Canine Grooming

Whilst cats tend to clean themselves on a daily basis, dogs are not so fastidious and so need a bit more attention when it comes to grooming. If left to its own devices, a dog will become dirty and quite possibly over- smelly. It is therefore imperative that a strict grooming schedule is kept to by any responsible dog owner as it will ensure that their dog is kept free of mites, ticks, body odours and allergies.

As mentioned yesterday in the hub I wrote about feline grooming, the brushing and maintenance of a dog’s coat constitutes a large part of the grooming process. Whilst there are many different types of coats found amid felines, there is an even greater variety found amongst the canine population. This means that one type of breed may have an entirely different requirement from another in terms of frequency and tools used. A dog with long thick fur, such as an Old English Sheepdog, will need to have its coat trimmed, brushed and cleaned more regularly than a dog such as a Beagle.

In addition to trimming and brushing the coat, a dog will also need to have a bath to remove any tangles that may have developed and help to keep the coat shiny and healthy. This is one part of the grooming process that most dogs will certainly not enjoy and so it can be stressful for both the owner and the dog. It should be noted that the more a dog’s coat is brushed the less often it will have to be bathed. Of course, not all dogs will hate bath-time and some may even love it.

There are a few other parts of a dog’s anatomy that need checking and maintaining on a regular basis. Dogs will need their claws clipped from time to time as if they become too long then they will start to touch the floor and place stress upon the dog’s paw as a whole. The paws are one of the most sensitive parts of a dog’s body and so it is imperative that any owner is extremely careful when undertaking this task, using tools that are specifically designed for this purpose.

It is important to make sure that a dog’s dental hygiene is kept at a healthy level. People will often expect dogs to have bad breath but this can be a sign of dental disease. To keep a dog’s teeth and mouth clean and free from decay or disease an owner can use specially designed toothpaste and a finger brush; using a normal toothbrush may be sore for the dog and so whilst a finger brush will indeed be messy and slobbery for the owner, it is a much kinder and usually more successful method. It is critical to note that using normal toothpaste will make the dog sick. For those dogs that really just do not like their teeth brushed there is a range of special mouth rinses that help to prevent the build-up of plaque.

Dogs will also need their ears cleaned to reduce the build-up of wax and thus the development of an ear infection. The best way to do this in a general sense is to use warm water and cotton pads to gently remove any wax that is in the ear. Again, it is essential to be careful as dogs’ ears are extremely sensitive.

Please be aware that this hub is only for general advice purposes only, it is not a medical document and does not deal with specific ear, dental or paw problems. If you are worried about anything to do with your dog’s well-being then please consult your vet who will be able to help.