Too young to bathe?

[txsweetie78]

How young (or old) can pups be before their first bath? Our litter is a 4 1/2 weeks old. Are they too young, still? I was gonna do it in the kitchen sink w/some puppy shampoo Not sure which brand yet, suggestions are appreciated!

[BratBoxers]

I start bathing when they turn 3 weeks.

I made it fast and I used JJ baby wash.

[txsweetie78]

I thought about J&J, too. If it's good for newborns, it should def. be good for pups that age.
Thanks!

[GSDNewbie]

personally I wait till they are 6 to eight weeks for a full bath though i will take a warm damp cloth over any nasty spots on nessesity but the bedding i use I find that normally not problem

[NicoleLJ]

I would recommend:

Earthbath Puppy Shampoo

A Natural Approach


Tearless & Extra Gentle, this exceptional shampoo is pH-balanced to give puppies the tender loving care their sensitive skin and coat deserve. Blended with a dash of baby-fresh cherry essence, this luxurious shampoo will leave your precious puppy looking and smelling better than ever before.

Ingredients

Purified water, natural cleansers, gentle conditioning agent, aloe vera, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, cherry essence. All ingredients are natural, 100% biodegradable, and extra gentle on you and your pet.

Instructions for Use

Shake well before using to ensure that natural ingredients are in suspension On a wet coat, lather your puppy thoroughly with a few good palm-fulls of Earthbath® Totally Natural Puppy Shampoo. Remember to eliminate all escape routes well in advance (a tip once your pet is sudsy and wet, he or she is suddenly smarter and faster than you are). Rinse off Towel dry thoroughly with a big hug.


It is only about 15(CND) dollars a bottle and one bottle lasts me 8 months and that is with bathing once a week(service dogs). This one is specifically designed for puppies.

[pung-yo]

I have to agree with GSDNewbie, pups usually get bathed only around 8 weeks, you are removing the smell of the mom and littermates from them, it is confusing for young minds still developing. The mom usually takes care of the washing routine, bathing them also disturbs the mom. If there is some off the wall reason they need to be cleaned, you could wet a facecloth in water with baking soda and gently wipe them, but I would never give a bath before 8 weeks. Lots of breeder friends and that's the way they do it.

[BratBoxers]

APBTs/AmStaffs need regular bathing if not they can get serious skin problems. This breed needs to be kept clean and parasite free.
At 3 weeks my pups start to smell like pee & poo so its always best to bathe them. If not smelly there is no need to bathe them.

3 weeks should be the earliest time IMO though.

I sure cringe at the though of how they would smell after not being bathed for 2 months.

BTW If using Pine bedding there would be no need for bathing usually.

[GSDNewbie]

i do not suggest pine bedding as it can cause lung poblems too much dust
and some pups ingest it and get perforated by it. Also I have never had a problem keeping my pups clean without bathing them? between mama and I and the bedding they do not get stinky or nasty or skin problems no matter what the breed. A change of breed does not change the cleanliness of the litter?

[NicoleLJ]

Actually it can. My grandpa bred beagles and he had to bath the puppies for the same reason. Depending on the breed, type of coat and so forth can also depend on bathing.
Nicole & Sheena PSD, Luca PSDIT

[BratBoxers]

Listen all bull type breeds do need to be kept cleaner than your average breed because of their folds, type of skin etc......

GSDNewbie what type of bedding do you use?