Basic Home Dog Grooming

Brushing, bathing and other types of dog grooming play a crucial role in ensuring that your pets stay in good health and feel their best. If you have the right tools and knowledge, you can do most grooming in the comfort of your home. Keep the following basic pet grooming information in mind for your dogs.

Brushing Dogs:

Brushing helps keep dogs’ coats shiny and free of tangles, especially if they have longer or thicker hair. For shorter hair that’s also smooth, you should brush once a week using a rubber brush for best results. If your dogs have shorter fur that’s more coarse or medium-length hair, plan on brushing once a week using a slicker brush or a rubber brush. Afterwards, use a comb to remove any mats that have formed. For dogs with longer hair, use a slicker brush every day to prevent tangles. When you’re done brushing, use a comb to eliminate any lingering tangles.

Bathing Dogs:

Dogs don’t need baths every day or even every week, but you should bathe them at least once a month. Dogs that get dirty more often will need more frequent baths. When you give dogs a bath, use a shampoo designed for dogs. Before putting dogs in the tub for a bath, brush their hair to get rid of tangles. Avoid getting any bath water in their ears or eyes while bathing them, and thoroughly rinse their fur after shampooing it. After baths, dry your dogs with a towel.

Cleaning Dog Ears:

Dog grooming includes ear care, which involves looking for redness or other signs of ear infections on a routine basis. To clean your dogs’ ears, use a cleaning solution that’s safe for dogs and a cotton ball or cleaning pad to gently remove debris. Avoid reaching deep in the ears, since this can damage them.

Trimming Dog Nails:

Dogs typically need their nails trimmed at least once a month. When you trim dog nails, stop cutting right before their nails begin curving or before reaching the pinkish part. Avoid cutting higher, since this can lead to bleeding.