When people have a new baby in the family, it is common practice to buy and use products specifically designed for infants when it comes to bath time. Such products are manufactured to be gentle for delicate baby skin. In the pet industry, there are similarly designed goods for puppies.
Because puppies tend to dance, wiggle and squirm during their first baths, it is a comfort to know that puppy shampoos are usually designed to be tearless. This is helpful because all that movement can make it tricky to keep shampoo out of a puppy’s eyes. It is important to note that tearless shampoos are just as the word describes; although they cause less eye irritation, it is still best practice to avoid getting shampoo in the puppy’s eyes if possible. If you suspect any has splashed into the eyes, rinse with clear, cool water.
In addition to being tearless, puppy shampoo usually has low or no scent because strong perfumes can irritate delicate skin. Some shampoos in this class are lightly scented with fragrances that people recognize as smelling like human baby products; for example, powder scents are common in puppy shampoos.
Because most young puppies are not out in the world getting as grimy as adult dogs, and their brand-new skin is not producing as much sebum and dander as adult dogs do, gentler surfactants are generally used in puppy formulations. Surfactants are the ingredients in shampoos that cause lather to appear when mixed with water and applied to the dog. It is the surfactants that remove dirt and grease. By using milder (often sulfate-free) surfactants, shampoos designed for puppies offer a gentler cleansing solution on delicate skin.
Shampoos designed for adult dogs often contain dyes or color-enhancing ingredients. Because those ingredients might cause skin irritation when used on tender puppy skin, they are typically left out of formulas designed for young dogs.
As with washing any pet, make sure to rinse, rinse and rinse some more to make sure every trace of shampoo is flushed from the coat. It is recommended that a light conditioner be used after bathing most pets to replace the natural skin oils that washing the coat removed. Next, rinse thoroughly, then dry the puppy and enjoy some clean, sweet snuggles for a job well done.
When it is time to wash puppies, it is nice to have the option to use products designed with their specific skin and coat care needs in mind.
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
