How to Properly Groom Your Dog
Grooming your dog is one of your responsibilities as a pet owner. It is essential that you constantly check their health and well-being to protect them from diseases and infections. Pet grooming is not only to make your dog look good but to maintain being hygienic and healthy all the time. Dogs feel great when they receive enough attention and affection.
You have an option to take your dog to a professional groomer as they have complete equipment to do the proper grooming. But pet owners don’t prefer grooming parlors because some groomers are careless, so they choose to groom their pets at home. If you do it yourself, you need to have the proper equipment and know the simple procedures to do it. Here are the usual measures to properly groom your dog.
Bath and Brush
Before you start to bathe your dog:
- Gather all the materials you need like a brush, shampoo that is meant for a dog, and an absorbent towel.
- Choose a place where you and your dog will be comfortable to do the bathing.
- Take time to set up the mood before placing your dog because sometimes there are dogs that are not relaxed during bathing.
- Make them at ease by brushing first their coat to eliminate discomfort.
It is important to brush your dog’s coat, especially if they have long hair, to remove the tangles and mats. Identify the right brush for your dog. There are different types of brushes that serve different functions. Like for example, this brush for poodles found in an online review has metal bristles that work perfectly for curly coats and is very popular and recommended by many fur parents out there. After preparing all the things you need, ensure to check the water temperature.
It should be warm enough to bathe your dog comfortably. When shampooing, avoid sensitive areas like eyes to prevent irritation and rinse your dog correctly to prevent them from having ticks.
Cut and Shave Their Hair
Trimming your dog’s hair is essential to keep them neat and clean. If you’re doing the grooming by yourself, ensure that you have the proper materials for cutting. Your equipment should be sharp to do the task efficiently. Decide if you’re going to use clippers or scissors. Think about your preference for what your dog should look like. Clippers are ideal for dogs with short hair or if you’re planning for an extreme makeover. Using clippers is not suitable for dogs with long hair, especially if you will only do trimming.
That is why it is better to use scissors in this case. Remove all the distractions around to keep your dog comfortable during the procedure. As much as possible, choose equipment that is not too loud to keep them at ease. Work slowly and ensure to pay attention to the right direction of the hair. Avoid sensitive areas such as facial features, nipples, and genitalia.
Cutting Nails
Do not forget that cutting nails is also part of your dog’s grooming. It is essential to frequently trim their nails to keep it from curling that can lead to joint pain or posture problems. When the nails are too long, it limits your dog’s movement. In this case, you need nail clippers, scissors, or a grinder. Before you start cutting, set your dog’s mood to eliminate discomfort. Take it slow and be extra careful while cutting as dog nails have a lot of blood supply.
You can use a flashlight to help you see the perfect cutting range. When finished, trim the hair between the paws to make it clean. The recommended period of trimming your dog’s nails is every two weeks.
Teeth Brushing
Like in humans, brushing teeth is also an essential care to do with your dogs. You should set up your brushing routine to prevent any tooth infection. Brush your dog’s teeth when they are calm and composed. Brushing daily is recommended but you can also do it three days a week. Without brushing the teeth, plaque can develop, getting your dog at risk for gum disease, terrible breath, and tooth decay. Ensure to use a toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs. The bristles are specifically angled and softer.
Finger brushes can function well for small dogs while longer handles provide you a better range for larger dogs. Never utilize human toothpaste as it contains elements that may affect your dog’s stomach. Do it in a place where your dog is at ease. It is better to kneel or sit in front or to the side of your dog when brushing their teeth. Monitor your dog’s anxiety level. If they appear to be disturbed, stop, and attempt again later. You can also give them dental treats that are good for their teeth and breath.
Cleaning of Ears and Eyes
Monitoring your dog’s ears is something you should be doing consistently. You can start to evaluate their condition by gently rubbing the ears. Make sure to be familiar with how a clean ear looks and smell because over-cleaning the ears can also lead to irritation and infection. A dog’s clean ear looks pink and odorless. If you notice a change or if it smells stinky that is the time to cleanse their ears. The basic supplies you need are cotton balls, ear cleaning formula for dogs, and a towel. Try not to utilize cotton-tipped swabs or anything with a sharp tip as these tools can push dirt deeper into the ears, triggering infections, which can lead to disturbance to the internal parts of the ear itself.
It is also common for other dogs especially light-colored breeds to have brown tear stains in the lower corners of their eyes. Tear stains are regularly caused by the structure of their eyes, which makes it hard for tears to deplete normally. Breeds like Chihuahuas are most prone to this problem, as well as breeds with tons of hair surrounding the eyes. You should wipe around your dog’s eyes twice a day. To clean it, flush each eye a few times using an appropriately formulated eyewash for dogs to clear out any debris. Frequently flushing your dog’s eyes prevents irritation and the risk of any infection.
Your dog’s grooming schedule depends on their breed and lifestyle. It plays an essential role in keeping your pet healthy and happy. It is vital to give your dog a treat or reward after the grooming to reduce the stress. Ensure to create a grooming routine to understand and fulfill the needs to keep them at their best.
