Starting At The Top
Ask your vet about grooming frequencies based on the breed of your four-legged friend. You’ll have a different schedule than your dog park buddy if your pet has short hair and the doggie friend has a long or curly coat.
If something is medically wrong with your pet, their skin and coat will tell you first. Brushing your furbaby will give you the chance to take a closer look at what’s going on below the surface. Keep an eye out for rashes, irritations, or broken skin. If you notice anything new or irregular, consult your veterinarian right away. Just like with humans, early detection can save a life.
Brush-yielding time is also the prime opportunity to check for unwanted passengers. Fleas, ticks, and infection-causing bacteria live on your animal’s skin and are adept at camouflaging themselves to survive. Using a flea comb or thoroughly brushing through your pet’s fur will let those parasites know the ride is over.
Additional benefits include increasing circulation of blood flow and releasing any trapped fluids due to inflammation. If you have a pet with arthritis, brushing their coats acts as double duty. Consult your vet on the appropriate brushing method for your arthritic pet.
Peel Back The Layers
Reduce the likelihood of your pet overheating in the summer months by brushing out undercoats in the spring. You’re helping yourself in the process, reducing your dog hair expunging time. Dog breeds with thick undercoats include Huskies, Collies, and Chows. If you’ve ever lived with one of these magnificent creatures, then you know that undercoat ends up all over you and your home as the seasons change.
In the long-haired breed division of brushing, we are addressing an entirely different animal, pun intended. Cocker Spaniels, Maltese on the canine side, and Persians on the feline side are breeds of long-haired pets.
Brushing these babies is a twofold process, one round for the undercoat and one for the glossy top layer. Neglecting to do so can result in matted spots that are painful and potentially hazardous to their health. The best strategy is to stay ahead of the matted-fur curve by regular brushing and calling in the grooming experts at regular intervals.
Eyes and Ears On the Prize
Reduce the likelihood of eye irritation, infection and ocular damage by keeping the hair around your dog or cat’s eyes trimmed. Grooming facial hair is the time to bring in the experts, they have the proper tools to trim this delicate area.
Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, and Shih Tzu breeds are especially susceptible to eye irritations caused by long hair covering or rubbing their eyes. Long-haired kitties, Persians or Himalayans come to mind, will develop tear stains around their eyes just like their canine counterparts.
Prevent ear infections by removing hair that inhibits airflow around your dog’s ears. Some dogs have hair deep in their ear canal that can collect bacteria. Groomers use trimmers specifically designed to “pluck” hair from these hidden areas.
Teeth and Nails
Warning signs of health problems show up in their mouths. Loose teeth or periodontal disease could be a symptom of an ailment, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Peticures that address long nails on dogs and some cats could help your pooch or purr stave off age-related issues like joint pain. Overgrown nails are a common source of skeletal problems in dogs, and keeping them short is a quick method of preventative maintenance. How do you know if their nails are too long? If they make a clicking noise when your pet walks across a bare floor or on the street, it’s time for a trim.
The Best For Last
The back end of our pets isn’t usually where we like to spend a lot of time, but loving them means loving all of them. Grooming will remove any potential obstructions from the exit door like excess hair and debris. Fleas like to hang out back there, so cover their backside by brushing or getting the flea comb to the end, which includes their tail.