When did you last take your beloved pups to a pet grooming clinic? No matter how busy you are, you need to take time when it comes to dog grooming, you need to take time to bring your fur baby to the nearest PetSmart clinic. You need to maintain your dog’s level of cleanliness as much as you take care of yourself. Pet grooming will not just maintain their appearance but also maintains physical health.
Basic Dog Grooming Tips
Bathing Time
Taking a bath not more than once a week can help ensure that your fur baby will maintain its smooth skin and shiny coat. You can use natural shampoo and conditioner that are specially made for dogs.
If you notice that your pup’s skin is often dry, flaky, or itchy, you need to go to a PetSmart near you as soon as possible. Your dog may have sensitive skin or allergies to certain foods. Also, don’t use a human shampoo or detergent bar because this might be the culprit. These products can throw off the ph balance of your fur baby’s skin. Aside from that, it may contain harsh chemicals that can cause allergies to your pup’s skin.
Regular Brushing
Most dogs especially those long-hair dogs’ shed. Giving your dog a regular brushing can help ensure that all of the extra furs do not end up on your furniture, carpets, and clothes. Aside from that it helps remove dirt and dandruff while bringing out the natural oils in the dog’s fur. As you brush your dog’s coat, the natural oils are spreading all over your pup’s fur. Giving your dog a regular brushing acts as a massage which helps to promote healthy blood circulation.
As you brush your dog, you can check your dog for any abnormalities like:
- matting and sores
- tick and fleas
- general lumps and bumps
- scratches
- dry patches
- infection or inflammation issues with their nails, ears, teeth, and eyes
Ear care
Taking care of your pet’s ear hygiene doesn’t have to be done every day. You can weekly check them as part of your regular pet grooming routine by flipping them up and taking a peek inside. You can use an ear cleaner to flush out your pup’s ear. You can put a few drops of ear cleaner and lightly massage your dog’s ear. After that let your dog shake its head and gently wipe out the ear canal with a cotton swab.
If you notice that your pups have red, inflamed ears, have a foul odor, or produce excess wax or other debris, these might be a sign that your dog has an infection. Aside from that if your dog shows symptoms like frequently scratching their head or ears or seems to be in pain when you clean their ears. Look for a “PetSmart near me” so that a veterinarian can treat them.
Eye care
Dogs also get goo or gunk in their eyes. You can take a soft and damp cloth, wet tissue, or wet cotton balls to wipe the corner of their eyes. If you notice that their eye gunk is crusty, you can soak it with water for a moment to make it easier for you to remove.
A healthy dog has shiny, clear, and moist eyes. So if you notice that your dog’s eyes are red and swollen, you need to talk to your vet immediately. Your dog must be in pain or must be experiencing some infections.
Cleaning the teeth and nails
You need to keep your dog’s nails trimmed because overgrown nails can be uncomfortable to be. It can become ingrown and infected. Aside from that, having long nails can contribute to arthritis and other joint pain in the knees and hips.
Daily brushing is recommended to ensure that your pet’s teeth and gums are healthy but if it is not possible you can give them at least twice per week. You can use a pet or kid’s toothbrush, a cotton swab, or a gauze pad. Apply toothpaste specially made for a dog.
While brushing your pet’s teeth, pay attention to the problem areas in the back upper molars and canine teeth, bleeding gums, or lumps and bumps. If you notice that your pups have foil breath, then it is a sure sign of a dental problem. You can visit the nearest PetSmart near you to address the problem immediately and combat any periodontal disease.
Groom your dog regularly
Grooming is very vital to your dog’s health and well-being. But the amount of grooming that you can give your pups depends on their coat type. It can also eliminate the discomfort of your dog in many ways – like if your pups’ matt easily brushing can make them feel better.