When you are a pet owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your furry friend is in their best condition at all times. This means that they should be healthy and happy because then, you will be able to spend more quality time with them. Part of being on top of their overall health is by grooming them and below are the other reasons why grooming your dog is essential, as well as how often you should do it.
Best Health
One of the primary reasons why grooming your dog is essential is to ensure that he is in his best health. When you groom your dog, you are getting yourself familiar with his body, allowing you to immediately address anything that needs your attention when it comes to their health such as fleas or cavities. In parallel to this, you will also be able to bring up any potential health issues to your veterinarian immediately.
Brushing and Bathing
Brushing is one of the biggest elements in grooming your dog because apart from removing dirt, dandruff, and dead hair, it can also prevent tangles and matting that can result in pain and infections. On the other hand, bathing is also essential because it will ensure that your furry friend will remain clean and germ-free, although you need to be wary of how often you bathe your dog. The reason behind this is that bathing your dog more often than you should have a detrimental effect on their health since it can strip the natural oils from their skin.
Long-haired Dogs
For long-haired dogs who tend to shed seasonally, it is best to have them groomed at least once every quarter. However, the longer hair they have on their feet, legs, bellies, butts, and ears may need to be trimmed more regularly because the hair in these areas is prone to matting. Just keep in mind to choose the right clipper and to take extra precautions in clipping your dog’s fur in these areas or better yet, take your dog to a grooming professional instead. In this way, you are guaranteed that you don’t accidentally injure your dog.
Short-haired Dogs
Short-haired dogs only need minimal brushing and occasional baths because they have a lower risk of getting mats. Just make sure that you still take the time to brush them regularly because in doing so, you will be able to help stimulate the natural oil production of their bodies, leading to a shiny coat. When it comes to baths though, a good rule of thumb is to bathe them no more than once a month because over-bathing can dry out their skin, resulting in brittle hair and shedding.
Dental Hygiene
Apart from brushing and bathing your dog, you should also ensure that they have good dental hygiene. In this case, what you can do is to brush their teeth regularly using a toothbrush and toothpaste that is recommended by your veterinarian. In this way, your dog will have a reduced risk of suffering from dental problems, including bad breath. In parallel to regular teeth brushing, you can also give them dog treats that foster the strength of their teeth.
Ears and Eyes
The ears of your dog should be clean and odor-free because anything that looks red and swollen, having an unpleasant smell, can be a sign of infection. When you notice any of these signs when you are grooming your dog, make sure to notify your vet promptly to have them addressed. Just keep in mind that certain breeds are more susceptible to ear infections compared to others. You should also see to it that the eyes of your dog are not covered by their hair because if the hair around their eyes is untrimmed, the risk of eye infections is increased.
Nail Trimming
Make sure that you also trim the nails of your dog regularly to reduce their risk of injury, preventing the likelihood of in-growing nails. For older dogs, trimming the nails of your dog can ease their arthritis or joint pains. As much as possible, trim the nails of your dog once a month, rather than waiting for their nails to be too long before you decide to clip it short.
Look Good
Another reason why it is important to groom your dog is for him to look good. Like humans, a dog that looks good tends to feel good as well. For instance, when the teeth of your dog look good, then this is a positive sign that they have well-maintained dental hygiene, allowing them to eat properly and eventually feel good instead of being in pain or losing appetite. On the other hand, when you clean your dog’s eyes with pet eye wipes, not only will he look good, but you are also clearing out any debris that can cause duct blockage. When your dog can see clearly, then it will feel better.
Clean Home
Grooming your pet is important because it can also keep your home clean. For instance, when you brush your dog regularly, you will be able to capture the hair they are shedding in the brush. This means that there will be less hair on your couch or rug for you to clean. You will also be more comfortable cuddling your furry friend when they feel fresh and clean-smelling. Keep in mind that when you are grooming your dog, you are also spending quality time with him, which is why it is all the more important for you to groom your dog regularly.
There are several reasons why grooming your dog is important such as to ensure that he is in his best health, as well as for your furry friend to look good which can happen from using a variety of grooming styles for doodles. When you groom your dog, you will also have a clean home. But perhaps the best reason why grooming your dog is essential is that it can be a good opportunity for you to spend quality time with your dog. Just keep in mind that the frequency of grooming depends on the breed of your dog, which has a great impact on their coat and characteristics. Learn more in our in depth article how to groom a goldendoodle.
