Your dog's grooming needs can be simple or extensive, but all dogs require regular grooming.
Keeping your dog's skin and coat clean and healthy is an important part of pet ownership. While some dogs require more extensive grooming than others, all dogs require some level of grooming maintenance.
Consider grooming needs before choosing a new dog
The grooming needs of different dog breeds and breed mixes vary greatly, with some dogs having short, sleek fur and others having thick, curly, continuously growing hair. Grooming can be repetitive, time-consuming and potentially expensive, so before you choose your dog, consider how much time, effort, and money you can put toward grooming.
- Breeds with more than just a basic flat coat need regular trips to a professional groomer to avoid painful and uncomfortable matting and tangling.
- Professional grooming can cost upwards of a hundred dollars for a single groom, so it is important to take that cost into consideration before choosing a dog that needs extensive grooming.
- If you do not maintain your dog’s coat, you will have an unhappy dog and a coat that is impossible to brush or bathe without shaving it off.
Bathing
Bathing is the most basic foundation of grooming and is a must for any dog regardless of its breed or size.
- Always use a mild shampoo that is formulated for dogs.
- Don’t bathe your dog too often, as you can irritate her skin. Bathing every three months for indoor dogs is a basic guideline.
- Bathe your dog indoors whenever the weather is cold and use warm water. An outside garden hose might be tolerable in very hot weather for thicker-coated dogs, but isn’t usually comfortable for most dogs.
Nail trimming
While this can be an unpleasant experience for some dogs and people, it is vital that you keep your dog’s nails trimmed to an appropriate length.
- If you are nervous about trimming your dog’s nails, you’re new to dog care or your dog has a strong aversion or fear of having their nails trimmed, contact a professional groomer or your vet to help guide you at first.
- Make nail trimming a quick, stress-free experience for your dog by teaching your dog that handling her paws and nails is a good thing. Pairing clipping time with treats and a favorite toy can help it become more enjoyable for her.
- You can trim a dog’s nails with dog nail clippers or a nail grinder, which is an electric tool that files a dog’s nails down (a common brand is Dremel.) You will need to get your dog used to either method, as the nail grinder makes a sound and has a sensation that your dog needs to adjust to. Once your dog learns, however, a nail grinder can be an effective tool for at-home nail trims.
- Before starting with nail clippers, be sure to have styptic powder, which is an anti-clotting agent on hand. You will need this in case you accidentally cut the quick, which is a vein that runs into the nail.
- When clipping nails with a nail clipper, be extremely careful to clip only the tip of the nail and to avoid the quick.
- If you accidentally cut into the quick, expect significant bleeding. Immediately apply styptic powder and some pressure to the nail until the bleeding subsides.
Brushing
You should maintain your dog’s healthy coat with regular brushing. This will help prevent tangles in longer-haired dogs, keep your dog’s coat clean, and will improve your dog’s overall coat health.
Some dogs require more intensive brushing than others in order to prevent matting and tangles. There are many types of brushes available, so consider your dog’s coat length and thickness when choosing the best one for your pet. Remember to brush your dog’s sensitive ears and tail — these are some of the first areas that develop mats.
If you have a dog that requires more extensive grooming, consider hiring a reputable groomer in your area.
