Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: Grooming and Cooperative Care, 2026

This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog — they know the animal in front of them.