7 Tips On Grooming Your Dog At Home | Oxford Veterinary Clinic

Make sure your dog is looking gorgeous and healthy by following our tips on grooming and bathing. Regular grooming is essential for all dogs as it ensures they have an attractive, tidy coat and also gives you the opportunity to identify parasite infestations and skin problems, improving their overall health. Additionally, grooming can provide an opportunity to bond with you and your dog. Even pets with low-maintenance, short coats require regular bathing, brushing, and trimming. Dogs with longer coats might require clipping or trimming. Although you might want to set up frequent appointments with an experienced pet groomer in Oxford, MS particularly when it comes to trimming and clipping your dog’s hair, this article can assist you with tips on grooming your dog at home regardless.

 

 

 

1. Make Sure to Regularly Brush your Dog’s Coat to Avoid Mats

Whatever breed you choose, regardless of breed, your dog will require regular grooming to keep his coat glossy and shiny. The frequency of brushing you do per week will depend on your dog’s length and texture. Long-haired breeds such as collies and golden retrievers will require a greater frequency of brushing (at minimum once per week, but you don’t do it every other day) however short-haired breeds such as Labradors and greyhounds may require good grooming just once every two weeks. For dogs with long hair, excessively matted hair may cause discomfort. Dogs can bite or lick to relieve the irritation, which could cause skin irritations.

In addition, foreign objects like grass seeds could be buried within a matted coat and even penetrate the skin, causing an abscess. Brushing your dog regularly keeps mats from becoming an issue. The dogs with short hair benefit from brushing too. Brushing can remove loose hair, dirt, and dust from your dog’s coat, and can extend the interval between baths.

2. Be Careful When Cutting your Dog’s Hair

The majority of dog owners bring their pets to a groomer in order to get their hair cut. If you are careful, you can trim the hair around the eyes of your dog or paws between professional grooming sessions.The trimming of hair around the eyes of your dog will prevent hair that is growing too long from blocking their vision, and also from rubbing against and damaging the eyes of your dog. Make sure your pet is calm and lying down. Take your time and move slowly and exercise extra care when the blades of a scissor are close to the skin. Be sure to encourage your dog’s calm down with treats after you’ve finished. Cutting the hair around the ear canal can increase air circulation and prevent infections in the ear. It is recommended to have this performed by a professional groomer or vet’s office. Keep in mind that it’s possible to cut your pet accidentally using clippers or scissors. Be cautious when trimming. If you’re unsure or prefer not to cut your pet’s hair on your own go to professional grooming services.

3. Make Sure your Dog’s Nails are Properly Cut 

Cut your dog’s nails as you feel them clicking on the flooring in your home. This will keep your dog from suffering from nails that are too long. But, before trimming your dog’s nails for your initial time you’ll require few safety guidelines. Follow the step-by-step instructions to trim your dog’s nails quickly and safely. 

4. Make Sure to Check the Dog’s Skin Before you Groom your Dog 

Skin allergies are common among dogs, causing itching and causing them to scratch chew or scratch their skin. Along with making pets miserable, parasites external to them such as ticks, fleas, and mites are able to transmit diseases or parasites, such as the tapeworm. It is a good idea to inspect your dog’s skin each time you wash them. Begin by running your hands through the coat of your dog, checking its skin for odd bumps or lumps. It is possible to further investigate by cutting the coat in half to look close for redness, sores, and bald spots, as well as rashes and evidence of parasites.

 5. Train your dog to Love Grooming Sessions 

Many dogs, and especially puppies, require stimulation and positive reinforcements at the beginning of introducing them to grooming routines. These tips can help make the initial grooming sessions go without a hitch: Spread a bit of Vegemite on a clean surface and let your puppy or dog lick it off as you wash or brush them. Be patient and give plenty of praise and treats so that your pet will be looking forward to the next time of pampering. Before bathing, lay an anti-slip mat inside the tub to stop the dog from skidding about.

6. Make Sure you Check the Ears of your Dog Regularly

When you groom your dog, ensure you take a closer to look at the ear. The ear infections are very painful if you notice any of the following signs or behaviors; bring your dog to the vet for a visit:

1. The ear’s inside are swollen or humid.
2. The ears are a bit sour (often the scent of an ear infection in a dog smells sweet).
3. The dog shakes its head or rubs its ears.
4. The ears are filled with an entirely different type of discharge than normal (a tiny amount of wax is typical).
5. The dog will yell or shout when you check the dog’s ears.

7. Do not Bathe your Dog as often as you Would Like

A majority of pets with healthy skin require bathing every two months to avoid hygiene issues and unpleasant smells. If you bathe your dog more frequently this may strip natural oils that coat its coat, and dry the skin. If your dog’s smell is unpleasant but isn’t covered in something terrible, then talk to your veterinarian about the issue. The root cause could be tooth decay or skin infection.

While bathing your dog, be aware of these guidelines: 

The skin of a dog has a different pH than humans, which is why it’s not recommended to wash your baby or human hair. Select a shampoo that is soap-free and made for dogs that are mild on the skin. Pour warm water on your pet until it’s thoroughly wet. Then slowly massage it into your coat. Beware of the dog’s mouth, eyes as well as the insides of their ears. Rinse off the shampoo using warm water. Then let your dog shake and then air dry outside, especially if it is pleasant. In colder weather dry your pet by gently drying the coat or blow drying it using the coolest setting. A regular bath, good grooming as well as regular examinations of the ears and skin not just help to ensure your dog’s health but also show your affection for your pet and gives you time for your pet.