How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?
Updated On: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 09:52:35 AM America/Los_Angeles
Regular grooming can feel like a hassle, but it's critical for your fur baby’s well-being and prevents small issues from growing into serious problems. Keeping your pup in tip-top shape not only reduces the likelihood of pests and a messy home, it also prevents more serious (and potentially life-threatening) illnesses. Thorough cleaning can keep dirty ears from becoming an ear infection, prevent gingivitis from leading to chronic kidney disease, and more. Read on to find out how often dogs should be groomed to keep them happy and healthy for years to come!
Photo by Александр Гросс
Bathing
Lifestyle and coat are two major factors in how often your canine companion should be bathed. Some pooches may need weekly bathing if they’re in the habit of hitting the trails in the summer, while double-coated breeds like the Husky should only be bathed once in the winter as their fur helps protect their skin. Another thing to consider is your pet’s unique skin. Dogs whose skin tends to be dry or easily irritated may need to cut down on baths so that their skin isn’t stripped of natural oils.
In addition to bathing, moisturizing is also an important step of regular grooming. Sufficient moisturizing minimizes the chances of dry, cracked noses and pads during the colder months. And when allergy season strikes, moisturizing the skin can prevent itchy skin from turning into painful hotspots.
Ear Cleaning
It can be easy to forget about the ears. Ear canals are often tucked away and hidden out of sight, but that doesn’t mean they’re unimportant. Because ear flaps can cover the ear canal, it’s the perfect breeding ground for icky germs. Skout's Honor's Probiotic Ear Cleaner gently cleanses, soothes and protects dirty, itchy & irritated ears. It helps to restore harmony to the ear's natural microbiome and fights against harmful bacteria for up to 2 weeks! Monthly cleanings should be sufficient as long as ears are dried thoroughly and checked regularly when being bathed and brushed. Dog pawrents may want to check their doggo’s ears more frequently during the warmer months, when ear mites are more likely. It’s a good idea to peek in there often even if a full on cleaning isn’t necessary.
Brushing
How often you brush your pooch will depend highly on the type of coat they have as well as how often they go out. Canines who are blowing a thick coat, for instance, may need to be brushed almost daily, while a short-haired lab may only need to be brushed once or twice a week during the summer months. Dog owners should note if seasonal shedding will occur for their pooches and brush coats more frequently in the months leading up to winter and summer.
If the weather makes dirty fur unavoidable, an indoor dog bathroom like DoggieLawn is the perfect solution! A real grass pee pad offers all the perks of the great outdoors in the comfort (and convenience) of your own home.
Teeth Cleaning
Ever wonder why vets stress dental hygiene so much? It’s not about just keeping those chompers pearly white; dental disease can lead to chronic and even fatal illnesses such as kidney disease if left untreated. Your fur baby’s teeth should be brushed 2-3 times a week, but daily brushing may be needed for dogs who are genetically prone to gum disease or plaque buildup. In addition to regular brushing, your vet should be checking your pup’s teeth during annual check-ups and give you an estimate for when the next dental cleaning should happen.
Nail Trimming
Trimming a dog’s nails is commonly overlooked, as it only has to be done once every couple of weeks – especially if your furry one frequently walks on hard surfaces like concrete. However, paws should still be checked frequently to keep an eye out for possible infections or broken nails. And nails should be trimmed at least every couple of weeks.
