Is your cuddly little puppy losing that adorable puppy scent and getting a little stinky? After all his new experiences and explorations, your puppy is bound to get dirty. For newly born puppies, their mothers ensure they remain clean and groomed by licking them.
Now that your new puppy is your responsibility, the burden of making sure he is clean of all the dirt, muck and poop he has been investigating in his new environment.
Giving your puppy his first bath can be a beautiful and sweet moment, but it is something that as a new pet parent you are likely worried about.
As your puppy starts smelling, you must be wondering if he is old enough to bathe and clean? What steps should you take to make sure that he is not hurt or harmed by his first bath? What products are safe to use so your beloved little puppy smells fresh and clean again?
We will answer these and other questions that you need to know before you bathe your pup. We will help you understand what ingredients you must look for when looking for a safe and great smelling shampoo for your pup. We also give you our recommendations for the best smelling puppy shampoo that you can choose to keep your puppy smelling clean and fresh.
Why Do You Need a Good Puppy Shampoo?
Many people believe that bathing a puppy is not advisable. While that statement has some validity to it, bathing a pup is not particularly dangerous for them, provided you make sure that you do it properly and using products that are safe and do not harm their sensitive skin and eyes.
If your puppy is younger than 8 weeks, then you should definitely not bathe them. His body is not yet ready to self-regulate his body temperature. If you feel your pup is dirty, covered in his food or just smelling foul, you can consider wiping him down with a warm cloth or a damp sponge to give him a quick clean.
Even if your pup is older than 8 weeks, he does not essentially need regular baths. Many people are not known to bathe their puppies at all. But, if your puppy has spent his time exploring the yard or playing in muck and poop, or something equally filthy, then it’s definitely time to clean him up with a quick bath.
Additionally, some dog breeds, like working and hunting breeds, tend to be particularly smelly.
Starting young also makes your puppy consider baths as a non-event. If your puppy’s first few bathing experiences are fun for him, they will not leave him traumatized and running every time you take out the shampoo. He might even look forward to future baths as a good play or massage session.
What Makes a Good Smelling Puppy Shampoo?
So, what should you consider when looking for a good puppy shampoo? Are those tick and flea products in the shampoo safe to use? Should you only focus on tearless shampoos? So many questions, so many choices can leave you wondering where to begin.
The first thing to consider is the use of gentle and mild natural and organic products that maintain the pH balance and the integrity of the natural oils on your pup’s skin and coat. The shampoo should contain mild cleansers and not artificial additives and chemicals that can irritate your pup’s sensitive skin.
Make sure to avoid shampoos containing the following harmful compounds;
- Artificial coloring
- Alcohols
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates
- Formaldehyde
- Cocmide DEA
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone
- Mineral Oils
While your aim is to get a clean and lovely smelling puppy, the puppy shampoo you choose should be mildly scented, containing diluted natural scents that are not overpowering for your little pup’s sensitive nose and respiratory tract.
Some of the natural aromatic oils that are safe for your puppyare;
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
- Chamomile
- Jojoba
- Aloe Vera
- Oatmeal
Puppy eyes are more sensitive than those of adult dogs. For this reason, it is important to ensure that your puppy’s shampoo is tearless. Tearless shampoos contain ingredients that do not burn the eyes in case the shampoo or lather come in contact with your puppy’s eyes.
But some tearless ingredients added to shampoos can be carcinogenic in nature, so make sure you read all the ingredients carefully and pick a shampoo that does not contain any toxic ingredient.
The Best Smelling Puppy Shampoo
Choosing a puppy shampoo isn’t always easy. While there are a number of specific puppy shampoos available, choosing a lovely scented one to manage your puppy’s nasty smell that is safe for your puppy’s sensitive skin and delicate eyes can be challenging.
To make things simpler for you, we have consolidated a list of some of the best smelling puppy shampoos that you can consider your four-legged companion.
Wahl Puppy Gentle Formula Shampoo
Formulated with cornflour and aloe vera, the Wahl puppy gentle formula shampoo gently cleans and deodorizes your pup while protecting his skin. Free of harsh chemicals, the tearless product is safe for your pup, leaving him with a soft, shiny and easy to manage coat, while not damaging his skin or fur.
Its rich lather ensures that your puppy is squeaky clean and smelling wonderful after his first few bathing experiences. If you are looking for a safe, sweet smelling, affordable shampoo for your pup, this is the product for you.
Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo
This pH balanced, tearless, all-natural shampoo with plant-derived, coconut-based cleansing agents is not only an extremely safe and top-rated product for your puppy but is also environmentally friendly. The lack of any parabens and phosphates and the addition of aloe vera and vitamins added to this product soothe your pup’s sensitive skin while maintaining the integrity of its natural oils.
Finally, its natural, mild wild cherry fragrance leaves your puppy with an irresistible long-lasting fresh scent.
PET CARE Sciences Puppy Shampoo
This is a gentle, naturally derived, great smelling shampoo that is safe for the delicate skin and fur of your pup. Containing coconut oil and palm, this aromatic shampoo not only cleans, deodorizes and conditions your pup’s fur and skin but also detangles and moisturizes it to leave with a strong, shiny, and healthy coat.
Free of any parabens, sulfates, phosphates etc., this product’s mild formulation is safe for use on both pups as well as adult dogs with sensitive skin.
To learn how to give your puppy his first ever bath watch the following video.
Grooming is an important part of being a responsible pet parent. Moreover, keeping your puppy clean is rewarding for both of you. It can help you both bond together while your puppy is still young.
When choosing grooming products for the littlest new member of your family, make sure you pick the best, including his shampoo. Choose a great smelling puppy shampoo that is safe and contains natural and organic ingredients and has a mild scent, leaving you with a clean and fresh smelling pup, without any adverse reactions.
In the end, you must make sure that your pup’s first few baths are a fun and enjoyable experience for him.
