How Do You Groom Your Dog At Home?

A well-groomed dog will look and feel his best. Grooming treatments that are done on a regular basis also allow you to inspect your dog’s coat, teeth, eyes, ears, and nails for symptoms of diseases or any health problems. While proper hygiene habits are necessary for a healthy dog, most dogs, unlike people, do not require regular cleaning and grooming routines. What is necessary for a dog’s grooming and how frequently all of it must be done is determined by their size, their type of coat and their breed. Professional dog groomers, professional dog handlers, and certain veterinary technicians are all experienced when it comes to grooming, so you can be confident that your dog is in capable hands with them. It is, nevertheless, beneficial  though for owners to learn regular grooming for their dogs in order to keep them looking and feeling good without the help of the professionals mentioned above, since they won’t always be accessible. So, here are some tips and ways to groom your dog correctly at home.

Brushing

A couple of brushing sessions each week will maintain the average dog tidy and clean, but daily care is preferable. In order to properly groom your dog, you must brush down to the skin, allowing the massaging motion to increase blood circulation and loosen and eliminate dandruff particles. The type of equipment required is determined on the texture and length of your dog’s coat. For example, pin brushes with long, round-ended stainless-steel or chrome-plated pins are required for longhaired canines, while bristle brushes are required for short-, medium-, and some long-coated breeds. Slicker brushes are also an option for eliminating mats and dead hair, as are rubber curry combs for polishing sleek coats and removing dead hair. Some other recommended products for a better brushing routine are clippers, stripping knives, rakes and hairdryers. Furthermore, you should check for burrs and other tenacious plant debris when brushing. You must also be on the lookout for any mats, which commonly form behind the ears and beneath the legs and any scratches or scrapes on the skin itself. All dogs shed, but some shed far more than others, so brushing on a regular basis is mandatory to keep shedding under control and to a minimum.

Bathing

Depending on your dog’s breed and coat, they should receive regular, but not frequent, bathing. With too many bat sessions, you can potentially destroy natural oils, causing their coat to become dry and rough. When required, you must apply a gentle dog shampoo during your showers. It is recommended to place the dog in a tub or basin and put cotton balls in their ears and a few drops of mineral oil in their eyes. After that, wet the dog and apply shampoo from the neck back. Once that’s finished, rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water after lathering and scrubbing. After cleaning your dog, you should rub them thoroughly with a towel and then blow-dry, which may not be required since they usually just shake it all off. Finally, comb or brush their fur as needed to add the finishing touches to their post-cleaning look.

Nail Trimming

To keep the feet of your dog healthy, it is best to keep their nails short. Long nails obstruct the dog’s stride, making walking difficult for them or even uncomfortable. Furthermore, long nails  are quite prone to breaking. This generally occurs at the base of the nail, near blood vessels and nerves, and once they break, it is necessary for you to bring your dog on a trip to the veterinarian. One way to figure out if the nails of your pet are too long is by trying to listen and see if they are clicking on the floor. If you discover your dog’s nails are excessively long, you must clip them as soon as possible. You must use a specifically designed clipper to cut your dog’s nails. This is due to the fact that most of these clippers contain safety shields that prevent you from cutting their nails too short. Trim only the ends of your dog’s nails, before the “quick,” which is a blood vessel inside the nail. Only the hook-like section of the nail that turns down should be clipped. Although all of this is necessary for your dog’s health, many of them dread having their nails clipped. You may make the procedure less unpleasant for your dog by introducing it to them when they are a puppy. For example, you may begin softly clipping a nail or two at a time, and your dog will learn that you are not going to injure him. If you trim the quick by accident, the part of the nail that was mentioned earlier, it is possible to stop the bleeding with a bit of styptic powder. If you have trouble clipping your dog’s nails, it is best to take them to a veterinarian or groomer to avoid any potential problems.

Ear and Eye Cleaning

You should clean your dog’s ears once a month, or more frequently if they have ear issues. When cleaning the outer area of this part of your dog, it is recommended to only use a moist towel or a cotton swab soaked in mineral oil. You must also remember to never put anything in your ear. Some dogs require the hair within the ear to be immediately plucked to keep air circulation. If you are having trouble figuring out if plucking the hair is essential for your dog, it is best to see your veterinarian and ask them any questions. For cleaning your dog’s eye, you can use a cotton swab to remove any eye discharges. However, you must remember to not put anything in your dog’s eye or else they will be irritated and could possibly get infected.

Tooth Brushing

Brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis with dog-specific toothbrushes and toothpaste. If your dog is resistant to getting his teeth cleaned, you can start by stroking his teeth and gums with your finger to ease them into it. Then, put some toothpaste on your finger and let them inspect it by sniffing or licking. Once they get comfortable with that, repeat the step, but with the toothbrush instead. Moreover, be sure to provide your dog with chewing toys that help them clean their teeth because this is another efficient way to make sure that their teeth are in pristine condition. Also, as your dog ages, they may develop tartar accumulation, which needs professional cleaning by a veterinarian and such. 

Anal Sac Maintenance

Anal sacs are glands that leak fragrance when your dog has a bowel movement and they are found on each side of your dog’s anus. Your dog may have impacted anal sacs if you witness them scooting along on their back or licking or scratching their anus. If you notice them doing this frequently, consult with your veterinarian about how to address an anal sac issue.

Grooming your dog is an essential part of their hygiene and well-being. By cleaning and taking care of them regularly, you are decreasing the chances of them getting infections or experiencing any potential health problems. To groom your dog properly, you must include brushing, bathing, nail trimming, ear and eye cleaning, tooth brushing and anal sac maintenance in your regular sessions. Pet professionals are not always accessible and your pets must need constant grooming, so learning how to properly do all of this is very beneficial. If you need further help or are confused about anything, consult with a trusted veterinarian or visit a dog grooming service today.