A good rule is to wait until a puppy is at least 8 weeks old before giving the first bath, and even then only bathe as needed. Very young puppies can get chilled easily, so if your puppy is younger than 8 weeks, use a warm damp cloth or puppy wipes instead unless a vet says otherwise.

What to do

  • Wait until 8 weeks old for a normal first bath.
  • Bathe only when dirty, smelly, or sticky, not on a strict weekly schedule.
  • Use lukewarm water and a puppy-safe shampoo.
  • Dry them well right away so they do not get cold.

Extra timing

  • If your puppy had a spot-on flea treatment, wait at least 48 hours before bathing.
  • Many puppies only need a bath every 1 to 3 months unless they get messy or have a skin issue.

Simple example

If you bring home a 10-week-old puppy who rolled in mud, a bath is fine. If you have a 6-week-old puppy who is just a little dusty, skip the bath and clean them gently instead.

TL;DR: Wait until about 8 weeks old, then bathe only when needed and keep them warm.
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