THE 4 ESSENTIALS OF DOG GROOMING
Keyword: dog grooming
There is so much responsibility involved in owning a dog and so many breeds to consider. Prospective dog owners often consider how much exercise a dog will need when choosing the breed, but a top priority should also be how much grooming it will need.
Grooming is necessary for the wellbeing of any dog and you could find yourself regularly paying for professional dog grooming services if you don’t choose your dog breed wisely.
Savings can be made however, as you can do much of it yourself with some basic tools. In fact, there are benefits to you doing so as it will build trust between you and your dog.
- Brushing
Brushing their coat not only looks better, it also keeps it clean, reduces the risk of tangles and matting of hair, and helps stimulate blood flow, which keeps your dog’s skin healthy.
Some breeds are non-shedding and their coats need brushing to remove dead hair. Other breeds’ coats matt easily and need brushing regularly.
Longer haired dogs need more regular brushing (daily) than short hair breeds (weekly).
- Bathing
Dogs and baths are not a natural fit. Things can get very messy and bathing your dog is not usually a favorite pastime for an owner. However it is necessary, especially for those occasions when your dog rolls in something you don’t want to take home.
Special dog shampoos and conditioners are available for the task and you shouldn’t seek to save money by substituting products intended for human hair.
You should brush your dog’s coat, particularly long haired dogs, before the dog is washed, as it removes dead hair and makes it easier to clean his coat thoroughly.
- Clipping/trimming hair
Clipping hair is often necessary to keep hair out of a dog’s eyes. It also helps deal with matting of hair and can reduce the risk of fleas and skin infections.
It can be difficult to cut around sensitive areas like their eyes and ears, especially if your dog finds it difficult to stand still. Be patient and use the dog clippers on non-sensitive areas first to let your dog get used to the noise. If your dog still won’t settle, you may prefer to hand this task over to a professional dog grooming service.
- Clipping nails
Care must be taken when trimming nails as you don’t want to cut the quick;over trimming would be painful for your pet and he won’t give you another opportunity to cut his nails again.
Long nails are unhealthy for your pet as they can become ingrown and cause them pain when walking.
Dogs who don’t get to run around a lot will need their nails clipped more often than dogs who do a lot of running around outdoors. If your dog is regularly running on hard surfaces he will only need his nails clipped once a month.
There is no doubt owning a dog is a responsibility, but it is also a joy. You get a friend for life, a constant companion and plaything. Regular grooming is just a small price to pay for the unconditional love you get in return.