Dog grooming can keep your pup looking its best, but it's also a vital part of its well-being. Depending on its coat type, different types of grooming should be considered. Even though professional grooming is always a good idea, you’re in luck: You can groom your dog right at home.
Why Dog Grooming is Important
Whether you’re tackling the grooming yourself or seek the assistance of a pro, there are a few things to know about the process. Grooming extends beyond brushing your dog’s coat, after all, and there are several ways to do it. But why, exactly, is dog grooming so important?
It Keeps Them Comfortable
Even though a dog’s coat is pretty tough, it can actually cause discomfort if it isn’t well-kept. Brushing your pup is great, as it feels wonderful for most. For dogs, the process can even feel like a massage! Brushing gets rid of old, dead hair—bringing your pup’s natural oils to its coat’s surface.
It Keeps Infections at Bay
Surprisingly, dogs get ear infections pretty easily. This is because the hair around their ears tends to extend inside—and unclean hair can easily transfer mites, and other ailments, right inside. Long-coated pups face this problem more than short-haired pups.
It Prevents Fleas, Mites and Ticks
One of the biggest reasons to keep your dog’s fur well-groomed is to avoid critters. Mites, fleas and ticks love making dog fur their home, and these pests can be tough to avoid. Fortunately, a good grooming session can spot individual, unwelcome critters—and it’s pretty effective at getting rid of them.
The Golden Rules of Dog Grooming
We might know the biggest reasons for keeping man’s best friend well-groomed, but it’s also important to know how to do the grooming. In general, it's important to groom them every four to six weeks. There are a couple of do’s and don’t of grooming, fortunately, which makes the process much easier. Let’s check them out:
The Do’s
There are a lot of ways to groom a dog, definitely. This said, the most important methods to remember, and avoid, are listed below:
Do trim their nails: Using an electric nail grinder, along with a nail file, is a great way to do this. It makes it easy to trim their nails, bit by bit—avoiding any accidental clips which are too long. Clipping your dog’s nails keeps dirt and grime away—which is important for avoiding infections.
Do go beyond the bathing: Unfortunately, baths aren’t always effective for getting rid of unwanted pests. Mites, fleas and ticks are pretty resilient—so be sure to make bathing only a part of the overall process.
Do clean the ears and teeth: Wet wipes, here, are your best friend. They can clean inside your pup’s ear canals, and there are a lot of pet-friendly wet wipes out there. As for the teeth, some plain gauze, when wrapped around a regular toothbrush, goes a long way. It’s important to use toothpaste specifically made for dogs, of course, as it’s made with pup-friendly materials which are great at washing away grime.
The Don'ts
Don’t forget to root out matted hair: Whether it mostly plays outside or in the house, its coat can become matted pretty easily—and a matted coat, after a while, can tug on their skin. This is a bummer, of course, but it’s easily avoided with weekly grooming.
Don’t forget to pluck the ears: A lot of dogs have hair that grows inside their ears, too, which totally makes a plucking session worthwhile. So don’t forget to check inside your pup’s ear canal—as overgrown hairs, over time, can cause infections.
Don't forget to check for abnormalities: A dog's skin is resilient to infections, but skin problems aren't always avoidable. Be sure to keep an eye out for any skin abnormalities, like skin marks, flaky surfaces or scabs. If you do find any, it's definitely advisable to give your local veterinarian a call.
Professional Grooming Assistance
There are plenty of ways to groom your dog, and having some professional assistance can help greatly. To get the most out of your grooming sessions, give us a call. Animal Care Clinic loves our family of furry friends, and we’re well-equipped to tackle even the toughest grooming sessions. So keep those mites, ticks and fleas at bay—and keep your dog feeling comfortable. With a little help, their coat will stay soft and shiny: We’re here to help.