If you think grooming your dog is all about making them dolled up then you are wrong. Dog grooming goes beyond keeping your dog looking great, it is also about promoting their overall health and well-being. Grooming helps to uplift pet hygiene, prevent your fur babies from any potential health issues, and enhance the bonding between the two of you. 

However, grooming techniques and routines may not be the same for every dog. Grooming style can vary by various factors such as breed, age, lifestyle, and mindset. Some dogs like being groomed or handled, while some dogs may refuse the idea of grooming. So, let’s learn more about dog grooming and how it will make your dog look and feel great. 

Why Grooming Your Dog is Necessary?

Pet hygiene is the number one responsibility of a pet parent. Grooming is one of the essential aspects of pet hygiene that promotes physical health and improves the behavioral and mental aspects. 

Regular bathing and brushing your dog can avoid any mats and tangles. Likewise, it also removes any debris and dirt. Grooming sessions help the pet parents monitor any cuts, wounds, or inflammation to prevent any potential health issues. Likewise, a groomed dog always seems more adorable.

Moreover, grooming promotes pet hygiene and helps detect any discomfort and pain early. Similarly, a grooming session gives you more time to spend with your pet which helps to create a bond of understanding and trust. 

What are Some of the Essential Grooming Routines?

Bathing

Your fur baby requires regular but not frequent bathing. That means you need to bathe your dog at consistent intervals but not too often. If you bathe your dog quite often then, it can wash away the natural oils and make the coat and skin dry and flaky. 

Bathing your dog also depends on the breed type, coat, and mainly activity level. If your dog plays more on the playground or muddy area, then those dogs need more bathing than the dogs that stay at home. 

Likewise, when you decide to bathe your feline companion, you should choose a mild dog-specific shampoo with moisturizer to maintain the pH level of your dog’s skin and prevent any skin irritation. Furthermore, make sure that the water is warm and be careful that it doesn’t get into their ears while bathing. If water enters their ears, it may cause otitis. 

You can start bathing your dog by wetting the top of the coat. Your dogs can stand up when they feel uncomfortable. Do not react negatively about this, and make your dog feel secure and calm. You can apply the shampoo and gently scrub the coat to form a lather. If your dog has long hair, it is better to stretch the hair than rubbing as it can create knots. Lastly, rinse your dog and dry them thoroughly with the use of a towel and dryer. 

nail clipping 6926857 1280 Essential Grooming Dogs Tips to Keep Them Looking and Feeling Great

Nails

Another imperative routine of dog grooming is maintaining the dog’s claws. When claws or nails are overgrown, then it can cause discomfort, injury, and even mobility issues in dogs. Likewise, dog’s nails can grow so long that they burrow into the skin, leading to potential pain and potential infection. When you hear the nails clicking on the floor or when your dogs start to walk in an awkward position, it can be considered a sign for trimming your dog’s nails. Or, if you see your dog’s nail approaching the end of the paw pad, it’s time to cut their nails. 

You can trim the dog’s nail at home with the right tool and the correct technique. If your dog is small or medium size, you can choose clippers with a guard. Likewise, if your dog is large, then you can select guillotine-style nail clippers. If you are not comfortable using nail clippers, then you can choose nail grinders too. 

It can be confusing to decide how far the nail should be cut. You can observe the dog’s nail in the light, where you will see a line of pink coloration named quick. This line is your cutting limit. Another thing you have to consider is cutting the nails straight or with a slight angle that follows the natural shape of the nail. 

Make sure to be quick while cutting the dog’s nail, as taking too long can make them nervous, and they will try to escape. If you cut beyond the quick, then it will start to bleed. You can use styrene powder or silver nitrate to stop bleeding. If your dogs feel uncomfortable while handling or become aggressive while clipping their nails, you can take them to a vet or professional groomer. 

Dental Care

As a pet parent, you have to be responsible for maintaining your dog’s dental hygiene. Brushing your dog’s teeth on a regular basis will help to maintain good oral health and prevent any periodontal disease, dental plaque, and awful breath. 

While brushing your furry babies’ teeth, make sure to observe their gums, and if you see any blood or growth in their gums, then you can contact your veterinarian. For a good brushing session, it is important to have good products and tools. 

Do not use human toothpaste, as it can be toxic for your dogs. There are various flavors of dog toothpaste in the market you can choose from for brushing your pooch’s teeth. Likewise, you can buy a brush depending on the size of your dog’s teeth. Similarly, you can opt for finger brushes, which you can put on your finger and get a good abrasion on their teeth. 

When getting started with brushing your dog’s teeth, you can make them try toothpaste to know if they like the flavor or not. Then, you can rub the side of their mouth nice and gently. After this, you can lift up their lips and try brushing their teeth, starting with the side, then the upper ones, and then going up from the front and to the side, make sure you do not yank their mouth. Brushing for good 1-2 minutes every day is totally okay. You have to clean your hands thoroughly after touching your dog’s mouth. 

Another way of keeping your dog’s teeth clean without brushing them is by giving them dental treats. If your dog is putting up a fight during brushing sessions, you can consult your veg as they may recommend other methods. 

Ears

Cleaning the ear is another key part of the dog grooming routine. Dogs are vulnerable to eat infections so a routine cleaning is always recommended. If your dogs constantly scratch their ears, it can be due to bacteria or yeast. 

Constant scratching can cause lesions and open wounds that require immediate treatment. If left untreated, these wounds can escalate and cause hearing problems in dogs. Likewise, if you notice any ear swelling, discharge, or a bad odor, you need to immediately book a vet appointment. 

To clean your dog’s ear, first, you will need to create a calm environment to make them feel secure. You can hold the ear flap straight up and clean the ear opening with moistened cotton or gauze with a finger to wipe out the ear canal.

Coat Maintenance

Coat maintenance is an essential part of dog grooming. Brushing your dog’s hair or fur will keep them healthy, shiny, and free from tangles. Likewise, it will promote blood circulation and distribute natural oils. Regular brushing of your dog’s fur also helps to remove debris, and loose hair and reduce excessive shedding. 

However, a good brushing session is only successful when you have the right kind of brush based on the texture and length of the coat. For instance, you will need bristle brushes to brush short and medium coats, while you will require de-shedding tools for heavy shedders. 

Read More: Caring for Senior Dogs: Top Tips for Their Golden Years

Who are Groomers, and What do they do?

Professional groomers are the trained individuals who are responsible for maintaining the overall hygiene of the dog, such as bathing, trimming the fur, haircuts, de-shedding, etc.

For instance, you may not know the techniques of dog haircuts or trimmings. So professional groomers will cut, trim, and style the dog’s hair as per the owner’s requirements or breed-standard style.

Grooming Tips For Safe Pet Hygiene

  • Do not use any products that are made for humans as they can be toxic for dogs. Only use dog-specified products.
  • When you notice any open wounds, swelling, or irregularities, consult your veterinarian immediately.
  • Use a happy tone to calm your dogs. If they start to put up a fight or get aggressive stop the grooming sessions.
  • Do not overdo any grooming routine.
  • Make sure to reward your dogs during or after the completion of a grooming session.

Conclusion

Dog grooming is not as easy as it seems. It demands a consistent routine and patience of pet owners to thoroughly make their furry friend adaptable to the grooming session. With the right tools and techniques, dog grooming can be easy for both you and your dog. 

However, this is just general guidance to shape the grooming session. Professional help is always recommended if you feel at a loss. If you think this article is helpful, stay tuned with Littlefurr for more valuable content. 

FAQs

  1. How can I prevent matting?

To prevent matting, you can try brushing your dog’s coat regularly.

  1. What can I expect if I take my dog to a professional groomer?

When you take your dog to a professional groomer you can expect a thorough grooming session that includes consultation, pre-examination, and grooming routine that is required such as bathing, trimming hair, clipping nails, etc.

  1. Can I use cold water to bathe my dog?

It is always recommended to use warm water to bathe your dog.

  1. What can I do if I notice tangles on my dog’s coat?

It is necessary to address promptly if you notice any tangles in your dog’s coat or hair. You can gather tools, detangle the fur, and address mats in case of a severe tangle. It is always recommended to seek professional help if you don’t have the required tools and techniques. 

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