Dog Grooming - Process to Maintain a Healthy Coat | Dogs

By: Matthew Hick

Most people wouldn’t think to go a day or two without out combing their hair, let alone a week or two. Whether your dog has short or long hair, he still requires grooming to maintain a healthy, shiny coat.

It is important to comb or brush his hair, inspect his coat and bathe him as required. This will prevent his hair from tangling and becoming matted. Tangled and matted hair will be uncomfortable for your pet, and in a worse case scenario, affect his health adversely. They can create sores, making it hurt for your pet to be touched. Regular grooming will keep your pet looking good and feeling good.

In addition to preventing tangling, brushing a dog’s coat is an ideal way to distribute the animal’s natural oils. In doing so, it also removes loose hair, stimulates the skin, loosens dirt and dander, as well as, any other materials which may have become stuck in it. When grooming, you should also check the dog’s skin for any signs of inflammation, infection, irritation or parasite infestation.

Dogs with shorter haired coats require less grooming than dogs with longer haired coats but they do require some attention. Many shorthaired dogs have a dandruff problem from frequent shedding. They require daily brushing. You should use a soft bristled brush on shorthaired dogs, or a hound glove with short wire bristles in the palm. This will remove the dead hair and dirt. Follow up with a soft cloth to wipe any remaining loose hair. If using a comb, choose a fine toothed one. Begin with the head and work your way down the dog’s body to its tail and legs.

Dogs with longer hair will require more frequent grooming sessions. A short time every day to accomplish this will make the task easier. Once again, start at the head and brush or comb the direction of the dog’s hair. For dogs with a thick undercoat, lift the hair and brush under the coat to remove dead hair. Wire pin or slicker brushes are ideal for longer coats, as the brush should have long firm bristles to pull the dead hair. And if using a comb after the brushing, a wide toothed comb is the better option.

As a general rule, dogs should not be bathed more than three or four times a year unless excessively dirty. More frequent bathing will remove their protective natural oils and cause a dandruff problem. Those with long silky coats may require weekly bathing. Before bathing a dog, it is important to brush its coat well to remove dead, loose hair, as well as, loosen tangles or mattes. You can use any gentle, tearless dog shampoo. If your dog has skin conditions or fleas you may need to use a special shampoo. Make sure you don’t get shampoo in his eyes and to rinse thoroughly. It is important to remove all shampoo so as to not cause itching, flaking and skin problems. Then, wrap the dog in a towel and dry. You can blow dry on the lowest setting possible with the blow dryer far enough away from the dog, so it won’t get burned.

Another part of the grooming process is to clip the dog’s toenails. Use clippers and be careful not to cut to the quick, which is where the blood supply ends. Make sure you have some styptic powder on hand in case you do cut into the quick. This will stop the bleeding. Also, make sure you brush your dog’s teeth. Use soft bristled toothbrush and dog toothpaste.

This is also a good time to inspect and clean your dog’s ears. Slightly wet a cotton ball, with an ear cleaner, and wipe the folds of the skin. If you notice a foul smell or wax buildup, then you should have your veterinarian check for possible infection.

The grooming process may seem like a chore, but it can be a positive experience for both you and your pet. It is an ideal way to keep your companion healthy. The interaction that comes with this will turn this chore into an enjoyable and bonding experience for you both.