5 Essential Dog Grooming Practices for Pet Health

dog grooming practices, dog grooming, dog bathDog grooming often gets a reputation as a “luxury” service or something we only need to do after our pup takes a dip in a mud puddle. But failing to properly groom your dog can have major affects on your dog’s health, including disease and discomfort. To keep your pet happy and healthy, it’s important to engage in consistent grooming sessions to maintain their level of cleanliness. Here are five essential dog grooming practices that every dog owner needs to follow.

1. Regularly Check Their Eyes, Ears, & Teeth

All responsible dog owners do regular check-ups for their dog’s eyes, ears, and teeth. When checking their eyes, look out for redness, cloudiness, or tearing that might indicate problems like glaucoma, a scratched cornea, or dry eye. While cleaning out ears with a cotton ball or ear cleaner, inspect them for any smell, waxy build-up, or redness. Daily teeth brushing is deal, but healthy pups can manage with just three days a week. Scope out any broken or loose teeth or recessed gums.

2. Trim Nails At Least Once a Month

Trimming your dog’s nails is essential to their overall health. If left uncared for, nails can grow too long and begin to chip or break, causing your dog pain. Long nails can also cause arthritis due to the nails pushing toe bones into unnatural positions. Trimming also becomes more difficult the longer you wait between sessions and can cause the nails to bleed. To keep nails at a healthy length, it’s important to trim nails at least once or twice a month. Also remember that cutting dog’s nails too short can damage blood vessels and veins present at the base of their nails.

3. Use the Right Brush for Your Breed

Different dog breeds have different coats of fur, so make sure you’re using the right brush for their unique needs. My Pet Warehouse has a great article on the best brush for your dog to help you decide what grooming tool suits your needs. Brushing your dog regularly reduces shedding, prevents and removes matted hair, promotes bonding, and stimulates healthy oil production. Brushing is also a great opportunity to examine your pup’s skin and fur for any abnormalities like lumps or spots.

4. Bathe Regularly with Dog Shampoo

When it comes to giving your dogs a bath, beware of using any human products. Dog and human skin have different pH balances, which means human shampoo can dry out your dog’s skin and leave them vulnerable to parasites. To make things easier when washing your dog, you should always brush first to pick apart any mat-like coats of fur.  This helps clean the overall coat. Rinse your dog thoroughly to prevent shampoo being left on the dog and make sure to blow dry to help prevent mats from coming back.

5. Inspect Fur for Ticks, Fleas, or Lice

Checking for these tiny little monsters can be a pain, but it’s absolutely necessary. These insects are so small that they are sometimes mistaken for dirt, but a thorough inspection should allow you to find them. It’s best to perform these checks frequently (especially after your dog spends a long time outdoors) to catch the problem early and avoid infestations. Be sure to also use a flea and tick prevention technique, whether it’s a collar, topic treatment, oral tablet, or spray, to help stop the problem before it starts.

As we tell any child before they receive their first puppy, a dog is a big responsibility! Before adopting a dog, make sure you have the time and resources to commit to their basic care and health. Following these essential dog grooming practices will help ensure that your pup stays happy and healthy – don’t let them down!

22 Comments

  1. Gerty Gift on July 9, 2018 at 10:22 am

    I appreciate what you said about trimming their nails at least once a month. I didn’t realize that this could end up causing them so much pain if ignored or that it could even make them bleed. I’ll be sure to get some help with trimming our dogs nails until I feel comfortable enough to do it on my own.

  2. Russell Delacruz on September 7, 2018 at 10:20 am

    These grooming tips should be followed by every dog owners. Thanks for sharing.

  3. merrilllynch.loginni.com on September 16, 2018 at 4:08 pm

    Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and the rest of the site
    is also very good.

  4. Robert Chase on October 21, 2018 at 1:41 am

    Great explanation!!! Dogs are the best friends in my daily life. I maintain this routine to care about my dog. A dog is my family members to it is safety depends on me, I have performed following task for caring it.
    1)Provide Balance diet
    2)Daily exercise
    3)Vaccine for different disease
    4)Neat & clean environment for it movement
    5)Brush and groom regularly

  5. Rhianna Hawk on November 14, 2018 at 11:54 am

    I have a somewhat large husky that has very thick fur that I have trouble keeping groomed myself, and I’m considering getting her a professional grooming service. It’s good to know that a grooming service works as a sort of health checkup, as well, and I’ll make sure to get a service that does the checks for illnesses and cleans out her ears, as you suggest. I’ll have to check out your article on choosing a brush, as well, though I’m sure the service will know what kind her coat needs.

  6. Sharon Wilson-Smith on November 20, 2018 at 6:28 pm

    You got me when you said that your dog can experience pain if their nails chip or break due to lack of care. My husband and I have dogs who have never been groomed. There was a time when our dogs suddenly stopped playing due to broke nails. I don’t want to see them in pain, so I’ll find a pet groomer as soon as possible.

  7. Justin on December 7, 2018 at 10:45 pm

    Thank you so much for your insight!

    We just opened up our mobile grooming salon.

    I know grooming may not be the most exciting thing you can write about, but you did a great job in keeping it fresh.

    Keep up the good work!

  8. Sharon Wilson-Smith on February 5, 2019 at 6:40 pm

    You got me when you said that your dog can suffer in pain if their nails are going to be left uncared for because they can grow too long. With that in mind, I’ll make sure to bring my dog to a grooming professional soon. His nails actually bled last night when he tried to run to greet me. I saw how his nails hurt him.

    • Eve Mitchell on July 16, 2021 at 11:33 am

      I love my little collie, but sometimes I don’t know the best way to groom her. I like that you shared that it’s important to keep the nails at a healthy length by trimming once or twice a month. I think I’ll look into hiring a professional groomer to give me more tips that I can do at home.

  9. Taylor Hansen on September 30, 2021 at 12:08 pm

    It’s good to know the benefits of dog grooming. My dog is in need of grooming soon. I’ll find a grooming service that can take care of him.

  10. Luke Smith on January 20, 2022 at 1:48 am

    It was a very helpful tip when you said that it’s important that to make sure that the type of brush used by the professional suits the breed of your dog. I just bought the cutest shi tzu, and I noticed that his hair is getting a little longer. He’s definitely having a hard time to see clearly, so I’ll make sure to keep in mind your tips while I find the best grooming services in town that specializes in catering to small dogs.

  11. Charlotte Fleet on March 4, 2022 at 4:49 pm

    Thank you for explaining the importance of bathing dogs with shampoo that is made for their skin and fur. I’d imagine that the best way to ensure the use of safe shampoo is to hire professionals to groom your dog. I want my dog to be properly groomed, so I’ll have to find a reputable dog grooming service.

  12. Talib Bin Maqsood on May 11, 2022 at 2:42 am

    It was a great suggestion when you mentioned that it’s important to ensure that the kind of brush the professional uses is appropriate for the breed of your dog. I just purchased the most adorable Shi-tzu, and discovered that it’s hair was growing a bit longer. He’s certainly having a difficult to see the world clearly. I’m going to be keeping on top of your suggestions when I look for the most effective grooming service located in the city that is specialized in catering to smaller dogs.

  13. Eli Richardson on May 31, 2022 at 2:35 pm

    It’s great that you explained how dogs need to get their nails trimmed every once in a while. My girlfriend and I adopted a dog last week, so we want to make sure we provide the right care for him, and we think your article will help us know what to do. Thanks for the information on how you’d need to be extra careful when trimming your dog’s nails to avoid harming their blood vessels.

  14. Mats Wolff on June 22, 2022 at 12:24 am

    I like how you mentioned that grooming your dog’s nails is important for their overall wellness. To give it a great makeover, I wish to take my dog to a grooming salon. Thank you for the dog grooming advice; I hope to be able to take my dog to a nice facility soon!

  15. Thomas Clarence on June 30, 2022 at 12:44 pm

    It was helpful when you mentioned that a dog’s nails need to be groomed once a month. I would imagine that it would be important to be careful when trimming a dog’s nails. Taking your dog to a groomer once a month could be the best thing for you to do.

  16. Muhammad Rasheed on April 3, 2023 at 8:14 am

    We appreciate your suggestion, this is the best thing for everyone who love their pets .A dog is one of the friendliest pet animals that can be kept at home. It is the animal who shows much commitment love and we have to look after and groom them, by cutting their nails or by showering even once a month.
    Thank and Keep it up.

  17. Elaina D'Agostino on June 27, 2023 at 8:11 am

    It was informative when you said the dog’s nail can break or chip when left uncut and this could cause them pain. I can’t remember when my mom last trimmed our pet’s nails. I’m taking him to the vet because I saw them bleeding and blackened the other day.

  18. Sam Andrews on July 4, 2023 at 5:49 am

    Yoo-hoo! Oh, I’m so happy you shared with us the significance of trimming our dog’s nails on a monthly basis to maintain its level of hygiene. My neighbor recently adopted a couple of puppies from a nearby shelter. Maybe I should share this trick with her so she can groom them with the help of an expert.

  19. Dog Daycare North Shore on July 27, 2023 at 9:37 am

    Dog grooming is more than just a luxury; it’s crucial for your pet’s well-being. Regularly check their eyes, ears, and teeth for signs of issues. Trim their nails monthly to prevent discomfort and potential health problems. Use the right brush for your dog’s breed to reduce shedding and maintain healthy fur. Bathe them with dog shampoo to avoid skin issues caused by human products. Inspect their fur for ticks, fleas, or lice frequently and use preventive measures. Being a responsible dog owner means committing to these essential grooming practices to keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Don’t underestimate the importance of proper care!

  20. Elle Jones on August 1, 2023 at 4:19 pm

    It was a really useful suggestion when you said that it’s crucial to make sure the professional’s brush type matches the breed of your dog. He has the nicest shi-tzu, which I recently acquired, and I’ve observed that his hair is growing a little. He’s certainly having trouble seeing well, so when I look for the best grooming salon in town that specializes in taking care of little canines, I’ll make sure to keep your advice in mind.

  21. Elle Jones on January 5, 2024 at 10:10 am

    My relatively large husky, whose fur is quite thick and difficult for me to keep groomed, may benefit from professional grooming services. You said that a grooming service doubles as a kind of health exam, which caught my attention. I’ll make sure to pick a service that conducts the sickness checks and cleans her ears, just like you suggested. Even though I’m sure the service will know what sort of brush her coat needs, I’ll still have to read your essay on selecting a brush.

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