Dog Grooming Hints

by heraldpost

By bringing a dog into your domestic household, you are responsible to take care of its needs. Other than feeding it, its cleanliness and health are essential to its well-being and also not pose as a hazard to your home. As more owners are treating their pets as part of the family, dog grooming supplies are abounding in the market to cater to needs to pamper these animals. Before jumping headlong into the ocean of products, perhaps a step back is required to ascertain what you actually require to stock up for basic grooming needs.

Read up on what supplies are recommended to maintain a healthy dog based on type of breed. Normally a brush or comb is sufficient to remove knots and keep your pet’s coat shiny and tangle-free. A suitable pair of shampoo and conditioner to suit your dog’s skin and fur type is next on the list. If your animal is prone to fleas and ticks, medicated versions may be more suitable as advised by your local vet. Additional types of pest prevention and control are also available in the form of sprays and powders. To keep your dog’s hair in order and out of its eyes, a pair of sharp scissors is ideal for trimming sessions. Electric razors or shears make good alternatives in case your dog’s thick and heavy coat is too much work for the scissors.

Ears are an area worthy of attention as onset infection makes an unhappy and smelly pooch. Clean your dog’s ears as part of its bath routine. Ear wipes, drops and medicated powders thus make great additions to dog grooming supplies. Other than odors resulting from infected ears, bad breath is also a norm. Give its teeth a good brushing with a toothbrush of suitable bristles, and toothpaste. As your dog’s teeth get a good cleaning, you also enjoy some play time with him.

To maintain a healthy dog with a breath to match, more holistic approaches are catching on. Since an animal’s diet plays a major role in ensuring a long and disease-free life, natural foods are touted as better alternatives. Free from artificial additives, such foods have their origins in plants, animals or minerals. Going a step further, organic foods have evolved from being hype to reality. As pet owners treat themselves to these foods, they feel their pets deserve the same.

by Barboni

The old adage of a dog being man’s best friend is possibly a driving force in people bringing dogs into their lives. Although there are many kinds of domesticated animals, a dog is still the only one who welcomes his owner with full and unerring loyalty. It sees you as the alpha and treats you accordingly. Even though if you just saw your dog a short while back, it still wag its tail in joy every time it sees you.

In a bid to bring man closer to his pet, dog grooming supply shops and sites have sprung up all over the world. Apparently there is good business to be had in this niche market. Most owners normally stock up on the basics such as shampoo, conditioner, a good leash and collar, with perhaps a chew toy or Frisbee for a spin in the park. The more enthusiastic ones may invest in proper dog grooming kits which contain clippers, scissors, trimmers and the works. Perhaps things start to go overboard if you actually get a specialized hair dryer to dry out your dog’s thick coat of fur. Even though there’s a reason to get one, the natural method of air drying is certainly more than sufficient.

If your dog has a serious case of bad breath, providers of dog grooming supply offer dog colognes and deodorants to sweeten the air. Although a change in diet and hygiene may help to solve this problem, perhaps die-hard cases may warrant a need for these air fresheners. In case these items cause allergic reactions to the animal as well as those in its vicinity, it’s best to consult your vet for a better method to address breath issues. In the event you’re planning a makeover for your pet, you can choose to tint or highlight its fur. Add some paint to its nails to complement the whole makeover.

As you accumulate your collection of dog grooming kits and other accessories, you’ll probably need an organizer to store them all. You have a choice of a simple bag to metal cases similar to those used by make-up artists. There are even roll-away cases and cabinets on wheels.

by Barboni

As dog owners, we understand grooming is part of caring for our four-legged family members. We brush them, bathe them, and clip their fur but when was the last time you brushed your dogs teeth? Humans brush their teeth everyday most twice daily as well as visit the dentist at least twice a year. Generally, for our dogs, they only get their teeth cleaned when they hit the six or seven year mark and by then it can be too late to correct serious problems.

Dogs suffer from the same mouth diseases as humans. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs suffer from periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a serious gum problem and a step up (worse) from gingivitis, which can lead to a host of health issues.

Health issues that can arise from neglecting your dogs teeth:

Multiple Infections Heart Disease Bad Breath Tooth Loss

There are several ways to combat the issue of brushing your dogs teeth. The first is to make dog dental care part of your grooming process every week. When you start brushing teeth, starting young is best. Older dogs, no matter how enticing the flavor, do not enjoy the process and would rather eat the dog toothbrush than let you actually brush their teeth.

For most owners the later is the case and if this sounds like you, try using dental treats in between dog dental care during your professional grooming appointments. Using one treat a day, will reduce the chances of disease. Although these treats are a little pricey, the cost is nothing compared to the cost of a full day at the vet for a teeth cleaning and scraping.

Second, for those do it yourself dog groomers, the dog toothbrush on the market that works great with one stroke is a three-sided dog toothbrush. It looks like something made for someone not of this planet but, it makes the job of faster and easier giving you the opportunity to do a thorough job.

Regardless of whether you brush your dogs teeth, have your groomer brush, or take your dog to the vet for cleaning, brushing your dogs teeth is one of the most important components in dog grooming. One of the wonderful aspects of dog ownership is being greeted every day with those sloppy kisses, wouldnt it be perfect if their breath was always fresh. Extend your dogs life by taking an interest in dog dental care.

More Dog Grooming Articles

by Barboni

Article by Paolo Basauri

Dog Grooming – It’s Not Just for Poodles Anymore

Dog grooming is not simply an aesthetic bonus for our canine friends. Maintaining a regular grooming schedule will help to keep your dog both happy and healthy. Routine dog grooming will ensure that your dog is free of parasites, has healthy skin and a shiny coat, and has good dental health. Of course, the aesthetic benefits are also a plus. Only a true dog lover wants to be around a dirty, stinky dog with bad breath. Proper dog grooming will bring out the best in man’s best friend.

What’s Involved in Dog Grooming?

While dog grooming can be performed at home, the best results can be achieved via a professional dog groomer. A thorough dog grooming session takes care of all the hygienic needs of your dog. The grooming process generally takes a hour or two to accomplish, but the results are well worth the time spent. A typical dog grooming session consists of the following treatments for your dog:

* A thorough bath including flea dip (if applicable)* A complete coat brushing to eliminate tangles and matted hair* Styling as requested (can include accessories such as bows, rhinestones and bandannas)* Nail trimming* Ear cleaning and examination for parasites* Teeth cleaning

How Often Should Dog Grooming Take Place?

The frequency with which your should groom your dog is dependent on the breed and coat quality of your dog. Some breeds are considered high maintenance in terms of dog grooming, while others need only periodic care. Before you purchase or adopt a dog, it’s a good idea to find out how much grooming it will require. A basic guide to dog grooming by coat type is as follows:

* Curly-Coated – Dogs such as Poodles have a dense and curly coat that is fairly resistant to water. These dogs will require dog grooming at least once every two months, or six times a year.

* Short-Coated – Dogs with short dense coats, such as Corgis and Boxers need a weekly brushing, but do not need to be bathed more than once or twice a year unless a problem arises.

* Long-Coated – Long coated dogs, such as Collies and Sheepdogs, require a daily brushing to keep their coats in good condition. Additional dog grooming including regular bathing, should be administered once every other month.

* Silky-Coated – Afghans, Cocker Spaniels and Pekinese dogs belong to the silky coated dog group. These dogs require daily brushing and a thorough dog grooming session four times a year.

* Wire-Coated – Wire coated dogs require considerable dog grooming. Dogs such as Terriers and Schnauzers should be bathed every three months and have their coat clipped every six to eight weeks.

* Smooth-Coated – The smooth-coated class of dogs includes Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers and Dachshunds. These are very low maintenance dogs and require only weekly brushing and bathing as necessary.

Whatever type of dog you own, it’s important to see that proper grooming is maintained for the health and happiness of your canine companion.

A dog groomers day. Grooming a Lhasa good vs, hyde. A great example of how to handle a bad dog. Fetching fur pet salon
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A smelly dog can be almost offensive, and the odor can be caused by many factors. It may just be that the dog is unclean and needs a bath, or it could be the symptom of an underlying problem. Before learning how to deal with a smelly dog, you need to know what is causing the odor.

UNCLEANLINESS

Dogs love running around and rolling in everything! It is a sign of marking their territory, leaving their scent through glands in the skin. It is also a way of removing dead hair when they are moulting. Sometimes, however, they will roll in mud, dust, fox or badger mess and worse. It clings to their hair, especially if they are a long or wire haired breed and makes them smell awful.

Regular bathing is not always necessary but is a good idea, to keep your dogs coat nice and healthy. Once a month is regular enough, as dogs generally keep themselves well groomed with their tongues and teeth.

Use a special dog shampoo available from your local pet shop or vet. Human shampoos, even some baby shampoos, can be too harsh for their skin and cause allergic reactions such as rashes and hair loss. Make sure you rinse thoroughly to remove all of the soap. There are herbal shampoos available, which claim to help deter parasites and flies, but do not rely on these alone.

Bad breath can sometimes become very severe. Ensure you brush your dogs teeth regularly to prevent this. Some pastes are available that you can simply place on their foods. Cleaning their teeth will not only freshen their breath but also promote good dental hygiene and lessen the chance of dental problems. Giving dogs biscuits every day can also help.

UNDERLYING PROBLEM?

An infection is the most common source of a bad smell. Burst abscesses have a foul almost rotten odor to them. When grooming your dog look for signs of an abscess. A small swelling that seems tender to the touch, or a cut that seeps pus or serum is a sign that an abscess is or has formed. Antibiotics usually clear these up pretty sharpish.

Blocked anal glands can also cause dogs to smell. They tend to scoot around on their behinds and will wash their perineum constantly. This can also be a sign of worms though. Your vet will be able to unblock the gland for you. Sometimes they can become infected, but again a short course of antibiotics will help clear this up. Some dogs are prone to getting blocked anal glands and need regular attention.

If your dogs breath smells it could be, as mentioned above, that they simply need their teeth cleaned, however it can also be a sign that a tooth needs removing. If teeth are left uncleaned and become rotten, the infection can get into the blood stream and cause more problems for organs such as the kidneys and liver. If the smell becomes like ketones, or pear-drops, it is a sign of kidney disease. This will be diagnosed with the aid of blood and urine tests.

Flatulence, or wind, can be caused by dietary problems. Try changing their food slowly and see if this helps. If not your vet will happily perform an allergy test to help determine which foods your dog should avoid.

GENERALLY SMELLY DOG

Unfortunately some dogs are just prone to being smelly. Following these simple rules may help:

1. Regular grooming and teeth brushing. If necessary hire a professional groomer.

2. Watch their diet. Cut out any foods that seem to cause problems with gas, constipation or diarrhea.

3. Regular check ups. Once a year, when your dog is due its vaccination, the vet will give them a general check over. Ask them to check the dog’s anal glands and point out any smelly issues.