Keep your dog looking and feeling good, and strong
Your rugged, active pup might not enjoy bath time as much as they enjoy diving through muddy puddles and leaping through bushes. But pet grooming shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s an essential part of keeping your dog’s fur and paws healthy and strong. We know not every dog enjoys a visit to the salon, so we’ve put together a list of our top dog grooming tips to help keep your canine’s tail wagging:
Brush your dog’s coat regularly
All dogs should be brushed regularly, regardless of their coat type. This helps prevent matting, which could irritate your dog’s skin and lead to an infection. Long-haired dogs will need more frequent brushing for this reason. Regularly brushing your short-haired pup will help remove dander and excess oil, extending the time between baths a bit.
Check their skin while your brush
Grooming your dog gives you a chance to inspect their skin for any allergic reactions, bites, rashes, or other skin issues that could be making your dog uncomfortable or causing them pain. Keep an eye out for any ticks, fleas, or other parasites that could make your dog sick and use with a spot-on treatment if needed.
How often should you bath your canine companion?
Most dogs can go a few months between baths. Bathing your pup too often could strip the skin of its natural oils and lead to skin infections. If your dog is a little smelly but hasn’t rolled in anything recently, chat to your vet as there could be an underlying health issue.
To shampoo or not to shampoo?
Dog’s skin has a different pH to humans, so even something like a baby shampoo could be too harsh for your pup and irritate their skin. Rather use a shampoo that’s soap-free and specifically formulated for your dog.
Keep those paw pads clean, and strong
Your pup might not like having their paws handled, but it’s a good idea to check the fur between their paws often. The area between their paws can become matted or infected, causing some discomfort. When checking your dog’s pads and paws, remove any matted fur and use scissors to trim where needed. Make sure your dog’s paw pads look healthy and that there are no sores or issues. Check with your vet if you think there’s something to be concerned about.
Clip those nails
Once you’re done checking the fur around their paws and their pads, you might want to clip their nails. Use a guillotine-style clipper that’s been designed especially for dog nail grooming. Only trim the hook of the nail and avoid trimming into the quick (the live portion of the nail). Don’t forget to trim your pup’s dewclaws as they could pinch the skin if left to grow too long.
Check your canine companion’s ears
When bathing your pup, try not to get the inside of their ears wet, as this could lead to infections. Wash the outside of the ear using dog shampoo and an interior wax solution for the inside. Check your pup’s ears for any signs of infections (strange smells, swelling, discoloration).
Strong dogs need healthy teeth
Keeping your dog’s teeth clean keeps them healthy. Regular brushing helps remove any plaque build-up that could cause issues if left for too long. If your pup’s breath is smellier than usual, or if you notice any tooth decay, take your dog to the vet for a dental check-up.
Praising your dog often and giving them rewards while you groom them will help them feel less stressed and enjoy the process a little more. Grooming your dog will not only keep them healthy and ready to take on their next adventure, but it’ll keep them happy too.