When we get our own dog, there is a huge level of responsibility that comes with that decision. Your dog relies on you to take care of their health and wellbeing as a top priority. There are so many things to consider when caring for a dog, from their diet and healthcare to mental stimulation and exercise.
Another very important thing to consider is taking care of your dog’s grooming needs too. There are many things involved in this, and failing to keep on top of the grooming requirements of dogs could lead to them developing health conditions, especially with certain breeds that need a lot of grooming due to long fur.
Which Breed Is Your Dog?
Figuring out what level of grooming your dog requires must be prefaced with understanding the breed itself. Certain breeds require very little grooming, yet there are some essential things to think about for all dogs, regardless of whether they’re high maintenance.
If your dog is a small breed with certain features like a long, thick coat that would grow over their eyes, this can cause complications with their health if left unmanaged. As well as improving their quality of life and health, it also helps your dog look their best and can also help to improve your bond by spending so much time together.
Bathing Your Dog
You may have already attempted this beforehand, and there’s a strong possibility that it’s not been the most peaceful experience in either your or your dog’s lifetime. However, regular bathing is very important for your dog.
Dogs, even the low-maintenance ones, will rarely keep themselves clean enough, and so they need your help. When it comes to smaller dogs, there is the added benefit of them being easier to control than a strong, large breed. However, you should still consider acquiring a few essential tools to make the job even easier and less stressful.
For example, a sink with a spray nozzle might be an easier way to bathe them than kneeling to wash them in the bath. This will help you to clean them thoroughly. It would also be worth getting a non-skid mat to place in the sink so that they don’t slip and feel uneasy, which can stress them out.
Trimming Their Fur
If your dog’s fur begins to get too long, you’ll want to start trimming their coat, as this can benefit your dog greatly. Certain small breeds have excessive amounts of fur due to the way they’ve been bred, and when buying one of these breeds, you need to be aware of just how much time you’ll need to spend on grooming.
Regular grooming via a professional can be costly, however, and doing it yourself may take some extra time, but it will save you a lot of money in the process. Invest in some clippers and other tools such as combs, oils, and cleaning brushes so that you can give your pooch the best possible care.
You can get these tools from online pet retailers such as Time For Paws. You should also learn about specific grooming tips for your breed, as each will require a different type of trim, and there are also many different styles for specific breeds.
Cleaning Their Eyes And Ears
One thing pet owners forget about when grooming their pets is keeping their eyes and ears clean. Especially with small dogs that have a lot of fur around their ears and eyes, this can increase their risk of developing infections.
As well as keeping fur away from their eyes and ears via trimming, you should check to see if there are any signs of infection or irritation regularly. Simply observing your dog see if they’re uncomfortable and are often scratching and directly checking them for redness or discharge can help you to catch these issues early.
Not only can an infection be irritating for your dog to deal with, but left untreated, these can become serious problems.
Brushing Their Teeth
Similar to us, dogs only get two sets of teeth in their lifetimes, and it’s very common for you to find their puppy teeth lying around the house or stuck in their chew toys. Losing their first set is perfectly natural, but it’s important to take care of their second set.
Our dogs’ teeth can, like our own, get tooth decay. Plaque and tartar can lead to gum disease and tooth decay, causing pain and discomfort for our canine friends. You can brush your dog’s teeth using specially designed canine toothpaste and a toothbrush to reduce these problems.
The chances are they’re not going to enjoy this much, but you don’t need to do it twice a day. If you manage to develop this into a daily routine for them and they enjoy it, then perfect.
However, if you can, try to attempt this at least three times a week for the best results. It’s important to speak to your vet about this as they will be able to provide you with specific advice on this too.
