Dog Grooming

Good dog grooming practices are essential for maintaining the health, happiness and well-being of your dog. How much grooming your pet requires will depend on the dog breed you have. All dogs need grooming, but some require more time and care than others. Long-haired breeds and wire-haired breeds require more time and attention when grooming their coats. But there’s more to grooming a dog than just taking care of his coat.

A dog brush and shampoo.

Grooming A Dog’s Coat

First, make sure that your dog’s coat is clean. You’ll be amazed at how much dirt and dust your dog’s coat holds. Even indoor dogs need a good scrubbing every now and then. Professional dog groomers and veterinarians recommend bathing most dogs no more than four times a year. Canine skin dries out very easily. Once the skin dries, your dog will be very itchy and will scratch often. Flakes of dead skin will fly everywhere. Your dog will take on an unpleasant odor from the lack of oil in its skin.

Once your dog is clean, you want to brush the coat. Long-haired breeds should have their coats brushed three or four times a week. Frequent brushing helps with shedding issues and prevents unsightly mats and tangles. A double-coated dog should have dead hair combed several times a week to help with shedding. Even short-haired dog coats should be brushed once or twice a week to aid shedding and keep the coat shiny and healthy. Be sure you use the proper brush for your dog's coat. Different types of hair require different brushes. Wired and long-haired breeds require specific grooming tools.

Cleaning Dog Teeth

Plaque grows on your dog's teeth and must be removed. Studies show that your dog can live a longer life if he has clean and healthy teeth. Many tools exist for helping you keep your dog's teeth clean. The simplest is the toothbrush. You can buy a special dog toothbrush or use a regular human one. Don’t use human toothpaste on your dog though. Several manufacturers make flavored toothpaste specially formulated for dogs.

Dog Grooming Includes Ear Cleaning

All dogs should have their ears examined as part of a weekly dog grooming routine. Dogs can get painful ear infections. If untreated, these infections can lead to deafness. Floppy eared dogs, like beagles and cocker spaniels, are more prone to ear infections because moisture and dirt is easily trapped in their ear canals. Heat produced by the ear flap hanging over the ear canal creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Check your dog's ears for wax, dirt and debris. Also, be aware of pungent smells coming from your dog's ears. These smells are often the sign of an ear infection. If you notice any dirt, wax or debris, clean your dog's ears with ear cleaning solution. You can get this solution from your vet or from a local pet store.

Complete Dog Grooming Means Trimming Toenails

You’d be surprised at how quickly your dog's toenails grow. Your dog's nails require weekly or bi-weekly trimming. It is important to keep them trimmed because rough toenails can catch on carpet and other items in your house and rip out. Ripped toenails bleed profusely causing great pain for your dog. Unclipped toenails also tend to curl under, digging into your dog's paw pads.

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