Young pups, particularly those in the neonatal stage of life, depend on their mothers for everything from feeding to cleaning. At 2 weeks old, these little guys aren't able to take care of themselves and need the intervention of a caring human in the absence of their mother. Cleaning at this stage in life entails keeping their waste from hurting them and providing stimulation.
Items You'll Need:
• Soft cloth
• Blanket or towel
• Heating pad or hot-water bottle
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Step #1 - Dampen a soft cloth with warm -- not hot -- water. The cloth only needs to be slightly damp, not fully damp.
Step #2 - Rub the puppy gently from head to toe and all around their bodies with your thumb or two fingers under the cloth. This stimulates the puppies and mimics their mother's tongue and grooming style.
Step #3 - Rub the puppy's anal region and the lower side of their abdomen with the cloth in a gentle fashion. Rubbing too hard can cause discomfort or even pain. This helps remove any leftover urine or feces, both of which could cause problems if not cleaned off the pup.
Step #4 - Blow on the puppy's fur to gently to help dry her off and then place her in a warm place. A soft blanket or towel placed over a heating pad or hot water bottle can be the ideal place for a freshly cleaned pup to relax after bathing. Chilling is a major cause of illness and even death in young puppies.
Important: Do not use dog shampoo on puppies this young unless you get special instructions from a veterinarian.
By Jasey Kelly
References
American Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Newborn Puppy Care
2ndChance.info: Bottle Feeding Orphan Puppies
About the Author
With a professional background in gardening, landscapes, pests and natural ecosystems, Jasey Kelly has been sharing her knowledge through writing since 2009 and has served as an expert writer in these fields. Kelly's background also includes childcare, and animal rescue and care.