Keep your dog's coat clean and healthy
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and their hair is just as varied. Whether long or short, straight or curly, all coats need a proper grooming. The type of grooming and coat care necessary depends on your dog's hair type. Routine grooming and care can help ensure a healthy dog coat.
If you have a dog such as a poodle, cocker spaniel or small terrier, you may need to bring it to the groomer on a regular basis to get clipped. Other dogs with medium length hair will need a good routine brushing, even if they never need to visit a groomer. Others, like pit bull terriers or other short-haired breeds will hardly ever need to be brushed, but will need regular baths to keep their skin in tip-top condition. All dogs benefit from some type of brushing to remove loose hairs, dead skin cells and keep the coat free of dirt and debris, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. In addition, brushing sessions are a good time to check for ticks on dogs and other external parasites.
When you groom your pet at home, it is important to make sure it is an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, you can be sure to achieve this by choosing to groom at a time when you know the dog will be calm. After a walk or right before bedtime might be good choices. Until your dog is comfortable with this process, limit the sessions to between five and ten minutes.
