Dog grooming in nurturing healthy dogs

Dog grooming

Just like human beings like to groom themselves, dog grooming should also never be ignored. Have you ever noticed a dog roll on the floor, licking his coat or chewing his fur? These are the means he uses to keep clean. Once in a while, he will require some assistance from you to look and smell good. Do not worry; we are here to offer you help. The article below talks about ways to keep your dog’s skin, fur, nails, paws and ears clean and healthy.

How to Bath your dog

According to ASPCA, it is advisable to bath your dog once in three months. However, others may need more regular baths especially if he has developed skin problems or if he spends a significant amount of time outdoors. The following steps will help you to get started:

1.     To begin with, give your dog a good brushing to remove mats and dead hair before putting him in a sink or tub filled with lukewarm water of about 3 to 4 inches.
2.     Wet your dog completely using a large plastic pitcher, unbreakable cup or spray hose.
3.     Exercise caution not to pour or spray water directly in his eyes, nose or ears.
4.     Massage the shampoo gently, work from head to tail, rinse and repeat as required
5.     Dry him carefully by giving him a good rub using a large towel. He is now clean.

Dogs with wrinkles or loose facial skin like Pugs and Shar Peis will require specialized attention. Use damp cotton to clean the folds in order to prevent bacteria and dirt from causing infection and irritation. Dry the areas between the folds thoroughly at all times.

Bathing Your Puppy as a way of dog grooming

There are puppies who deem bath time as the best time to play. The young puppies particularly bounce and wiggle everywhere and just nip at bath time. If this sounds like him, put a floating toy in the tub with him for him to enable him concentrate on that instead of mounting you. Put a large cotton ball in every ear for protection till he is through with the bath.
Dog grooming

Brushing Your Dog

Dog grooming regularly using a comb or brush will help in keeping your dog’s hair tidy. Remove dirt, spread natural oil throughout his coat, prevent tangles and keeps his skin irritant free and clean. Grooming time is ideal for checking fleas and dirt. The small black specks indicate that your dog is hosting a family of fleas. It is the type of coat that your dog has that determines how often you brush his coat and in which manner.
Dog grooming

Smooth, Short Coats

If your dog has a short and smooth coat like that of a Basset Hound, Boxer or Chihuahua, you need to brush him only once per week. To loosen dirt and dead skin, use a rubber brush and then a bristle brush for removing dead hair. Use a chamois cloth to polish him and let him shine.

Short, Dense Fur

Short and dense fur is prone to matting, hence it is okay to brush him once in a week. A slicker brush may be used for removing tangles while a bristle brush is used for catching dead hair. Do not forget to comb his tail.

Long, Silky Coats

Dogs that have a luxurious long coat such as Yorkshire terrier require attention on daily basis. You will require removing tangles on daily basis using a slicker brush. Use a bristle brush to brush her coat. Follow the steps above if your dog is long haired or has an Afghan hound and or a coat like collie’s. However, ensure to use a comb through the fur and also trim the hair surrounding the feet.

Long Hair that needs frequent matting

It is recommended that a daily grooming routine is set for removing tangles and preventing mats. Use a slicker brush to gently tease tangles out and use a bristle brush to brush him. If you find matting to be dense, try to clip the nails ensuring not to get close to the skin.

Shedding

While shedding damaged or old hair is a normal process for dogs, the frequency and amount of hair in most cases depend on their type of breed, season and health. During winter, most dogs develop thick coats which they then shed at winter time. Dogs kept indoors at all times, however, are prone to small fluctuations in their coat thickness and evenly shed fairly all year round.

How to minimize Shedding as a way of dog grooming

Even though you cannot stop a healthy dog from shedding normally, you can minimize the amount of hair in your home by regularly brushing your dog. Ask your groomer or veterinarian to recommend a particular type of comb or brush that will work well for the type of hair your dog has.

Excessive Loss of Hair

For dogs, shedding is a normal process. Shedding excessively can also be mitigated through proper nutrition. Most dog food manufacturers include the right nutrient amounts so that you don’t have to add any supplements. However, allergic or sensitive pets may require experimenting different brands to find out the best food that is ideal for them.
Bald patches or excessive hair loss may result due to the following reasons:

• Parasites (lice, fleas or mites)
• Bacterial or fungal infections
• Food-related or Inhalant allergies
• Liver, kidney, adrenal or thyroid disease (including Cushing’s)
• Lactation or pregnancy
• Some types of medications
• Self-induced trauma as a result of licking
• Immune disease
• Cancer
• Sunburn
• Contact with caustic or irritating substance

If you notice any of the following conditions, consult with your veterinarian for treatment.

• Skin irritation, including redness, bumps, rashes or scabs
• Open sores of any kind
• Bald spots or thinning of coat
• Dull, dry hair that pulls out easily
• Scratching
• Constant foot licking or face rubbing