Grooming Guide for Dogs

Dog Grooming Guide

Good Grooming such as regular brushing and bathing keeps your dog looking great and improves their overall health. Regular brushing stimulates the hair follicles and natural oil production of the skin, improving the skin and coat’s health.

Brushing and Bathing

Choosing the correct grooming tools for your dog can largely depend upon their coat type. Dogs with dense undercoats such as malamutes will require a different brush than a short-haired dog such as a greyhound. Flea combs are very effective on short haired breeds whereas a rake (wide toothed comb) is great at removing intense shedding associated with dense undercoats. Slicker brushes are wire-bristled brushes that are available in different sizes and are appropriate for all types of coats.  Make sure to brush your dog before you bathe them. This will remove excess hair and dirt before the bath. If your dog has matted spots, use clippers to save off the mats before bathing or take your dog to a professional groomer to remove those mats.

After brushing is complete, it is time for the bath. There are many different types of shampoos and conditioners on the market. Puppy and oatmeal based shampoos tend to be very mild and gentle to the skin. Organic shampoos then are hypoallergenic and very moisturizing. Fleas and tick shampoos are anti-parasitic and are usually harsh to the skin in nature. Before picking any shampoo consider the needs of your dog. If you have questions it is always a good idea to consult with a professional groomer or veterinarian.

While bathing your dog it is a good idea to have a bathtub-restraining device to help keep your dog in the tub. If you use a bathtub restraint, never leave your dog unattended. To bathe your dog, start with wetting your dog down with lukewarm water. Make sure that the water temperature is comfortable (not too hot or cold). Make sure your dog is wet down to the skin then lather him all over with your shampoo of choice.  Be kind and speak softly. The more you are stressed about the situation the more your dog will be too.  For the face washing use a washcloth. Do not spray your dog in the face, this will stress them out and you will have trouble getting through the rest of the bath. If you use a medicated shampoo, read the label and make sure you keep the shampoo on for the allotted time the product recommends. Rinse your dog well. Soap residue can irritate skin causing your dog to itch.

Conditioners are a product that can help dry skin. Make sure before using a conditioner you have thoroughly rinsed off the shampoo. Apply the conditioner then use a slicker brush to brush in the conditioner into the coat. This will help brush out more of a shedding coat and help the coat resist future matting. After the conditioner has been worked into the coat, rinse well then towel-dry.

Ear Care

Start by smelling your dogs ears to see if there is any foul odor. Foul odors or “yeasty” smells can be a sign of infection. Visually inspect the ears for any redness or irritation. If you smell a bad odor and see redness or irritation it is a good idea to take your dog into the veterinarian for a checkup.

To clean the ears start by cleaning the outer area of the ear to remove any dirt and wax. To clean the inner part of the ear it is best to use an ear cleaner. Do not use Q-tips to poke around in the ear canal. This could cause trauma to the ear. Put in a few drops of ear cleaner into the ear canal and gently massage the ear. Allow your dog to shake their head. Gently use gauze to clean the inner part of the ear.

Eye Care

First inspect your dogs eyes. The whites of their eyes should be white without irritation or redness. The conjunctiva tissue of the lower lids should be a healthy pink without irritation or redness.  Redness or irritation can be a sign of infection. Green or yellow drainage from the eye can also be a sign of infection and warrants a visit to your veterinarian.

To clean the eye, use an eye wash. Put a few drops of eye wash in each eye and gently wipe the eyes with a soft washcloth. Remove any dirt or debris around the eye by using a damp soft washcloth. Remove any dried eye discharge from the corners of the eyes with a damp washcloth.

Nail Care

First, make sure you have your nail trimming supplies handy along with your helper. Make sure to have another person restrain your dog while you trim their nails. This will help prevent injury to the dog. Make sure to have cornstarch or a styptic powder available to help stop the nail bleeding if you should nick the quick of the nail. Make sure to purchase a nail trimmer specifically for dogs. If your dog has really thick nails, make sure to purchase a heavy duty trimmer that can successfully trim thick nails. Scissor type trimmers work well for thick nails where guillotine style nail trimmers work best for small dogs.

The most important thing to know about nail trimming is to know where the “quick” or the inside vein of the nail is. This is located in the center of the nail. If you trim the nails too short and nick the quick, the nail will bleed. White nails will show a defined pink area; that is where the quick is. Do not trim that part. Only trim the solid white part. Black nails are a little trickier and require a little guesswork. The best way to trim black nails is to trim a little at a time. After each trim look at the center of the nail and make sure it is not bleeding. The general rule is the nail should be even with the paw pad. Clip the nail quickly and at a 45 degree angle from the bottom. Use the cornstarch or styptic powder to stop any bleeding.

Author: Catherine Critz, Staff Writer, Petsocialonline.com

MS, Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University