Dog Grooming Hints

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.

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Why Grooming your Dog is Important

Wondered why your neighbor’s spaniel looked so radiant? With a glowing coat and perfect teeth you might think how does he do it? The chances are, that your friend has been grooming his dog by himself but most probably with professional help. Dogs are high on maintenance if you really want the best out of them. Miss out on those regular baths and see the fur become dull. Forget to feed your dog the right diet and see the dog turn sulky, irritable and sickly looking. Do you need to visit the dentist? But of course, and so does your dog. Dogs eat all sorts of meat, bones and well almost anything that you feed them. So, like humans their teeth suffer considerable wear and tear. At times an odd bone may cause damage to their teeth and so a visit to the nearby Vet becomes necessary. The vet will not only look at your dog’s teeth but also conduct a regular check up which would include required inoculation shots. For dogs to remain healthy requires regular exercise. You may not have the time to do it and thus it may well become necessary for you to employ Dog Grooming Services. If you search the internet or your newspapers classified section you will find a number of such companies that offer services to look after your dog. These range from giving your dog a medicinal bath, to providing for a walker’ to clipping nails to providing doggie accoutrements. They even provide you with the right advice as to what sort of food to give your dog, the right sort of vitamins and of course the doggie paraphernalia that you may require from a leash to a kennel. Dog Salons offer even a higher range of services for their well-to-do canine clients. A perfect shampoo and a perfect hair do to go with your dress are some of the common offerings. Grooming your dog is not restricted to just cosmetic makeovers. Well groomed dogs also know their manners. How to trot alongside, sit when ordered, fetch when told to do so and a host of other doggie manners are some of the aspects of a well groomed dog. Teaching these on your own is usually not possible because of the time, patience and professional knowledge required. It is best to employ a dog trainer for this task. Most Dog Grooming Agencies have a trainer also on their payroll or can recommend one to you. So as a proud owner of a prospective well groomed dog, consult the professionals you will never regret the results.