Bathing a New Mom Dog

Looking after a litter of newborn puppies not only involves a watchful eye on the little ones, but also on the nursing mama. The combination of gestation, giving birth and nursing can be physically taxing on the mother dog, and it's crucial not to rush back into things, including bathing.

  1. Take Things Slowly

    • Don't jump into bathing the new mama immediately after she has her puppies. The focus at this crucial time should be on making sure the mother is as relaxed as possible. Allow her plenty of time to focus on the important job in front of her: caring for her babies. She might experience considerable genital discharge post-parturition -- think a viscous green liquid that has a fibrous texture. This discharge usually lasts for a minimum of two to three weeks. It can create a mess on the bitch's fur and sleeping areas, but once it starts letting up, a bath not only can give her a thorough cleansing, it can also extract pesky loose hairs and eliminate any disagreeable smells. You can bathe the mother dog once the discharge is gone, or at least once it is infrequent.

    Shampoo

    • Always pay attention to what kind of shampoo you use to bathe your dog, whether she is lactating or not. Grooming products designed for humans are never appropriate, as they are often far too aggressive on canine fur and skin. Opt for a gentle doggie formula that is completely devoid of any harsh chemicals, fragrances and oils. Understand that a mother dog's puppies spend significant time snuggled up to her, both when they're feeding and sleeping. Don't risk putting them into contact with anything potentially hazardous. Seek out a tearless puppy shampoo that specifically notes its suitability toward both puppies and lactating mothers. If you have any questions regarding specific brands, consult your veterinarian before you proceed.

    Bathing and Drying

    • Use warm H20 to bathe the mother dog, and be sure to get all remnants of the shampoo out when you're done. Once her bath is over, use a towel to dry off her body, and put time into it. Do not be slapdash with getting the mother dog dry as can be, as the last thing you want is to get her puppies cold and damp. Chilling of young puppies is a major danger, so take the matter seriously. While you and mom are away from the puppies, make sure that their sleeping area is equipped with a heating pad on the "low" setting. Also make sure that the pups have plenty of room to get away from the warmth if necessary. Heating pads are beneficial even when the mother dog is right next to her pups, unless their living environment is 85 degrees or higher.

    Bathing Puppies

    • Just as with their mother, it is important to not bathe wee puppies until some time has passed. If you approach the situation cautiously and diligently, you can usually bathe puppies when they're several weeks in age. Starting puppies on bathing at a young age can actually be beneficial in helping the cuties adapt easily to the concept of water. As with the mother, only use a mild dog shampoo that is labeled as being puppy-safe.