Grooming For Dogs

Pets & Animals Blog

Introduction 

Grooming your dog is an important part of owning and caring for a pet. If you're new to the idea, you may think grooming is not needed, and it's true that some breeds do fine without any significant clean-up work. However, most dogs will benefit from at least some level of grooming, and certain breeds require special attention to hygiene. Your pet will probably not enjoy being groomed, but it will live a longer, healthier life because of it and be happier in the long run. Discomfort can be eased and in some cases, diseases can be avoided by keeping your dog's coat, skin, and body well-maintained.  

Breeds That Need Grooming

Any type of dog will benefit from basic grooming like bathing, but there are breeds of dog that require significantly more grooming than others. Maltese, collies, bearded collies, afghan hounds, several breeds of sheepdog, Yorkshire terriers, and Shih Tzu are all long-haired breeds that need to keep orderly, healthy fur coats. Types that were bred in cold countries, such as Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies, may need their fur trimmed regularly to avoid overheating in warmer climates. Other breeds that benefit a lot from grooming include golden retrievers, St. Bernards, poodles, Pomeranians, and various small to medium sized terriers.   

Basic Grooming

At its core, grooming can be thought of as basic cleanliness. Dogs should be washed every so often, depending on how long it spends outdoors, how much dirt its fur captures, and how much odor it gives off. Some people bathe their dogs every week while others only do it once a month or even just a two or three times a year. Depending on the type of fur your dog has, brushing can be another part of basic cleanliness. It can loosen clumps of fur that have fallen out and gotten tangled and may help reduce the amount of indoor shedding. Some dogs even enjoy being brushed. 

Further Grooming  

Beyond the basics, further grooming may be desired and may improve the dog's quality of life. If your dog's "claws" or toenails become too long, they can be uncomfortable for the dog and make a lot of noise on non-carpeted floors. Careful trimming of the nails can help. Be sure not to cut back too far and hit the nerve endings in the claw. When you bathe your dog, remember to clean its ears (outside only), and check them for scratches or bug bites. Mucus-like discharge from the eyes can be carefully removed with a water-moistened cotton ball. Cutting back or clipping the fur can also be part of the grooming process. Finally, try cleaning the dog's teeth every month or so with the paste and brush appropriate for dogs. 

For more information on grooming your pets, contact a company like Kayla's Posh Pets Grooming & Boutique. 

18 May 2017