How to Bathe a Newborn Puppy

Last Updated: February 22, 2023 References Approved

Is there anything cuter than a newborn puppy? If you've got a litter of puppies at home, you're probably wondering how best to keep them clean. While you usually won't need to do anything at all because their mother will take care of bathing them, we'll walk you through what to do if the mother doesn't clean her puppies. We've also got a guide on how to bathe puppies older than 4 weeks so they stay clean and fresh.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Hand-Cleaning Newborn Puppies

1
Start bathing your puppy once they're 4 weeks old. Puppies less than four weeks old do not really need to be bathed. At most, bathe your puppy one time if it is very dirty and the mother cannot clean it herself.
2
Hold the puppy close to yourself. Holding the puppy close to your chest will keep it warm.^{[1]
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- 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.
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3
Use a gentle washcloth. Choose a cloth that is clean and soft because newborn puppies are very sensitive.
- For very tiny puppies, you can even use a cotton ball or piece of gauze.^{[3]
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4
Use only water. Wet the clean washcloth in warm water and wring out most of the excess water until it is just damp.
- 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.
5
Gently wipe the puppy. Use the warm, damp cloth to gently wipe the puppy's coat.
- Start at the head and wipe softly toward the tail.
6
Dry the puppy. It is very important to dry the puppy to remove any excess moisture. A wet puppy can become too cold very quickly because it has a hard time regulating its body temperature.
7
Return the puppy to its mother. After cleaning and drying the puppy, return it to its mother so she can keep it warm.^{[4]
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- If it is not possible to place the puppy with its mother, make sure it stays in a warm area without cold drafts.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Bathing Puppies Older than Four Weeks

1
Decide if your puppy needs a bath. Dogs of all ages do not really need to be bathed unless they have a skin condition or if they are very dirty. If your puppy is very dirty or smelly you can bathe it occasionally.
- 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]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
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  Go to source}
2
Put the puppy on soft blanket so water doesn’t drip on the floor.
- 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.
3
Brush puppies with a very fluffy coat before bathing. Brush your puppy to remove tangles or mats before you bathe it if it has a long or fluffy coat.
- It is good to get longer coated and fluffy dogs used to being brushed while they are young.
4
Use a gentle washcloth and warm water. Choose a soft clean cloth and get it wet in water that is warm but not very hot. Wipe the puppy off with the cloth.
- Start at the head and wipe gently back towards the tail.
- Make sure to wipe the underside too.
5
Use gentle shampoo. Use shampoo made for puppies or babies. Puppy skin can be sensitive even as they start to grow.
- 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]
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- Make sure not to get the suds in the puppy's eyes.
6
Gently wash the puppy. Lather the shampoo like you would on your own hair. Wipe the suds away with the cloth, then rinse it in warm water and wipe again. Repeat until the puppy is clean.
7
Dry the puppy off. Dry the puppy right away with a clean dry towel. It is important to get the puppy dry so it does not get too cold.
8
Put the puppy in a warm area. Puppies need a place to stay warm since it is hard for them to regulate their own temperature.^{[7]
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- Choose an area that is not drafty.
9
Associate bathing with good things. Get your puppy used to bathing and make them associate a bath with nice things like toys and treats. Let your puppy have a nice treat after its bath.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Leaving it to Mom

1
Leave newborn puppies with their mother. Mothers usually care for newborn puppies including keeping them very clean. If at all possible leave the bathing of a newborn puppy to its mother for the first four weeks.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Kateryna Zabashta
Dog Breeder
Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.}
- Newborn puppies do not really need to be bathed at all, so resist the urge to try to bathe them.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kateryna Zabashta
  Dog Breeder
  Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.}
2
Keep the area clean. Make sure to keep the space for the mother and puppies clean.^{[11]
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Research source}
- 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.
3
Check in regularly. Check to make sure the mother cleans her puppies. In rare cases a mother may abandon or neglect some puppies. ^{[12]
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Research source}
- Only clean a newborn puppy if the mother is not cleaning it herself.^{[13]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kateryna Zabashta
  Dog Breeder
  Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.}

Expert Q&A

Question

Do puppies need to be washed right after they're born?

Kateryna Zabashta
Dog Breeder
Kateryna Zabashta is a Dog Breeder and the Owner of Emma’s Frenchies in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over five years of experience, Kateryna specializes in dog nutrition, general care, and breeding French Bulldogs.

Kateryna Zabashta

Dog Breeder

Expert Answer

No, typically the mom will clean them. For the first 4 weeks or so, you should let the mom do all the work. The only time you'd do that is if the mother isn't engaged or can't keep up with a very large litter.
Question

Can I bath my 8 week old puppy in Dawn dish liquid?

Community Answer

No. You should use baby shampoo, as it is gentle and easy on the eyes. It is safe to use on babies, people, dogs and cats.
Question

What if the puppy is orphaned, a day old, very messy, and also has a thick crust on his face?

Community Answer

Try lightly rubbing him with clean water, you can also clean the puppy with dog wet wipes.