Dried urine or dried poop on the skin or in the fur could cause matting and skin irritation. Keeping your puppy's privates clean can help keep this area free of irritation and dry, itchy skin.
Give Your Puppy a Bath
If you are trying to avoid soap, vinegar and water offer a natural solution to getting rid of urine odor in your puppy's fur. You will want to blot up as much of the urine as possible with a towel or paper towels if the urine in the fur is still wet.
In fact, depending on your dog's lifestyle, you don't have to wash a short-coated dog more than once every four to six months. Instead, you might give them the occasional wipe down with a wet rag or dog-friendly wipe and call it clean!
A daily full bath is more than what most dogs need. So a bath mixed with rinsing or wiping him down is a very good plan. You can tell if his skin is getting too dry if you see seborrhea ("dandruff") or dry skin flakes. If his skin looks healthy – you are probably doing just fine and not over-doing it.
Regular, thorough grooming — addressing all parts of your pet including ears and anal sacks— should be a part of a planned healthcare regime, says Klein. In between grooming appointments, baby wipes can be used to clean the anal area, if it's not too badly soiled.
Always wipe up and away from his other potty areas. If this is fresh poo, you might be able to get it off with one or two wipes. If the poop is older and has dried, it may take a few wipes and additional water or a dog shampoo to get him clean.
If left untreated, this can even develop into something more serious, like anal fistula. In extreme, it might lead to a rupture in the rectum itself. This is why dogs don't have to wipe. You should only wipe your dog's rear end if they have issues with their bum, for example, soreness.
Vinegar. Vinegar is also an amazing natural cleaning option for more serious pet odors. Try using vinegar (diluted with a bit of water) in a spray bottle and spray on carpets or floors. Or use in combination with baking soda on cushions or bedding for an extra powerful, odor-eliminating punch.
You can start bathing your pup when he/she has crossed the age of two months. Prior to that age, the best method to keep your puppy clean and fresh is to use a wet towel dipped in warm water to wipe their body and fur.
Don't punish your puppy for eliminating in the house. If you find a soiled area, just clean it up. Rubbing your puppy's nose in it, taking them to the spot and scolding them or any other punishment will only make them afraid of you or afraid to eliminate in your presence.
Traditional household cleaning products such as vinegar, baking soda, soap, and the like seem to work at first because they eliminate some of the components of your pet's urine. White vinegar in particular is highly alkaline, which means it can act as a deodorizer for spaces marked with dogs' urine.
Conclusion. So the bottom line is this, dogs don't need to wipe themselves because they have a different anatomy than ours. At times, you may have to help your dog wipe his bottom but this is not an everyday occurence and should only be done as needed. A dog can live a perfectly healthy life and never have to wipe.
You should bathe your puppy about no more than once a month unless necessary. Puppies and adult dogs have natural oils in their coat to prevent their fur from getting brittle or damaged and to keep it soft and silky. Bathing your dog too often can strip away those oils.
Overall, no. You should avoid using baby wipes or other human moist hypoallergenic wipes on puppies and dogs. You shouldn't be using them on a daily basis because they aren't the best choice for daily cleaning your dog.
In the dog world, a moderate degree of licking is part of normal grooming behavior. For example, a male or female dog may lick the genital area after urinating as a means of cleaning the area.
The Environmental Protection Agency endorses flushing as a safe way to dispose of dog feces.
Normal doggy smells
But it is unmistakeably doggy. Canines don't sweat from skin pores like humans do, but they do perspire from their paws and hair follicles. They also produce oils that are essential for their skin and hair. Then there are the glands in their ears, which release a lightly yeasty scent.
Medical Reasons Dogs May Stink
Secondary yeast or bacterial infections on the skin or inside the ears remain the most common medical reasons dogs might smell awful. Allergies often begin the process, which leads to scratching and licking that open the door for infections.
Enjoy it while you can, because that distinctive odor will disappear by the time your roly-poly pet is four to six months old.
Dog Wipes vs. Other Wipes {Baby Wipes}
It is important to use pet wipes specifically formulated for dogs. Most wipes such as baby wipes contain an ingredient called Propylene Glycol that could harm your dog (especially if your dog is a licker). Make sure to read the 'wipes label' before using on your dog.
You might notice spotting or bleeding at this time. Just try to keep it out of her fur and wipe the area clean. To keep her private area clean while she's in heat, keep a spray bottle of water on hand for a quick spray and wipe down. Always use a clean cloth or a fresh wet wipe for this wiping process.
Never rub a dog's nose in urine or feces, or punish a dog for an “accident.” This will teach your dog to fear you, and he may hide when he has to “go.” It is not instinctive for dogs to relieve themselves outside; it is only natural for them to not go where they sleep.