Grooming Your Dog
Tuesday, July 25, 2017 05:23:09 PM America/Los_Angeles
All About Dog Grooming
They say cleanliness is next to Godliness – and while that statement may have originally been about humans, it applies to our furry friends as well! Grooming a dog is an important part of owning a pet, and keeping your pooch clean helps improve their health as well as making them a better cuddle buddy. Our DoggieLawn indoor dog grass pads are designed to keep your home clean and your dog happy – but here are a few tips for making sure your pup stays clean as well.
Why Should You Groom Your Dog?
It turns out, grooming isn't just about looks – it's also important for keeping your dog healthy. Good grooming helps to prevent skin irritation, which can easily happen if too much dirt and dust accumulate in the fur. Grooming also helps ward off infection and diseases, as dirty fur is a magnet for germs. As for frequency of grooming, it depends chiefly on how long your dog's fur is. Long-haired dogs like poodles, Shih Tzus, and Lhasa Apsos should get a full grooming about every 6 weeks, while full-coated dogs like Bearded Collies or sheepdogs can go 8 weeks between grooming. Short-haired dogs may need to be groomed even less frequently – but they best way to know for sure is to check with your vet.
The 10 Best Ways to Groom a Dog
Here are the 10 top ways for keeping your furry friend impeccably clean. Keep them up, and your dog is sure to thank you!
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Brushing: One of the simplest ways to groom your dog at home is with a brush. Most dogs shed, and controlling shedding means controlling excess hair on your pup. Get a quality dog grooming brush and make a point to give a good brush down every now and again.
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Scissors: If it's been awhile since you've groomed your dog and you find matted hair, do NOT try to brush it out. Instead, carefully clip it away with scissors – doing anything else will just damage your dog's skin.
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Brushing Teeth: You may not have heard this one before, but dogs actually benefit from regular tooth brushing just as humans do. You can find a doggy toothbrush and toothpaste at your local pet store.
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Clipping Nails: While some people opt to do this at home, most will let the vet handle this step. Trimming nails helps to prevent infection and protect the health of your pup's paws.
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Take a Bath: One of the simplest ways to groom your dog is a good old-fashioned bath. You can find specially formulated doggy shampoo to help keep your pup's coat gleaming.
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Blow-dry: Not all dogs will need this, but for longer-haired breeds, your dog may need a blow-dry after their bath. Do this more or less the same way you'd blow-dry your own hair, being careful not to leave the stream of hot air on them for too long.
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Clipping the Coat: Also something specific to long-haired dogs, you may want to consider clipping them. You can use a good pair of dog grooming clippers to carefully shave away the outer layer of your dog's coat, leaving them with shorter, cleaner fur.
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Ear Cleaning: Different dogs will have different needs for ear cleaning, but it should be an occasional part of your grooming regimen. Using a damp cloth, lightly swab the outer part of your dog's ear, being careful to never force anything into your pup's ear.
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Anal Sac Expression: Ever notice your dog scooting their butt along the floor? This is a sign that they need their anal sacs, or anal glands, expressed. Most people won't want to try this at home, so take your furry friend in to see the vet for this procedure.
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Take Your Dog to the Groomers: Of course, if you'd rather leave all this to the professionals, there's nothing wrong with treating your dog to a spa day at your local dog groomer. They'll leave your pup looking pampered, happy, and squeaky clean!
Order Your Indoor Grass Pee Pad Today!
Keeping your dog clean is an important part of being a good pet owner – and if you'd like to keep your home or apartment clean as well, we can help out. DoggieLawn indoor dog grass pads are designed to create a safe, sanitary, and pleasant environment for your pup to do their business while you're out. The unique soil-less design of our dog potty grass means they're safe for virtually any home. Want to make owning a dog simple and prevent unwanted accidents? Order your dog patio potty today!
