How to Clean a 1 Month Old Puppy (2024)

Introduction

Your cute littlepuppy has made it through so much learning and growing in his first month. Heis strong enough to run and make little jumps by now. He’s playing more thanever. And he’s even eating solid foods. Eating puppy kibble alone is enough tomake him dirty as he plays with his meals and gets it in his coat. You may havebeen spot cleaning small areas of your puppy the past few weeks and arewondering just when you can give him a bath. If you don’t have to bathe him justyet, wait a bit longer. But if you must, you can submerge him in warm water fora very quick bath before wrapping, drying, and taking him back to warmth.

Dog's Perspective

Have your bath all ready to go before introducing your one-month-old puppy to the water. He might be nervous and scaredof the loud sounds running water makes. Also, feel free to continue with spot cleaning. At one-month-old, you are also giving him one small treat after he’s tolerated such a new experience.

The First Bath Method

Most Recommended

6 Votes

Towel

Step

Warm room

A bathroom might be the easiest place to bathe your one-month-old puppy. But you do not need to place him in a large tub. You can use the bathroom sink since he’s probably still pretty small, even if he’s going to be a giant pup one day. Make the room warm by running a hot shower while setting up the sink. Keep the door closed.

Step

Bring pup in

Once the sink has a bit of warm water in and the bathroom is nice and warm, bring your puppy in.

Step

Soft cloth

You can set your puppy in the warm water and gently get him wet with a soft cloth, or you can set him on a towel on the counter and use the warm water to dip your cloth in. If there is no reason to submerge him, keeping him on a warm towel is perfect for these first few baths.

Step

Wipe down

Use the cloth to wipe down your month old puppy from head to tail. Start with his face, then move to his neck and body before finishing off with his potty areas. You do not need to use shampoo at this point, but if you feel you must, use a puppy tear-free shampoo. Do not use human soap or shampoo on any of your dogs.

Step

Dry

Use a separate towel to dry your puppy. Keep him in the warm bathroom until he is mostly dry. Wrap your pup in a blanket or dry towel before leaving the warmth of the bathroom. He will be cold once you open the door.

Step

Keep warm

Your month-old puppy is just now starting to regulate his own body temperature. But he is practicing and might not be able to get warm once he’s wet and cold all the same time. This is especially true if your puppy is a small or tiny breed. Keep him wrapped and warm before returning him to his warm bedding, mother, and littermates.

Recommend grooming method?

The Wipe Off Method

Effective

2 Votes

Towel

Step

Dry soft cloth

Use a dry cloth to wipe down your one-month-old puppy. This will get off any dirt or food debris not stuck in the fur.

Step

Warm wet cloth

Wet a soft cloth with warm water. Squeeze out any excess water and ensure the cloth is warm but not too hot.

Step

Wipe down face

Use the warm cloth to wipe down your puppy’s face. If he’s eating puppy kibble now, you may need to wipe his mouth and chin, especially if he has longer facial fur.

Step

Body

Rinse the cloth in warm water and squeeze out the excess leaving you with a soft, damp warm cloth again. Wipe down your puppy’s body.

Step

Dry

Use a fluffy warm towel to dry your one-month-old puppy. He is doing a better job regulating his body temperature at this point in his life, but he should not be left wet to air dry just yet. Dry him with a warm towel before taking him back to his littermates and bedding.

Recommend grooming method?

Caution & Considerations

Even though your puppy is one month old now, he's still a little puppy. He's still quite fragile though stronger, and he's still learning to regulate his body temperature, so he needs to stay warm at all times.
You can submerge your puppy in a bath at about one-month-old. But consider whether or not you actually have to do this before you give him his first bath in warm bath water.
If you have a small breed or a tiny breed, one month might not be quite old enough for water submersion. He's still pretty tiny, so keep him warm and make good choices for him.
If your one-month-old puppy is still with his mother, she will probably wean him fairly soon. This means you can have him away from her more often without her worrying and without him being terrified.
Anytime you're getting your one-month-old puppy wet, consider warming the room first. A bathroom can be warmed by running a hot shower and steaming up the room and then going inside with your puppy with the door closed.
Remember to always keep your one-month-old puppy wrapped or swaddled after cleaning him before returning him to his bedding area with his mother and litter.

Conclusion

If you are the puppy parent who will be pampering your pooch quite often, remember you will have many years to do that. With brushing, grooming, pedicures, and spa treatments, you'll have lots of time to pamper your pooch. When your little guy is only a month old, take care of him and only clean him when it's absolutely necessary.

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

Grooming Questions & Answers

Question

Cartier

Ridgeback Pitbull

1 Month

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Question

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Cartier

Ridgeback Pitbull

1 Month

Can I bath my month old puppy? He stinks and I just wanna make him clean

1year, 9months ago

Cartier's Owner

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Question

zeus

Shih Tzu

8 Weeks

3 found helpful

Question

3 found helpful

zeus

Shih Tzu

8 Weeks

is it to soon to have him groom

5years, 3months ago

Zeus's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0Dog owners recommended

Hi Debra, congrats on your puppy! The most important thing to consider when taking Zeus to the groomer for the first time is his vaccines. Check with your veterinarian to make sure that they are all up to date before you go. The groomer should be introduced to your puppy for the first time around 8 to 10 weeks of age, although the first visit will be very brief. It's really just a "get to know you" kind of visit. The next visit will be about 2 weeks later and will involve a basic groom and a trim of the nail tips. Then, a few weeks later a full session of grooming can take place as Zeus will be comfortable with the groomer and will look forward to the hugs and treats!

5years, 3months ago

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Blue

Bull Terrier

1 Month

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Blue

Bull Terrier

1 Month

Can I bath my puppy in Joy or what should I use?

4years, 9months ago

Blue's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0Dog owners recommended

Hi Tonja, Blue is adorable! Being such a young pup, I wouldn't think that he would need a full bath just yet. If you are wanting to get him used to the tub, just add a tiny bit of warm water and let him get used the sensation and the environment. Gently pour the water over his body using a plastic cup. Be sure to keep him warm, though and snuggle him in a towel directly afterward. I do not recommend using Joy on a dog of any age; go to a reputable pet supply store and inquire about a mild shampoo specifically for dogs. You can also go to your veterinarian clinic. They will have products that will be safe for use on little Blue. Enjoy your cute puppy!

4years, 9months ago

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Whisky

Lhasa Apso

1 Month

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Whisky

Lhasa Apso

1 Month

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Question

melo

Husky

4 Weeks

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melo

Husky

4 Weeks

am i allow to shower my dog without using a towel just using my hands and stuff ?

3years, 9months ago

Melo's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0Dog owners recommended

Hello and thank you for the question. Because Melo is so young, I would recommend pet wipes to start. Melo can't be that dirty already - and bathing Huskies often is not necessary. When older, showering your dog on the occasion should be fine as long as Melo is not frightened. Sometimes a bath is less intimidating. In either case but especially in the shower, be careful not to get the dog shampoo in the eyes. (Use a vet-approved dog shampoo.) Always towel dry thoroughly. Good luck and have fun with your puppy!

3years, 9months ago

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Question

Buchanan

Husky

1 Month

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Buchanan

Husky

1 Month

Bucky fell asleep in his stool, and I wanted to shower him but I don’t want him to get sick. Does the towel cleaning method work in this situation?

3years, 9months ago

Buchanan's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0Dog owners recommended

What an adorable pup! Thank you for the picture. Yes, the towel method works and is probably preferable so that Bucky doesn't catch a chill. It's very important, as you know, to towel dry your dog thoroughly to avoid a chill. I agree that he is too young for the shower just yet, so using a wet cloth and a towel (doing so in a warm and cozy room) is best. Good luck and enjoy your little pup!

3years, 9months ago

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Question

Simba

Pug

1 Month

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Simba

Pug

1 Month

Simba is not with his mother anymore and has been with us for 3 days. His poop turned green with a little blood, indicating a bacterial infection in the stomach.
I think I should rinse his fur and body with water to clean him and make him feel better
Any advice??

3years, 6months ago

Simba's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0Dog owners recommended

Hello, Simba is very young as you know. I wouldn't wait - I would call the veterinarian to have him checked. When pups are so young they can become seriously ill quickly, turning into an emergency situation. I am not a vet, so please call them. I'm not sure that Simba is old enough to be weaned from his mother's milk and that may be the problem. Don't delay and all the best to little Simba!

3years, 6months ago

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Penny

Labrador Retriever

1 Month

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Penny

Labrador Retriever

1 Month

Her breath smells bad and I took her to vet also but he said not to worry about it. What should I do?

3years, 4months ago

Penny's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0Dog owners recommended

Hello, if you are still uncomfortable about your puppy's breath, you could get a second opinion from another vet. Or you can ask a vet a question right here on the Wag! site, the same as you did me. There is a link "Ask a Vet" at the top of the page here: https://wagwalking.com/condition/bad-breath-chronic. All the best to little Penny!

3years, 4months ago

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Question

Maya & Maui

Australian Shepherd mixed

1 Month

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Question

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Maya & Maui

Australian Shepherd mixed

1 Month

My puppies are a month old and we wanted to know which way would be better to bathe them because where we it’s often very cold / chilly and we dont want them to catch a cold :(

3years, 3months ago

Maya & Maui's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0Dog owners recommended

Hello, beautiful puppies! I personally would wait until they are older to bathe them. If you really think they need to be cleaned, you could use a dry shampoo (ask the vet for puppy-safe recommendations) or pet-safe wipes. Wipes would likely do the trick as I don't think the puppies can be very dirty at this young age? Whatever you do, you are right - it is very important to keep them warm when wiping them down. Do so in a warm room and dry them with a towel afterward. I'd recommend asking your vet for advice on when best to bathe them. All the best and enjoy Maya and Maui!

3years, 3months ago