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Grooming For Dog Health

from: Kyle Besser

Grooming your dog is important for more than aesthetic purposes. Grooming is important for your dog's overall health, both physical and psychological. Dogs need to be groomed to have proper hygiene. Grooming generates more bonding time with your dog to create a stronger relationship.

It is best to train a dog to be groomed at an early age, but an untrained dog can still be taught to accept all the attention received during grooming. Train your dog to get used to his body parts being handled and brushed.

You don't need to go to a professional groomer, unless you don't have the time or the interest to groom your dog. Depending on the breed and type of coat the dog has, grooming can be very time consuming and requires a lot of patience and skill. If you do take your dog to a professional groomer, be sure to select a groomer that handles the animals gently.

It is a good idea to do a daily examination of your dog's body. Look for bumps, hot spots, inflammation, irritation and vegetative matter. Check for parasites such as fleas and ticks in his coat. Remove fleas by using a fine toothed comb. Ticks need to be tweezed off. Eyes and ears should be checked. Paws should also be checked, especially for dogs that spend time running outdoors.

Frequent brushing is good for the dog's coat. Brushing removes dead hair, which helps eliminate odor. Grooming during shedding encourages growth of the new coat. A good time to brush is after physical exercise. During brushing is also a good time to examine the dog's body fleas, ticks and any other skin irritations.

Brushing helps avoid mats and tangles forming in the dog's coat. Dog hair can interlace with shedding hair, dirt and grime and form mats and tangles that can be difficult to untangle. Mats and tangles can be very painful for your dog and may lead to skin inflammation.

Nails should be trimmed every month. If nails are not trimmed regularly, eventually your dog may have a hard time walking, especially those dogs who are not active enough to wear the nails down naturally. Trim the nails carefully so as to not cut into the quick.

Dental hygiene should be maintained by regular brushing of the teeth using dog toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles. Chewing helps to keep teeth clean, so providing the dog with chews and chew toys can help keep the teeth clean and healthy.

A damp cotton cloth can be used to remove mucus from your dog's eyes. A coarse cloth is appropriate for cleaning your dog's face. Wipe carefully around the eyes to not cause any damage.

Before bathing your dog, thoroughly brush away dead hair and debris and clear all tangles and mats in his coat. Use warm water. Apply a small amount of pet shampoo. Target areas are the eyes, ears, rectum, toes and under the chin. Avoid getting soapy water in his eyes and ears. You might want to apply a coat conditioner after bathing, depending on the type of coat. Different breeds require varying bath frequency. Consult your vet or the local pet grooming shop if you're not sure how often you should bath your dog.

It is recommended that a dog owner has his own home grooming kit. A good kit includes a grooming brush, clippers for dog toenails, combs with varying teeth (fine, medium and coarse), dog shampoo, coat conditioner, and a coarse rag.