Regular grooming is an important part of keeping your dog healthy. There are five major areas to focus on when caring for your dog: coat, teeth, nails, ears and eyes. While this care requires effort, it will pay off in a dog that stays healthier longer. It is important to start these activities as early as possible - preferably in puppyhood - to get your dog accustomed to and comfortable with these activities.
Coat, Ears and Eyes
Dogs don't need frequent bathing. Once a month should usually suffice, unless he is truly filthy or smelly. An outdoor bath with the hose will suffice when weather allows. The following are some basic tips for a good bath.
- Whether indoor or outdoor, it's good to use a basin or tub of some kind. When in a bathtub, put down a rubber mat to help your dog keep his footing.
- Soak your dog thoroughly except for the head. Massage in a special dog shampoo - human shampoos will dry a dog's coat and skin - let him stand for five minutes and rinse.
- Wipe the ears with a damp cloth. Only clean the visible areas and never insert anything into the ear. This is a good time to apply a liquid ear mite treatment.
- Examine the eyes and wipe away any discharge. Look for irritation or anything suspicious and contact your vet if you find anything unusual.
- Dry your dog thoroughly, preferably while still in the tub. This will keep the rest of your house from getting sprayed.
Even though baths can be infrequent, brushing is needed almost every day for some breeds. Buy the right kind of brush and comb for your dog's type and length of coat. Make sure you don't irritate the skin when brushing.
Teeth
Some people tend to ignore their dogs' dental needs or rely on dog biscuits to deal with plaque. While it is true that softer foods are worse for your dog's teeth, we strongly encourage you to go a step further to in caring for your dog's teeth and actually brush them as often as you can; every day is ideal.
Use a child's soft-bristled brush and either special dog toothpaste or baking soda. Human toothpaste is not meant to be swallowed, which is what will happen to whatever you put in your dog's mouth. Canine toothpaste is often meat flavored, making it a more pleasant experience for the dog. Use the brush to gently clean the surfaces of the teeth. There is generally no need to rinse.
While it takes effort and time, this reduces the risk of rotten teeth and bleeding gums later in life, making it easier to eat and chew as your dog ages. Neglected teeth often require expensive veterinarian care which can be as unpleasant for the dog as a dentist's trip can be for people.
Nails
To avoid splayed toes and curved-under nails, trim your dog's nails when they touch the floor. A sharp, pliers-style nail clipper is best as it allows the best control. Hold the paw firmly in one hand and use the other to trim the thick part of the nail until it ends just above the floor when placed flat on the ground. DO NOT trim up too high as this can break the skin and result in an infection.
Supplies
If you are going to care for your dog yourself, you will need a few basic supplies. Buy supplies designed for your dog's specific needs, such as coat length for brushes and combs or tinted shampoos if you want to bring out your dog's coloring.
The following is a list of basic supplies:
- Book detailing grooming for your dog (if purebred, buy a book for that specific breed)
- Brush
- Comb
- Shampoo
- Rubber Mat
- Nail Clippers
- Towel
- Scissors (for nose or ear hair)
- Ear treatment
- Lint roller (to clean up hair after a trim or brushing)
You may also want to consider these optional supplies:
- Hair dryer
- Vacuum attachments (to gently remove loose hair; check your pet store)
- Sponge glove (for washing)
- Dog tub (often has a hook for the collar to hold the dog in place)
- Electric clipper (get instruction on trimming your dog first)
- Grooming table
Some people prefer to take their dogs to a professional groomer once a month. This will cost more, but will ease your duties. Be sure to select a reputable groomer familiar with your breed of dog.
Dog Health: Grooming Your Dog
Originally Posted by darsmith13
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