Welcoming a new puppy into the family can be an incredibly exciting and rewarding experience. Readers who are new to training and caring for young pups may find that it can also be stressful, especially when it comes to making decisions about the animals’ health and hygiene. Read on to find out when to begin looking into Puppy Bathing in 78258 for help deciding whether it’s time to introduce a new pup to basic grooming procedures.
Wait Until After Weaning
Mother dogs usually begin weaning their puppies at around two months of age. Until the pups are no longer being fed by their mothers, it’s important to avoid bathing them as it could change their scents and cause the mother animals to reject the puppies. Deciding to introduce a young dog to puppy bathing in 78258 too early could wind up leaving readers with extra care needs such as feeding and protection on their plates.
Consider Vaccination Schedules
It is not uncommon for puppies to experience a good deal of stress during their first baths, which can compromise their immune systems. That’s why it’s important not to give puppies baths immediately before or after receiving a vaccine. Most veterinarians recommend waiting for at least one to two weeks after a vaccine has been administered, which often means waiting until after their eight-week multi purpose vaccines.
Emergency Baths
Puppies who have already lost their mothers, have been brought to shelters at a young age, or are suffering from fleas or other parasites, may need to be bathed earlier. It’s important to ensure this early bathing does not negatively impact their health by taking precautions to promote a stress-free environment. Be sure the air temperature is warm to avoid thermal shock, and don’t overfill the bath or bucket, as this can induce a sense of suffocation.
Know When to Enlist Help
Although some pet owners find that giving puppies their first baths themselves is a rewarding experience, others choose to take their new furry friends to groomers for professional bathing. Either of these solutions is fine for healthy puppies provided dog owners know what they are doing. However, those who are concerned that their pups may not be in the best health should always take them to professional groomers like those at iPaw Pet Salon instead of providing home bathing and grooming.
