The Basics of Grooming a Healthy and Happy Dog

Aside from good nutrition, proper grooming is the key to a healthier, happier dog. You and your pet can both enjoy the various benefits of grooming, whether you do it at the spa, in your vet's clinic or at home. If you do it correctly and regularly, you even have a chance to bond with your beloved.

Here are tips to help you groom your dog with love and sense:

Coat Brushing

Simply brushing your dog's coat will rid it of debris, dirt, dead hair and unwanted odors from the hair and skin. At the same time, it spreads the natural oils, making the coat healthier and shinier. This should be followed up with combing with a metal comb that gets down to the skin, allowing you to detect any matts that could be starting to form. Be careful though and press very gently, especially if your pup is quite sensitive.

Daily Tooth Brushing

It's ideal to brush your dog's teeth once a day, but even if you do it only twice or thrice a week, that already makes a big difference. But stick to dog toothpaste as human toothpaste can be harmful to them, especially because they can't spit. If you have a hard time brushing your dog's teeth, dental sprays and dental chew treats can come in handy.

Nail Trimming

Just like humans, there are dogs who grow their nails faster than the rest. Some need trimming every six weeks, while others need it twice a month. If this is hardly a task you enjoy, just take your dog to the pros, either at a dog spa or a vet clinic.

Cleaning the Ears

All dogs should get their ears cleaned at least once a month. But if your dog has bigger or longer ears than usual, he may need it more often. There are commercially available dog ear cleaning solutions, but online, you will find lots of "home recipes" that use ingredients like vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. You'll want to know more about veterinarian in cleveland ohio who can do this for you. 

Washing the Face

Dog breeds, such as bulldogs and shar peis, have faces full of skin folds or wrinkles. These areas can build up moisture and create the perfect environment for bacterial growth, skin conditions like dermatitis, and infection potentially. That's the reason such areas need to be always dry and clean. Even eye goop isn't so innocent - when they build up, they can harden and irritate the corner's of the dog's eyes.

Regular Bathing

Lastly, if your pup looks gorgeous but doesn't smell as great, make it a habit to give him regular baths. You will find a whole range of dry shampoos and doggie towelettes in stores today. Certain products even have moisturizers and conditioners that work to give your dog's coat an extra oomph. Do make sure to familiarize yourself with emergency vet care solutions.