Make sure you check the dew claws too as these can cause problems if they get too long, including injuring the pad if they curl around and into the tissue of the pad and are at risk of being damaged if they get too long. Your veterinarian can show you how to safely check the teeth and what to look out for. Dental and gum disease is common and causes pain, discomfort and potentially serious health issues.
Addressing any issues early is very important. The need to bathe your dog and how often will depend on the individual and their coat type, skin, health, as well as their amount and type of activity. You can ask your veterinarian for guidance for your individual dog. When you do need to bathe your dog, this can be done at home in your bath or shower with warm water if it is safe to do so; i. Another option during warm weather is to bathe your dog outside using a garden hose on low pressure, as your dog might enjoy the cool water bath when it is hot.
No matter what method you use, always reward your dog, especially if they are reluctant. Some dogs will need regular trimming or clipping of their hair coat, especially those with long or heavy coats. Dogs who have hair falling over or onto their eyes need this trimmed regularly to allow them to see properly and to prevent irritation to the eyes from the hair. Clipping is important to remove any matts in the hair coat, if these occur.
Clipping will also remove hair from dogs who do not shed their hair e. Since it is necessary to be skilled with using electric clippers safely, it is usually advisable to use a trusted and reputable professional groomer to clip your dog. You can ask your veterinarian for a recommendation or clipping may be able to be performed through your veterinary clinic; this is an especially good option for animals who must be clipped for their own health and welfare but who become stressed when clipped and, therefore, might need sedation to be safely clipped with minimal anxiety.
Some dogs have a double coat which is a thick layer of soft fine hair underneath a courser layer of longer hairs; for example Samoyeds, Australian Shepherds, and Siberian Huskies.
These dogs need some extra care to keep their coats healthy. Dogs with these kinds of coats can be prone to getting matted hair so they need very regular and thorough grooming to remove the thick undercoat hair. They should normally be groomed every day to prevent the build up of dead but not shed hair, the development of matts, and the associated problems like discomfort and inflammation. Dogs with double coats usually need regular bathing; this helps to loosen the hair and some hair will also be removed when you wash them.
It is a good idea to brush the dog once the hair is dry after a bath to remove any loosened hair that remains. There are special combs and brushes designed to get under the top layer of a double or thick coat to the heavy undercoat below. These include undercoat rakes and slickers, wide tooth combs, and de-shedders. Bristle brushes and grooming mits can also be helpful to finish off grooming the top coat.
Ask your veterinarian what is suitable for your dog. It helps to start by brushing through the undercoat and then work your way through the thick undercoat hair to the top coat. For a dog with a short-haired double coat e. For dogs with a long-haired double coat e. Most of the brushing should be done in the direction the hair is growing but gently brushing the hair of the undercoat backwards away from the skin and then afterwards in the direction of the hair growth can also help to loosen the hair if brushing in the direction of the hair growth is not enough alone.
Your groomer may also be able to help you. The more quickly a tick is removed from a dog, the better. Not just for cleanliness but to ensure that they are not dry, cracked, or injured in any way. It can become matted or cause other problems. It should be trimmed to be even with the paw pads or slightly shorter. This must be done carefully to prevent cutting your dog. Small, blunt-edge scissors or a small, narrow clipper blade should be used only after being taught proper procedures by your groomer, breeder, or veterinary staff.
Some dog owners find rotary trimmers a safe alternative to clippers, but it takes more time and your dog will likely require training to tolerate this method. Before you start trimming nails, make sure you have easy access to a product that will stop the nail from bleeding if cut too short, such as a styptic pencil or a cauterizing powder, like Kwik Stop.
Nails should be trimmed regularly to keep them and the quick which supplies blood to the nail from growing too long. Regular trimming can help keep the quick shorter and decrease the chances of cutting it when you are trimming the nails. If your dog has dark toe nails, it is especially difficult to identify where the quick ends.
You may want to seek guidance from your veterinarian before trying to cut dark nails on your own. Is your dog a breed that has hair covering his eyes? If so, clean with a damp cloth and keep the hair trimmed. At the same time, you should take a good look and smell each ear and ear canal. This is often noted shortly after a bath or swimming due to the accumulation of moisture. It is important to thoroughly dry each ear after they get wet.
Plaque starts to build up after 48 hours. You can also try wrapping your finger with gauze or a washcloth. Wipe the teeth and massage the gums.
Dental problems in dogs can lead to other problems, including serious health issues such as heart disease, kidney disease, and more. Get your dog accustomed to having his teeth cleaned regularly.
Always use veterinarian-approved hygiene products on your dog. Many human toothpastes contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Clipping too short can cause extreme pain and bleeding. If you notice any injuries, sores, lacerations, or wounds of any kind on your dog, do not attempt to treat them yourself. Call or schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Grooming professionals have the tools and knowledge to safely groom sensitive areas.
In addition, they know the grooming needs of your breed. Keep your household scissors in the drawer where they belong. One wrong movement from a nervous pup could result in serious injury.
Often, the best way to remove a mat is using your fingers, some dog conditioner, a couple of different types of combs, and a lot of time and patience. Do not spray your dog with non-veterinarian approved scents such as perfume.
A shedding blade works well on shorthaired dogs such as Labradors , getting much of the fine hair off quickly. The important thing, he notes, is to get your dog accustomed to regular brushing and to brush her while she is standing, as the groomer will, rather than lying down. When bathing your dog, use a higher-quality shampoo, as inexpensive versions can have harsh ingredients, said Linda Easton, head of International Professional Groomers, Inc.
She also recommends diluting the shampoo so it is easier to rinse out completely. Now that your dog is washed and brushed, maybe you want to try giving her a trim. If so, be very careful with the scissors, Easton said, and be sure to use the right equipment. Easton recommends using professional shears or clippers and suggests using a No.
Again, start with a dry, clean dog and find a quiet spot free of distractions. Be careful around thin skin, underarms, hocks thigh and hip and where the stifle the joint above the hock in the hind leg meets the belly. Do not allow these areas to enter the spaces on the blade. She recommends using a No. If you feel unsure about shaving your dog at home, consider leaving this step in the grooming process to the experts.
Truting also thinks nail trimming is best done by a pro, but some pet parents might feel confident enough to try. Before using clippers or a nail grinder on your dog, Benesch recommends getting your dog used to the noise of the tool then, if your dog has white nails, clip until you see the pink the quick , and if your dog has black nails, clip a little at a time until you see a solid black dot on the tip.
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