Newborn puppies are very sensitive to temperature. [2] X Research source Don’t put the puppy into water because its body cannot regulate temperature well.
For very tiny puppies, you can even use a cotton ball or piece of gauze. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
Do not use soap or dog shampoo on a puppy under four weeks old, its skin is too sensitive and can dry out from shampoo.
Start at the head and wipe softly toward the tail.
If it is not possible to place the puppy with its mother, make sure it stays in a warm area without cold drafts.
Try not to bathe a puppy more than once a month or so. Most dogs only need to be bathed a couple times a year. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
Do not put puppies into a bathtub, sink, or tub full of water. It is hard for them to regulate their body temperature and they can become too cold when immersed in water.
It is good to get longer coated and fluffy dogs used to being brushed while they are young.
Start at the head and wipe gently back towards the tail. Make sure to wipe the underside too.
Just use a small amount of shampoo. Dry shampoos can be used on older puppies that don’t like water. These are rubbed onto the coat without water. [6] X Research source Make sure not to get the suds in the puppy’s eyes.
Choose an area that is not drafty.
Newborn puppies do not really need to be bathed at all, so resist the urge to try to bathe them. [10] X Expert Source Kateryna ZabashtaDog Breeder Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.
Line the space with newspapers, cloth, or towels and change them regularly. Use a material that does not contain dyes or chemicals. The mother will take care of all the feeding and removing waste for the first month or so. Just give her a nice clean space.
Only clean a newborn puppy if the mother is not cleaning it herself. [13] X Expert Source Kateryna ZabashtaDog Breeder Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.
