Grooming | dambf

Why do we Groom our Dogs?

Grooming your dog is not a sigh to show your wealthiness. Grooming keeps your dog healthy!
Their skin and fur will be clean and it prevents skin infections and shedding. You can see that dogs lick themselves like cats. But unlike cats, dogs do not have the right saliva to keep its skin clean, and moreover, their saliva makes their body stinky.

Dogs' skin are very delicate; they can have many skin and fur conditions; dry, scaly skin, red patches, dry patches, brittle fur, tangled fur (which causes a lot of shedding), etc. Once groomed, their skin will be moist, soft and healthy, where as his fur will be smooth, silky and tangle free.

There are other things that can cause harm to dogs as well; in the ears, paws and mouth. We will discuss this further below.

Brushing their fur

The dog’s fur is the one factor that gives your dog a better overall impression.

You need to be frequently brush to make their fur not tangled into knots, increase owner-pet bond, prevents bacterial build-up and decrease the amount of fur shedding.

Dogs shed their fur naturally – like humans – as their coat is replaced with new hair follicles.

However, for short-haired dogs – for example Beagles – brushing is not really necessary because the fur are not long enough to be tangled.

Removing their Ear Wax

It is important to clean your buddies’ ear to prevent skin irritation, ear mites, and any other infections.

You can see whether your dog has ear mites or not by looking at their ear wax. Black ear wax indicates the presence of ear mites.

You need to purchase an ear-cleaning solution that can be found in pet supply shops or at the vet. You also need cotton pad – any regular cotton pad, can be those used for removing make-up – to wipe the dog’s ear with. Asides from cotton pads, you also have the options to use cotton balls or pre-moistened ear wipes.

Dog ears are easily damaged just like human ears, therefore, try to avoid using cotton swabs because it will harm the dog’s ears if it gets into their ear canals.

Cutting their nails

Pet dogs are not like wolves or wild dogs that run around freely. Yes, their nails grow but without much running, the nails will not wear down by running or digging.

Naturally, you can let them run in the garden or take them on a stroll down the pavement however running on the pavements can also wear down their paws.

You need to clip their nails using this kind of nail clippers because their nails are obviously different from a human's. (This is just one of the many kinds of clippers)

But do be very careful when cutting their nails. Try not to cut to the quick because it will be painful for the dog and they will bleed since the quick is full of blood vessels.

The quick is seen as the pink part under the nail, just like a human's nail.

Give your dog a bath

Dogs need an occasional bath of at least once a week. Too often is not good for the dog because it can cause the coat to deplete and dries the dog’s skin leading to scratching and irritation.

Before the bath, be sure to brush its fur thoroughly and entangle the knots on its fur beforehand because you would not be able to entangle the knots when they are wet. If the knots are too much out of hand then just remove by cutting.

Baths also help you and your dog to bond!
Dogs love to be touched.

Brush their teeth

Like humans, dogs can liable to get teeth and gum diseases as well. Their teeth need to be cleaned regularly because it is to:

Prevent plaque, tartar and calculus
Prevent infections and diseases
Look for any signs of broken or fractured teeth.

For big dogs, their teeth should be cleaned once every 1-3 years whilst for small dogs it would be once every 6-12 months.

How to cleaning a dog’s teeth?

Brushing at home
- Use a normal toothbrush, finger brush, or gauze to brush your buddy's teeth
  - Brush in a circular motion like brushing your own teeth
  - Do not used human toothpaste!
- Dogs have their own type of toothpaste that can be bought in pet supply stores and at the vets and these toothpastes does not need to be rinsed

Go to the vet and have them do it for you
- When the dog's gums or teeth are in a bad condition (i.e. pale/discoloured gums, cavity, etc.), go to the vet

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