For many people, grooming their dog at home is a way to save money. It is also an opportunity for the owner and dog to bond with each other during the process of caring for them. Grooming your own dog can be a lot of fun, but there are some things you should know before starting out. In this article, we will go through 6 tips that will make it easier on both you and your pup!
1. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth Daily
It’s easy to forget but brushing your dog’s teeth daily will help keep their breath smelling fresh and prevent bad things from Happy Licious. Just use a pet toothpaste and brush for about one minute with a focus on the back teeth.
The suggested minimum recommendation is 3 times per week, but we suggest daily brushing if you want to keep your dog’s teeth in the best condition.
To get your dog used to tooth brushing, start as soon as they can eat solid food. This will ensure they are not afraid of the toothbrush and do not associate it with a negative experience.
Additionally, there are things you can do outside of your dog’s mouth that will help them maintain healthy teeth too. For instance, never feed dry food exclusively because this does not clean your dog’s tartar buildup off their teeth and gums as moist foods do; instead, use wet canned or fresh cooked meat as well. If they’re not interested in eating those types of meats, then add water into the mix to make it more enticing for them! Wet high-quality protein sources work wonders on keeping plaque under control while also providing essential vitamins and minerals.
The result? Your dog’s teeth will shine!
2. Trim the Hair Around Their Eyes and Ears
Next, you will want to make sure you regularly trim around your dog’s eyes and ears. This includes the hair that grows on top of their head, around the eyes, and ears.
Shedding is a natural process for dogs because it helps them cool off in the summer months or stay warm during winter ones. It also gets rid of old worn-out hairs to make way for newer replacements! Trimming can help your dog’s shedding process be more efficient by getting caught up on any loose hairs before they end up all over your furniture, clothing, and bedsheets!
If you don’t do this, your dog’s eyes and ears can become irritated. It also keeps their skin and coat in good condition, helps prevent dryness or matting from excess dirt or oil build-up on the fur, moisturizes the skin with natural oils and it removes debris such as dead hair that can irritate your pet’s eyes and ears.
3. Wash Their Paws Before They Come Inside to Keep Dirt Out of Their Fur
Keep your dog’s coat clean by washing their paws before they come inside. This will help keep dirt out of your dog’s fur and prevent it from getting all over the floor or furniture in your house!
This is one of those daily activities to be diligent about. Dirt can also carry harmful organisms and bacteria into your home or make your dog sick.
4. Trim Your Dog’s Nails Regularly
The next tip is to trim your dog’s nails about once a month.
It will help prevent them from scratching up the furniture or tearing at their skin.
Trimming your dog’s nails is an easy way to keep them looking nice and healthy! If your dog’s nails get too long, they can become sharp and painful. To cut back on your dog’s nail trimming, feed them a diet that is high in calcium to help strengthen their nails, so you do not need to cut as much of the quick.
If your dog has black or dark nails, it will be even more difficult for you to see where the blood vessel begins when clipping the nails which means there is a greater chance of accidentally cutting into them! Black dogs require specialized tools because their claws are harder too; ask us about what products we carry if this sounds like something you are dealing with.
5. Give Them a Bath Around Once a Month
Bathing is one of the basic grooming routines you can do. Bathing your dog at least once a month is important because it not only keeps them clean and smelling fresh, it also helps to remove any pests like ticks or fleas.
When you bathe your dog make sure that the shampoo you use is made for dogs; this will be gentler on their skin than human shampoos which can irritate their coat as well as leave a smell behind. We recommend bathing with warm water (not hot) because hotter water can dry out your pet’s skin which could lead to itching and other problems!
After you are done bathing your dog, dry them with a towel. You may want to use a hairdryer for thicker coats, but beware! Using a blow dryer made for humans on a dog can be dangerous and lead to burns.
6. Feed Your Dog High-Quality Food for a Shiny Coat
As a preventative measure to make sure your dog is looking (and feeling) their best, make sure that they are eating high-quality food. A poor diet can lead to a dull coat, dry skin, and other health problems.
Good quality food has the right amount of nutrients to keep your dog’s coat looking healthy and shiny.
Remember, Grooming Time is a Time for Bonding
Grooming isn’t just for making sure your dog looks good, it’s a great way to bond with them.
The time you spend grooming your dog is a quality one-on-one time that can be hard to come by for many families. It is also soothing, which will help keep both of your stress levels down!
Grooming also helps teach responsibility and good manners in young children who are eager to learn how they should treat animals.
So, enjoy this special time with your furry friend!
