Why is grooming your dog important?
Besides keeping small, unwanted critters away and making your house cleaner, grooming creates a special bond between your dog and you. Once your dog is used to being groomed, he will thoroughly enjoy the attention!
When it comes to grooming, it is important to focus not only on your dog’s coat, but his ears, teeth and nails as well.
Brushing your dog’s teeth isn’t mandatory, although there are special toothpastes that can be used on dogs. To prevent dental disease, you can give your dog rawhide bones which clean their teeth. The development of tartar and bad breath can be thwarted by sticking to a good, chewy diet. If your dog’s teeth are very bad, a veterinarian can clean them for you to begin taking good care of them.
Keep your dog’s nails trimmed. You may use specially designed pet nail clippers for dogs. Do not cut them too short too quickly, as this can be very painful. Your dog’s nails should just touch the floor when he is standing. The “dew claws” on the side of your dog’s feet need attention as well.
If you notice anything irregular about your dog’s ears, see if your veterinarian can help you with treatments. Keep in mind that dog’s ears are very sensitive and ear problems can be very painful. Never put a Q-tip or any other objects in your dog’s ears!
Grooming your dog’s coat is very important and should be done daily if possible because it prevents matting and fleas. If your dog has longer hair, brushing it is essential. Dogs generally keep themselves clean, but may sometimes require a bath. Be aware that bathing your dog too often can cause dry skin and only use shampoo that is designed for use on your dog.
Keep your dog feeling and looking great all year round!
