Think of dog grooming not as a chore, but as a great opportunity to spend quality time with your pet, pamper it for being a loyal companion and check for early warning signs of health problems.

Dog grooming routines should include brushing both your dog’s hair and teeth, bathing it and clipping its nails and ears.

Brushing a dog's coat is a key element of good dog grooming. Brushing helps remove dead hair and anything which might have attached itself to the fur. It also distributes the dog's natural oils throughout the coat and stimulates blood circulation.

Dog grooming brushes and combs should bespecific to your dog's coat. An Afghan hound will need wire brushes and mat combs to gently detangle its long, silky hair. A double-coated German shepherd, on the other hand, might benefit from a shedding blade capable of pulling out its thick undercoat of fur. A poodle's curly hair requires not only combing but regular clipping, as well.

Try to brush your dog's coat daily. At bare minimum, brush it at least once a week. You also can apply basic dog massage techniques after the brushing to make this dog grooming necessity a relaxing and rewarding experience for you pooch.

Brushing is a good time to check for mites or fleas, which may have burrowed into your dog's coat. (A good explanation of how to remove fleas and ticks is offered by Norma Bennett Woolf at http://www.canismajor.com/dog/groom1.html.)

Do not forget to inspect your dog's toes and footpads to make sure no small stones or burrs are trapped in-between.

If a dog’s nails are starting to curl, they should be trimmed to the point just before they begin curling. If your dog has clear nails, you will be able to see how far you can trim before reaching the quick, or blood vessel, inside the nail. If the nails are dark, it is more difficult to know where to clip. If this is the case, you may want to take your pet to a dog grooming professional or veterinarian for a pedicure.

Bathing is an important element of effective dog grooming. Bathing removes dirt and "dog stink" which builds up in the hair. Luckily, frequent bathing is not necessary; once a month or every two months is usually adequate. More frequent baths can be counter-productive to good dog grooming because they strip natural oils and can lead to dry, flaky skin.

Brush before bathing to remove loose hair, and always use shampoos formulated for dogs. (Human shampoos are too drying.). A damp washcloth can be used to clean up the face, while a spray hose will do the job of wetting down the body and rinsing out the shampoo. Dogs do not like the shock of an ice-cold shower anymore than humans do, so keep the water temperature warm to tepid.

Regular ear inspection and cleaning also is good dog grooming practice, especially for "flop-ear" dogs. Dirt and parasites can be trapped under the outer ear flap and work their way to the inner ear. That usually results in an infection. If your dog has an ear infection, the inside of the ear becomes red, looks dirty and smells yeasty, and your poor pup will be shaking its head and trying to scratch the ear.

A cotton ball moistened with warm water or mineral oil can swab down the inside of the ear to the point where the ear canal begins. Veterinarians and pet stores also offer special ear cleaning solutions. Never try to "poke down" into the ear canal for cleaning. If the canal looks brown or black, it is probably a sign of infection requiring medical treatment.

Dental hygiene is as important to good dog grooming practices as it is to humans. Dogs also develop cavities and periodontal disease. Special meat-flavored dog toothpastes and cleaning tools are available for teeth-brushing. Do not worry about rinsing; unlike humans and their toothpastes, it is OK for dogs to swallow theirs!

Thankfully, one thing people do not have to worry about is having clean anal glands; however, this can be important for good dog grooming. Some dogs are prone to getting impacted anal glands. You will know when this happens because your dog will "scoot" or drag its rear across the floor or grass, trying to relieve the irritation. A trip to the veterinarian’s office or dog grooming salon for a quick "expressing" can clear up the problem.

It might seem like a chore at the time, but regular dog grooming will help your dog feel better, stay healthy and look great.

So great, in fact, you might want to visit the spa yourself afterward so Fido doesn't show you up on your next neighborhood stroll.

People who viewed 'Dog Grooming' also found interest in following articles . . .
Category:

• Dog Training

• Home
• Educational Library
• FAQ
• Hospital Listings
• Submit
• Contact