My Puppy Shivers After a Shower

Puppies are playful and adventurous, and as many pet owners will attest to, love to roll around in substances that they find outside. Of course these smells might not be very appealing to the people in the household and a puppy bath or shower might be in order. Make sure that it is a positive experience that does not leave the puppy shivering from the cold or from anxiety.

  1. Water Temperature

    • Water that is too cold can cause the puppy to shiver during and after a shower or bath. The water should not be cold, but lukewarm. Cold water will cause the puppy's body temperature to lower and cause shivering. Oppositely, hot water can cause the puppy to pant and overheat.

    Air Temperature

    • Keep the the room where the puppy is having its shower at household room temperature. If the puppy is removed from the warm water and placed into cold air, the puppy may begin to shiver from the drastic drop in temperature as its wet hair begins to cool off in the colder air. Wait until the puppy is completely dry before allowing it outside on a chilly day.

    Drying Techniques

    • Dry the puppy's coat as quickly as possible if it's shivering after its shower despite being in a warm room and having been washed with lukewarm water. Squeeze as much excess water out of the coat as possible and then towel dry it. If the puppy continues to shiver, use a blow dryer on a low setting to dry the coat rather than letting it air dry.

    Anxiety-Based Shivering

    • A puppy may find having a shower a stressful experience and this anxiety may result in shivering. Rather than putting the puppy under a shower of water that may sting its eyes and pelt its sensitive skin, try placing it in a bathtub of water that reaches up to its belly and gently massaging the water into the coat until wet. Use a jug to slowly pour water over the puppy to rinse the shampoo and conditioner. Gently pet and reassure the puppy and make the experience pleasant so that it finds the bath enjoyable.