Grooming your dog is just as important to his health as proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinarian visits. By regularly grooming your dog, not only will your dog look and smell clean but you will reduce the risk of illnesses and infections. You can easily groom your dog right at home. You will only need a few supplies that are readily available at any local pet store.
All dogs love to be brushed, however you have to introduce them to brushing properly. If you do not take your time the first time you brush your dog, you will scare your dog and he will also be afraid of brushing. Brushing is a great way to bond with your dog, so start a brushing routine from day one. Your dog’s brushing needs depend on what kind of hair your dog has. If your dog has short or medium length hair, your dog only needs to be brushed once a week. If your dog has long hair, consider brushing daily to prevent tangles and matted hair. In addition to keeping hair from getting tangled and matted, brushing stimulates the coat as well as keeps it healthy and shiny. Brushing will also keep shedding under control by removing hair off the dog before it has a chance to get all over you and your furniture. There are brushes available for each dog hair type. You can also use rakes, and slicker brushes for easy tangle removal. Shedding tools are also available to remove excess hair from dogs with an undercoat.
Bathing is a must for any dog. If you start bathing your dog at a young age, it will make bath time more tolerable for your dog. Do not bath your dog more than once a month as it will dry out their skin. Only use shampoos especially made for dogs. Human shampoos are not good for their skin and will dry it out. Do not use flea shampoo unless your dog has fleas. A lot of people use flea shampoo as prevention; it is just a waste and does more damage than good. Flea shampoo will dry out your dog’s skin. Flea shampoo does not prevent fleas; it only kills fleas once your dog has acquired them. Make sure you always rinse all of the shampoo out of your dog’s coat. Leaving any shampoo behind will irritate your dog’s skin. Make sure to cover your dog’s eyes so you do not get shampoo in their eyes.
You can purchase a hair grooming kit, and cut your dog’s hair. Directions on how to properly groom every dog breed are included in every dog grooming kit. Your dog should only require a “haircut” once a month to once every other month. Some dog breeds like the pit bull never need a “haircut.”
Your dog’s ears must be cleaned on a regular basis. Yeast and bacteria will breed in your dog’s ears causing infections if you do not clean them. It is recommended that you clean your dog’s ears once every two weeks minimum. It is best to buy ear cleaner at your local pet store.
If your dog’s nails are not kept trimmed it will be extremely uncomfortable, if not painful for your dog. When cutting your dog’s nails be very careful. Keep some quicker stopper handy. Quick stopper will stop the bleeding if you cut too short. If you are nervous or if your dog will not sit still, it is best to have a professional groomer or veterinary trim your dogs nails.
Keeping your dog will groomed will make them feel better and keep them healthier. If you keep your dog well groomed you will not have to worry about ear and skin infections. Grooming is something that you can do yourself. If you groom your dog yourself you will save money and get to spend quality time with your dog. Your dog can never have enough quality time with you. Grooming should be starting when your dog is a puppy, and be carried out his entire life. A groomed dog is a happy dog!