Dog grooming is very important for its physical and mental health. Proper grooming for your dog does not only have aesthetic purposes but also adds to your pet’s holistic growth physical and psychological. Since dog hair can interlace due to dirt and grime in the coat forming mats and tangles, they would need to be groomed to keep proper hygiene. Plus grooming generates more bonding time with your pet, creating a stronger relationship.
Brushing doesn t only remove mats, it also takes away dead hair, thus eliminating animal odor. Tangles can also be very painful for your dog that may lead to skin inflammation. Grooming during shedding encourages growth of new coat, so brush especially after physical exercise. Nails should be trimmed every month, especially if your dog has a hard time walking. Dental hygiene is maintained by using dog toothpaste and toothbrush with soft bristles twice a week. A damp cotton cloth is used to remove mucus from your dog s eyes. While a coarse rug is appropriate in cleaning your pet s face.
Here are some tips for proper grooming practices:
- Your new puppy should be introduced to a brush at about three weeks old. For older ones, dogs are never too young or too old to be taught about grooming. The procedure is the same for any age.
- Brush your dog regularly. Daily is best. Be sure to also brush against hair growth direction to check for fleas and ticks.
- If your dog hates being brushed it sometimes helps to brush after play time. Start by brushing in the hair growth direction. When you are finished, reward your dog with a treat. Each day brush your dog a little longer. And if you are lucky, your dog may even begin to like being brushed.
- Use a brush with soft bristles to introduce a daily brushing routine of ten minutes to start and gradually increasing depending on coat length.
- For a dog who resists brushing, you can try treats and plenty of praise to train it in grooming exercises.
- The right tools. For short-haired dogs, most groomers recommend stainless-steel combs because they slide through coats very easily.
- Groom short-haired dogs once or twice a week with a grooming comb.
- For medium to long haired dogs start with a slicker brush and then follow with a stainless steel comb.
- Long-haired coats need bristle or wire brushes and pet combs with rounded teeth.
- In hot months consider investing in a flea comb to make sure your dog has not become a flea hotel.
- Don't leave your dog in a car in hot weather, even if the windows are open.
- To make your dog's coat really shine, finish with a soft bristle brush.
- To cut the nails, take your dog's paw gently in your hands. Shorten nails till just behind the point at which the nail begins to curve downward to avoid injury. Trim the dewclaw too, located on the inside of each front leg just above the paw too, in case your dogs have them.
- Trim nails of the dogs once a month using clippers designed specifically for dogs. A scissor can also be used. Keep a small bottle of blood-clotting powder by your side, in case of an accidental injury.
- To avoid ear infections and permanent hear loss in your dog, check his ears twice per month. The inside skin and the flaps should be pale pink. Long eared dogs have more problems than short eared. Check for parasites, scratches, dirt, etc. For just a routine cleaning you will need some mineral oil and some cotton swabs. It is advised to restrain the dog in some way before you begin. Start by dropping a few drops of mineral oil in the dog's ears. Take the cotton swab and gently stoke the inside of the ear. Do not enter the ear canal. Do this until the ear is clean.
- Clean the canals and flaps using a cotton ball moistened with little mineral oil or warm water.
- Care of the eyes is essential. When you notice foreign matter in or around your dog's eyes, take a soft cloth and wipe from the outer corner towards the inner corner.
- Just as humans can suffer from periodontal disease, dogs can be equally affected. In fact, statistically, 85 percent of all dogs five years and older are affected by this disease. Brush the teeth of your dog using pet toothpaste at least twice a week. The small toothbrush with soft bristles is best for it.
- Never use human toothpaste or baking as they can upset the dog’s stomach if swallowed. Instead, look for special toothpaste formulated for dogs. This product has special flavoring and less foaming action. Although there are toothbrushes on the market specifically for dogs, a standard electric toothbrush works great for canines. Use a brush with soft bristles, and one that is not too noisy.
It is advised that if anything seems amiss while grooming, you should always have it checked out by a veterinarian.
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