Grooming Dogs

Grooming our dogs is very important. We should regularly brush, bathe, trim nails, clean ears, clean eyes, brush teeth, and check anal sacs.

Brushing should be done often. Make sure you use the correct type of brush for grooming. There are pin brushes, bristle brushes, slickers, curry combs, rakes, etc. Do some research and find out what will work best for your dog's hair type.

Regular bathing is very important especially if your dog spends most of their time in your home. Use mild shampoos for bathing your dog. If you can have access to warm water for bathing that is beneficial. Always plan to spend more time rinsing your dog that soaping. It is very important to remove all traces of the soap from your dog's coat and skin.

Regularly trim your dog's nails. Nails should be kept short or they can interfere with your dog's gait.

Your dog's ear need to be cleaned at least once a month, some dogs that are prone to ear infections benefit from weekly ear clearning. Use cotton balls or a soft cloth for ear cleaning, be gentle.

Be gentle when you clean your dog's eyes as well. A soft tissue can be used to gently wipe discharge from the inside corner of your dog's eyes.

Your dog's teeth should be cleaned a couple times a week (more often with some dogs). You can use a dog toothbrush, a soft cloth, or your finger. Baking soda is great for cleaning your dog's teeth. Take a small amount of baking soda, add just enough water to make a paste, then apply to your dog's teeth.

Check the anal sacs. If your dog is scooting around after a bowel movement, they may have an impacted anal sac. See your veterinarian for treatment.