6 Health benefits of Regular Dog Grooming

Keeping your dog clean is more than just a pet pampering session. Grooming will no doubt make your pet feel comfortable and free of bad odor but also help you detect any health issues early on such as lumps or wounds on the skin. Whether your pooch has short hair or a long coat, keeping it clean is something that will benefit the overall health of your canine companion.

1. Regular brushing of dog coat will prevent matted hair. For long coat dog breeds, we recommend using WAHL Dog under coat rake dog comb after the brushing session.

An un-groomed coat is a sheer invitation to mats. Matted hair is a tangled mass that pulls the skin and is an extremely uncomfortable condition for the dog. However regular brushing/combing will never let such a situation arise where mats are formed all over the pooch’s body. image-www.thebalance.com

2. No Entry to Fleas and Ticks: Another aspect of grooming involves bathing the pet. How often you need to bathe it will depend upon its coat and breed type. A bath will remove dirt and all the extra oil from the skin, creating a healthy and pleasant-smelling coat. In cases of regular infestation

3. Prune them ‘ Nails: Your dog’s nails need to be trimmed to the correct length to avoid them from getting too long. Long nails are riddled with many problems. To begin with they create discomfort to the dog while walking. As a result the pooch may start to walk in an abnormal fashion on the sides of its paws. This is often the cause of painful arthritis and bone malformations if left unattended. Trimming will also avert a very painful condition where the nails grow into the foot pads of the canine. Pruning also offers a close view of the pet’s feet and helps to highlight some other concerns like cracked/dry paw-pads, tangled fur around the area and swelling.
4. Tooth Brushing for Oral Hygiene: A daily or even a thice a week brushing regimen can save your dog’s teeth from most dental disease and bad breath. Brush your pet dog’s teeth everyday using toothpaste specially designed for dogs. Its best to familiarize the pet to this routine while it is still young.
   

   In the absence of regular brushing bacteria flourishes in the mouth that leads to plaque formation on the teeth. Plague together with pooch’s saliva and mineral deposits in the mouth cause swelling and reddening of the gums. Image – anguspost.com

5. Regular Ear Clean Up Is Important: You will have to at least weekly clean the pet’s ears to prevent ear-infections with the help of ear wipes or cotton balls. For successful cooperation on the part of your dog, reward it with healthy training treats.
   

   Avoid use of cotton swabs as they can be rough on the ears. You can also use gauze for the clean-up process by wrapping it around your finger. You will also require an ear rinse in the process and use it over the cotton ball. Take the wet cotton ball and first clean the outer flap. For inside of the ear wet a fresh cotton ball and wipe the inner area but do not force it too deep lest you may cause hurt to the ear. Image-www.pets4homes.co.uk

6. Helps You To Track Timely Any Oddity: Grooming allows you to spot any lumps, bumps and wounds on the pet’s skin as well as skin/ear infections. It puts you in a better position to identify health issues the dog may be suffering early enough before they turn more serious or fatal. While you are brushing the dog’s coat or running your fingers through its hair, you might feel the presence of lumps in the process that may or may not be cancerous.
   

7. Look at Grooming as a Bonding Time ( Bonus Benefit): Dogs mostly enjoy getting their hair brushed as it feels like an invigorating massage. Plus grooming sessions allow you to spend time with your pet. You can treat them as special stress-free moments that you and your dog share together. End each session with a little reward for your pooch in the form of a tummy or ear rub.

Remember that a dog’s coat is like his suit/clothes; hence it is very vital for his hair to be free of bad odor, ticks, fleas, tangles, dead hair and dirt. Dogs with a double coat or silky hair such as Cocker-Spaniels need a special brushing technique to keep tangles away that involves dividing the coat into different small sections. Brush outwards from the skin and cover each section from head to tail. Depending upon the breed type of your pet you may want to get its hair cut short every once in a while.  A professional groomer will clip your dog’s coat in a safe manner.

Article Resource:

http://www.vetstreet.com/learn/the-importance-of-grooming-your-pet

http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/why-grooming-your-dog-is-great-for-his-health