Dog Care: Dog Grooming
As dog owners and people who care deeply for animals and
wildlife, we wanted our Dog Encyclopedia to be a website that could
empower pet owners to create the most positive, loving
environment for their dogs. Dog Encyclopedia realizes that owning a
dog is like adding a new member to your family.
Dog grooming is one of your
dog's basic needs and an important part of dog ownership. Just like
people, dogs need physical maintenance to look and feel their best.
Most dogs enjoy being brushed, and sessions will strengthen the bond
with your dog while maintaining a healthy coat. A dog’s minimum
brushing needs depend on hair type. Long-haired dogs usually require
daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling of hair.
Medium-haired dogs may be prone to matting and tangles and should be
brushed at least weekly. Short-haired dogs can typically go up to a
month in-between brushing. Regardless of hair type, you can brush
your dog daily - especially if he enjoys it. More frequent brushing
during shedding season can help prevent hair build-up and excess
shedding. Mats are nasty entanglements of hair that may involve the
topcoat, undercoat, dirt, burrs, loose hair hanging around and just
about anything your dog may have gotten into. They can be quite
damaging and even painful for your dog, so it is important to remove
them before they become more serious matters! Keeping your dog free
of hair mats is, unfortunately, an ongoing task that begins by
establishing a foundation of regular grooming habits. Dead hair is a
breeding ground for mats. A coat that is brushed and clean stays in
better condition and is less likely to develop them. Dogs with
continuously growing hair, such as the
Poodle or
Shih Tzu, typically
need their hair cut every 2-4 weeks depending on the breed of the
dog and the style of the cut. This task is often best left to
professional groomers, though many dog owners are able to learn some
basic maintenance haircuts.
Nail Trimming
Most dogs do not like having their claws trimmed. Start trimming
claws in young animals so that they get used to the process. Some
dogs will happily sit in your lap or on a table while you trim their
claws but many require some form of restraint. Most dogs dislike
even having their paws handled. Dog owners are often uncomfortable
with the process for fear of hurting their dogs. Dogs will develop an aversion to nail trimming once they experience pain from
it. The best way to avoid this is to learn how to trim nails correctly and
exercise caution. Ideally, a veterinary technician, vet, or groomer should teach
you how to trim your dog’s nails. Most dogs need monthly nail trims, but your
dog may need more or less depending on the rate of growth. The claws on the rear
feet are often shorter and require less frequent trimming than those
on the front feet. Always remember to trim the dew claws that are located on the inner surface of
the paw unless they were removed as a puppy. Some breeds of dogs such as
the St. Bernard have 2 sets of dew claws on the rear feet. Light colored claws
are easier to cut than dark claws as the blood vessels and nerves
that supply the toenail, called the quick, is easier to see. An alternative to nail trimming is the use of a rotary tool to file down nails.
Bathing
Bath time does not mean fun to most dogs and owners. It may bring
forth an image of a wet dog running from the tub, dripping all over
the house. Bathing does not have to be this way if your dog can get
used to it. Most dogs should be bathed monthly, but bathing as
often as once a week is not considered harmful. Always use a
soap-free shampoo that is intended for dogs. Depending on the
condition of your dog’s skin and coat, your veterinarian may
recommend a specific shampoo. A tub is usually the easiest place to
bathe your dog, though very small dogs may be bathed in a sink. If
you will be using your tub at home, it might take a toll on your
back and knees. Many pet supply stores offer self-service dog wash
tub you can use for a small fee. It's less expensive than paying for
a groomer, and you can avoid a mess in your house. If you choose to
bathe your dog outside, remember that cold water is no fun for most
dogs. You may want to hook up the hot water so your dog can get a
nice warm bath. Brush your dog out before the bath begins. Be sure
to remove any tangles or mats, as these are harder to deal with once
your dog is wet. Soak your dog from head to toe with warm water
using a hand-held sprayer. Always test the temperature on your arm
before spraying your dog. Be sure to avoid the eyes and inside of
the ears. Many dogs have water-resistant coats, so a thorough
soaking is usually necessary to penetrate the hair coat. Apply
shampoo to your dog's coat. Avoid the eyes, face, and genital area.
Use enough shampoo to create a lather. Apply small amounts of
shampoo at a time to avoid using too much. Be sure to thoroughly
rinse out the shampoo from your dog's coat.
Ear Care
Your dog’s ears can be a haven for bacteria and yeast if not kept clean. Some
dogs can go their whole lives without ear problems, and the only routine ear
cleaning needed is during the monthly bath. Other dogs have chronic ear disease
and require multiple cleanings a day. Dogs have many more ear problems than
cats. Dogs with heavy floppy ears have the most problems with ear
infections. Some breeds have lots of hair in and around the ear
canal which causes them to develop ear infections. Dogs that spend
lots of time in the water also are prone to developing ear
infections. If
your dog has excess debris or foul odor in his ears, your veterinarian will
likely prescribe special ear cleaners and medications. Ear cleaning and medicating can be messy so cover good clothes and work on a
surface that is easy to clean. Most dogs do not like having their ears cleaned. Some dogs will happily
sit in your lap or on a table while you clean or medicate their ears but many
require some form of restraint. Ear cleaning solutions contain various
chemicals and may contain drying agents. Check with your
veterinarian regarding which product to use and how often to use it.
Excessive ear cleaning can be damaging to the ear. The ear wash
solution is squeezed into the ear canal. A few drops of ear wash
should be applied to the inside of the ear flap and then the tip of
the ear wash bottle should be inserted a few millimeters into the
ear canal, to place some of the wash solution down the ear canal. Be
careful not to tightly force the tip of the bottle into the ear
canal as forceful squeezing of the bottle with the bottle wedged
into the ear canal could rupture the ear drum. The dog will usually shake its head as soon as the wash is inserted into the
ear, shaking out much of the solution. Massage the base of the ear to distribute
the wash solution throughout the ear canal. Dogs usually like this
part. Use cotton balls to remove discharge from the inner side of
the ear flap.