Proper grooming is one of the keys to keeping your dog healthy. It also provides you with one more way to bond with him. Indeed, the time shared grooming can be as enriching as playtime.
Grooming your dog includes taking care of his coat, nails, eyes, ears, and teeth. In this blog, we’ll address some of the basics on how to care for your new puppy/dog. Simple ways to groom him at home:
Hair Brushing:
Begin by selecting a proper comb or brush. This will depend on the length of your dog’s hair. For brushes, you have a choice of bristle, wire-pin, or slicker types. For combs, note that ones made from rubber do well for massaging the skin as well. Try and make hair-brushing a daily routine for you and your dog. This will not only keep his coat shiny and clean, but also strengthen the bond between you. When brushing, be systematic, starting from the head and work down towards the tail. Never pull at tangles or mats (routine brushing will minimize such problems). Note that before giving your dog a bath, you should always brush his hair first.Bathing:
Baths can be such fun, plus they eliminate pesky germs and dirt. To wash your dog, brush his hair (to remove tangles and loose dirt) and then wet him down thoroughly (using warm water). Apply only a small dab of shampoo; massage it into the skin, working from head to tail. Do not apply soap directly to your dog’s face ever, but rather, use a wet rag to clean it. When drying off, don’t create tangles by rubbing him every which way. Work with the grain of your dog’s hair and always brush him when wet to loosen and rid of knots/tangles.Trimming Nails:
If a dog’s nails are too long, it can affect his walking, be a source of pain, and even impact his mood. Broken nails can be painful for your dog and are more likely to happen when nails have grown too long. To help him with this, regularly trim his nails. In our next blog, we’ll address just “how” to do so. It might be nerve-wracking at first, but our dogs trust us more than anyone and they’ll be happier if we do this for them.Cleaning Eyes:
Monitoring your dog’s eyes can help in assessing his overall health. You’ll want his eyes to be moist and clear, as well as free of any hair. Did you know that hair can scratch your dog’s eye? It’s true. Not to mention, a dog will try and remove irritating hair from his eyes himself, using his paw or the floor – which could result in injury. To help avoid this, clip any excess hair and use a damp cloth to gently remove dirt/mucus. For dogs prone to “tear stains,” add a tear-stain remover to your weekly checkup.Cleaning Ears:
Sadly, ear problems are not uncommon for dogs, but fortunately, they are treatable. You can also help prevent them with weekly cleanings. If there is any buildup, apply an ear cleaner to loosen debris. In addition, clean the ear flap and outer ear canal with a trusty cotton swab and/or washcloth. Make note of any telltale signs that something could be bothering your dog’s ear(s): an odor; scratching; discharge; redness or swelling; tilting of the head; or painful reaction when touched.Brushing Teeth:
Just like us, a dog’s teeth must be cleaned regularly or else it can suffer from tooth decay, plaque buildup, cavities, or even more severe problems. To help keep these at bay, routine brushing can do wonders (in between vet visits). In our next blog, we’ll discuss this topic further, along with how to trim your dog’s nails.
In short, proper grooming can positively affect your dog’s health – both physically and emotionally. A nice bath can rejuvenate him, as can a timeout for brushing his coat, cleaning his ears, or applying a flea solution. Grooming is an expression of how much we care and as is always the case, your perceptive pet will recognize it as such. And love you for it!
* Originally written for MyHollywoodPets.com.
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