7 Home Grooming Recommendations For Your Dog

With our grooming and bathing techniques, you can keep your dog looking and feeling terrific.



Regular grooming is essential for dogs of all breeds because it keeps their coat lustrous and tangle-free and allows you to check for parasite infestations and skin concerns, enhancing their general hygiene. Grooming can also be a one-on-one bonding activity for you and your pet.

Even dogs with short, low-maintenance coats require brushing, bathing, and nail cutting regularly. Dogs with longer coats may require cutting and hair trimming as well. While you may want to schedule regular sessions with a professional groomer, especially for hair clipping and cutting, these seven recommendations will help you develop an at-home grooming regimen with your dog.

1. Brush your dog's coat regularly to prevent matting.

Your dog's coat, regardless of breed, will require frequent brushing to keep it sleek and glossy. The quantity of brushing your dog needs every week is determined by the length and texture of his coat. Longhaired varieties, such as golden retrievers and collies, will require more frequent brushing (at least once a week, if not every other day), but shorthaired species, such as greyhounds or labradors, may only require a decent brushing every other week.

Badly matted hair can be painful for longhaired pets. Dogs will lick or bite themselves when they are irritated, which can lead to skin infections. Foreign bodies, such as grass seeds, can lie inside a matted coat and burrow into the skin, causing an abscess. Brushing your longhaired dog regularly keeps matting at bay.

Brushing is also beneficial for shorthaired dogs. Brushing your dog's coat eliminates loose hair, grime, and dander, allowing you to go longer between baths.

2. Trim your dog's hair with care.

The majority of dog owners choose to get their dog's hair clipped by a groomer. However, with caution, you can cut excessive hair around your dog's eyes or paws in between professional groomings. Trimming the hair around your dog's eyes can help prevent overgrown hair from obstructing its eyesight and rubbing against, damaging, and hurting its eyes.

Wait until your dog is quiet and, ideally, lying down. When using scissor blades close to the skin, move carefully and calmly. After you've finished, remember to reinforce your dog's tranquility with a treat.

Trimming the hair inside the ears can assist improve air circulation and avoid ear infections. However, this is best done by a professional groomer or at your veterinarian's office.

Remember that it is quite easy to cut your pet with scissors or clippers. Always use caution when trimming, and if you're frightened or prefer not to do it yourself, get a professional grooming service.

3. Trim your dog's nails safely.

When you hear your dog's nails clicking on your hard floors, trim them. This will keep your dog from being bothered by extremely long nails. However, before you cut your dog's nails for the first time, you should be aware of a few safety precautions. Get comprehensive step-by-step instructions to safely and easily trim your dog's nails.

4. While grooming your dog, examine his skin.

Allergic skin illnesses in dogs are widespread, causing itching and driving them to scratch, chew, or lick their skin. External parasites such as fleas, ticks, lice, and mites can transmit diseases or other parasites such as the tapeworm in addition to making your pet unpleasant.

Make it a practice to inspect your dog's skin every time you groom him. Begin by running your fingers through your dog's coat, feeling for any strange lumps or bumps on its skin. Parting the coat allows you to check the skin more closely for sores, redness, rashes, bald areas, and indications of parasitic infestations.

5. Make grooming sessions enjoyable for your dog.

When first starting a grooming practice, many dogs, especially puppies, require encouragement and positive reinforcement.

These pointers will make your first few at-home grooming sessions go more smoothly:

• Allow your dog or puppy to lick some Vegemite from a washable surface while you brush or wash them.
• Take it slowly and lavish your pet with gifts and praise so that he looks forward to his next pampering session.
• Lay a slip-proof mat in the tub before bathing your dog to keep him from sliding about.

6. Inspect your dog's ears regularly.

Remember to pay particular attention to your dog's ears when grooming it. Ear infections can be uncomfortable, so send your dog to the doctor if you notice any of the following changes or behaviors:

• The ear canals are inflamed or wet.
• The ears smell strange (the fragrance of a dog ear infection is generally nice).
• Your dog is shaking its head or scratching its ears.
• The ears have more or a different type of discharge than usual (a small amount of wax is normal).
• When you examine the dog's ears, it whines or yelps.

7. Avoid bathing your dog too frequently.

To prevent hygiene difficulties and bad odors, most dogs with good skin only need to be bathed every couple of months. Bathing your dog more frequently than this might deplete the natural oils from its coat and cause it to dry out.

If your dog smells horrible but hasn't rolled in anything dangerous, consult with your veterinarian. Underlying problems could point to tooth disease or a skin infection.

Keep the following guidelines in mind when bathing your dog:

• Because the pH level of a dog's skin differs from that of people, never put the baby or human shampoo on him. Choose a soap-free shampoo designed specifically for dogs that are gentle on their skin.
• Gently massage the shampoo into your dog's coat after fully wetting it with warm water. Stay away from the dog's eyes, mouth, and the insides of its ears.
• Rinse the shampoo away with warm water, then allow your dog to shake and air dry outside if the weather permits. In chilly temperatures, gently towel-dry the dog's coat or blow-dry it on the coolest setting.

Grooming, washing, and frequent skin and ear checks not only keep your dog healthy, but they also reflect your affection for your pet and provide you with precious time together.