Raising a dog brings a lot of responsibilities for a parent. And while most of those duties are challenging, some of them are exceptionally tricky, such as regularly grooming your dog. Every dog parent struggles to chalk out a thorough grooming/bathing plan for their fur baby, especially if they are first-timers. But with a little bit of discipline and routine, you can come up with the perfect grooming regimen for your furry companion, one that caters to all of its cleaning needs.
Keeping a dog sparkly and soft from head to paw involves looking after its skin, coat, paws, ears, teeth, nose, and eyes while being patient throughout the process. Grooming your dog regularly is not only essential for your sidekick’s appearance but also its health. A dog with poor hygiene is more likely to develop health issues than a canine that is groomed frequently.
If you want your fur baby to be healthy and happy, you must have a proper grooming schedule. And to help you come up with one, we decided to put together the ultimate dog grooming guide that will teach you all about cleaning a canine. So, without further ado, let’s jump straight into it.
There are a bunch of aspects when it comes to grooming a dog. You need to tend to them one by one to ensure that your doggo is squealy clean from top to bottom.
Brushing your dog regularly is essential to keep its coat healthy and free of tangles. Especially if your dog comes from a breed that carries thick long-haired coats, you need to make sure that you comb your fur baby’s hair every day. The most common long-haired dog breeds are setters, Afghan hounds, Samoyeds, Border Collies, Leonbergers, and Lhasa Apsos. They require much more extensive hair care than their short-haired kin.
Brushing removes all the dirt and debris on a dog’s coat and smooths it out. It also spreads the natural oil in a canine’s skin throughout the coat, giving it a natural shine.
Important Tips on Brushing your Dog
Don’t rush brushing your pup. Take your time and gently untangle your fluffy pal’s hair. And make sure you use the right tool (NEVER use a human brush) when combing your pet. If you can’t decide on a brush/comb, ask your vet to help you choose the right one.
Regular bathing is vital for your dog’s overall health. It will keep your fur child free of germs and freshen them up. Many dog parents have trouble deciding how often they should bath their babies. There is no universal formula to help you decide how many times a week you shower your pup. It’s more a matter of personal preference. With that said, most parents give their fluffy child a bath when they smell an unpleasant odor or see visible dirt on their pet’s coat. You can follow the same rule or decide on a particular number of shower sessions for your canine companion.
Important Tips on Bathing your Dog
Buy high-quality dog bathing products. Don’t use human shampoos or soaps on your canine because those can cause allergic reactions and can be toxic for your pet.
Try to go for organic bathing supplies for your furry pal as they are free of toxic chemicals that are sometimes present in synthetic alternatives. However, if you can’t find all-natural products, then make sure that the products you buy do not contain the following.
Your dog’s paws are the most susceptible to getting damaged as they frequently come in contact with dirt and harsh surfaces. Therefore, you need to regularly moisturize your fluffy pal’s paw with a canine moisturizer or balm. Although you should look after your pet’s paws all year long, pay special attention to them during harsh weather.
Paw protection for dogs also includes keeping a canine’s feet germ-free. You can do that by wiping your companion’s paws with a cleansing wipe. Make sure you put moisturizer over your baby’s feet after cleaning them.
Nail trimming should also be a part of your dog’s grooming routine. However, you don’t have to do it every week; once or twice in a month is sufficient. One way of deciding when to give your dog a nail trimming session is to peel your ears for a clicking sound when taking it out for a walk. A scratching or clicking sound is an indication that your canine’s nails have gotten substantially big.
Never use a lotion that’s formulated for humans. Only buy products that are exclusively made for dogs.
Oral hygiene is the most overlooked aspect of dog grooming. You must brush your furry friend’s teeth every two to three days to keep them healthy. Poor dental hygiene can lead to various infections and dental issues in dogs. Therefore, make sure to brush your canine’s teeth at least thrice a week.
Only use pet toothpaste for brushing your dog’s teeth. Human toothpaste contains chemicals that can be toxic and, in some cases, deadly for canines.
Unclean ears make an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and parasites in dogs. Therefore, cleaning a dog’s ears once a month is crucial. Although it’s not going to be an easy task, you must stay patient and get it done for your fur baby’s health.
Use an organic canine ear cleansing serum to clean your fluffy friend’s ears. Ask your vet to help you choose the best brand for your pet.
Make sure to wait for a few minutes after pouring the serum in your dog’s ears and then use a dual-sided earbud to clear out dirt. Don’t use human earbuds, instead buy canine ear cleansing kit to treat your dog right.
Dog grooming is a complicated job, so make sure you take your time doing it. And don’t forget to reward your four-legged companion with lots of treats after every cleaning session!
by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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