2. Why is Grooming Good for your dog?
Grooming is an important part of your dog's health,
with regular brushing and combing helping to remove
dead hair and dirt and prevent matting. Dogs who are
regularly groomed tend to have a healthier and shinier
coat because it stimulates the blood supply to the skin.
Grooming your dog can also be a good way to bond
with your dog, and it's important to get him used to it
from an early age. Many dogs learn to see their routine
brushing as an alternate petting, another source of
affection and attention. A good quality brush and comb
will help you with your dog's coat, but also remember
that your dog's eyes, ears, and nails require attention
as well.
4. Reasons to Groom?
Grooming is an important part of dog care. Depending on the breed, age, and
health of the dog, grooming may be a daily activity. Many breeds require
significantly less grooming than this, but regular grooming helps to ensure the
dog is healthy and comfortable. It is important to note that while many dogs
shed, others, do not shed as profusely, and require grooming by a professional
every 6–8 weeks maximum.
5. Main Reasons
The main reasons for daily grooming include:
decreased chance of various health problems, such as thrush, scratches, and other
skin problems
general cleanliness of the dog
monitoring of the dog's health by checking for cuts, heat, swelling, lameness, or
changes in temperament, all of which could be indicative of illness
forging of a closer bond between dog and owner
6. Bathing is important
Dogs can be bathed by being sprayed with a hand-held shower head, or
doused with water from a bucket. One bath will not make a dog truly clean. A
second bath is excellent to ensure the entire body has been cleaned. Dogs
should be bathed with warm, not hot water, in order to make it a more enjoyable
experience. Dogs with a heavy or matted coat should never be bathed without
first being completely brushed out or clipped of any mats.
7. Nail trimming
Nail trimming is essential for maintaining good health. If a dog's nails are
allowed to grow, they will curl over into a spiral shape; walking will become
increasingly painful to the dog as they grow, putting pressure on the dogs toes
(a bit like walking in shoes that are too small). Uncut nails may curl so far that
they pierce the paw pad, leading to infection and debilitating pain. If one does
not trim a dog's nails on a monthly basis the quick will grow along with the nail,
making it nearly impossible to cut properly. Owners may choose to trim nails
themselves or may opt to take their pet to a groomer or veterinarian.
8. Hair Removal
The coats of many breeds require trimming, cutting, or other attention. Styles vary
by breed and discipline. While some hair removal has its origins in practical
purposes, much is based on the taste of the owner, whether or not the dog will be
shown, and what work the dog does.
The rubber grooming gloves and dog brushes are intended to drag loose hair from
the short-coated dogs and are ones of the most popular grooming tools amongst pet
owners. They are easy to use, as using them basically means massaging the coat in
firm strokes and have the advantage of being suitable for both wet and dry coats.
9. Dental Care
Dental care is also to be considered while grooming. This is however quite a difficult
mission, given that dogs hardly allow their teeth to be brushed. The dental kits available
on the market include everything from special tooth paste to toothbrushes. Many models
of toothbrushes include a three flexible head design which maintains the proper pressure
on all surfaces of the tooth with every stroke. These brushes have side bristles set the 45
degree angles to reduce the arm twisting and soft outer bristles for massaging the gums.
Toothpaste designed to be used on dogs is usually natural sugar free toothpaste with
different flavoring. Foaming or rinsing is not necessary.