Regular grooming is important for dogs of all breeds – it helps keep their coat shiny and smooth, and gives you a chance to check for bacteria and skin problems and improve their hygiene. Additionally, grooming is the only bond between you and your pet.
Even slightly matted and poorly groomed dogs need cleaning and trimming and can benefit from regular brushing. Dogs with long hair should be trimmed. Whether you want to make an appointment with a professional groomer or not, especially when it comes to trimming and trimming your dog’s coat, these seven tips will help you establish a routine at home and with your dog.
Regularly brush your dog’s coat:
Regardless of breed, regular brushing will help keep your dog’s coat shiny and glossy. The amount of brushing per week depends on your dog’s coat length and texture. Longhaired breeds like golden retrievers and collies will need more frequent brushing (at least once a week, if not every other day), while shorthaired breeds like greyhounds or Labradors may need a good brushing only every other week. For longhaired dogs, badly matted hair can cause pain. Dogs will lick or bite themselves at the source of irritation, which may result in skin infections.
Foreign bodies like grass seeds can hide inside a matted coat and can even burrow into the skin to cause an abscess. Matted hair may also make it harder to locate deadly paralysis ticks. Regularly brushing your longhaired dog prevents matting from becoming a problem. Shorthaired dogs benefit from brushing, too. Brushing removes loose hair, dirt and dander from your dog’s coat, extending the time between baths.
Trim your dog’s hair – but use caution:
Many dog owners like to take their dogs to the groomer to get their dogs’ hair trimmed. That said, if you’re careful, you can trim hair from your dog’s eyes or bed between professional grooming sessions. Trimming the hair around your dog’s eyes will prevent the hair from covering their eyes, causing them to rub and damage their eyes. Always wait until your dog is calm, preferably asleep. Do it slowly and calmly, being very careful as the scissor blades get close to the skin. Make sure your dog is ready when you’re done.
Trimming the hair inside the ears can improve airflow and prevent ear infections. However, it’s best done by an experienced esthetician or your doctor’s office. Picking your ears is not something you do at home. If you’re concerned about the amount of hair growth on your dog’s ears, it’s best to talk to your veterinarian. Remember: It is easy to accidentally cut your pet with scissors or scissors. Be careful when grooming, and if you are afraid and don’t want to trim your dog’s hair, you should consult a professional groomer.
Check your dog’s skin as you groom:
Dermatitis is common in dogs, who may scratch, chew, or lick their skin. In addition to being miserable for your pet, parasites like fleas, ticks, lice, and mites can also spread diseases or parasites like worms. Always check your dog’s skin every time you groom her. Start by stroking your dog’s fur with your fingers to feel for any unusual discharge from his skin. You can also examine further by dissecting the fur to look for signs of sores, redness, rashes, baldness, and parasitic infestations. Prevention is better than cure.
Regularly check your dog’s ears:
While grooming your dog, remember to take a closer look at its ears. Ear infections can be painful, so if you notice any of the following changes or behaviours, take your dog to your vet for a check-up:
- The inside of the ears is inflamed or moist
- The ears smell odd (often, the smell of a dog ear infection is sweet)
- Your dog shakes its head or scratches at its ears
- The ears contain more or a different kind of discharge than usual (a little wax is normal)
- Whines or yelps when you examine the dog’s ears
When bathing your dog, keep these tips in mind:
Dogs’ skin has a different pH than humans, so don’t use baby shampoo or human shampoo. Choose soap-free dog shampoo which is gentle on the skin. Rinse your dog with warm water until completely wet, then apply the shampoo to the coat. Avoid your dog’s eyes, mouth, and inside of ears. Wash off the shampoo with warm water, then shake your dog to dry outside in the air (if the weather is warm). In winter, wash gently with a towel or use a very cold setting. Great time together.