Taking your furry friend to the groomers can not only become an expensive task but may also be an uncomfortable experience for your dog. Most dogs hate taking baths, trimming their nails, or brushing their fur, so when placed in an environment with complete strangers this can become much more daunting. Despite the in-depth training almost all professional groomers have, this can still cause a lot of stress on your dog.
While daily hygiene isn’t typically necessary for most dogs, routine grooming habits can prevent unwanted smells, infections, and diseases. There are many simple tricks and tips that can help you save a buck while looking out for the health of your pet.
Things to Avoid Doing
Before we dive into the habits that you can begin with your pup, here are a few things that you must avoid.
- Do not use human grooming products on dogs (could contain harmful chemicals).
- Do not cut mats out of your dog’s coat yourself.
- Do not spray them with unapproved products to make them smell better.
- Lastly, do not attempt to treat any injuries or lacerations that you may notice on their fur without the proper training.
Bathing
The frequency of bathing depends on the breed of your dog but is one of the most important parts of keeping your pet healthy, especially if they love the outdoors.
- If having your dog to agree to a bath requires offering a treat or toy, this can help them with positive association to baths.
- If possible, put cotton balls in their ears or avoid spraying them with water to avoid infections.
- Then, you can use the Zen Frenz Shampoo and a damp washcloth as you work from the neck down until finished.
- For drying them off, it is recommended to dry them off with a towel and prepare for the shake that your dog will naturally do.
Brushing Fur
There are many types of grooming brushes that you can buy depending on the length and type of fur that your dog has. Then, you can use this brush to gently brush in the direction of hair growth with strokes that will help to remove dead hairs from their coat. You should brush your dog every couple of days.
Nail Trimming
It is necessary to keep nails short and trimmed for the dog’s feet to remain healthy and to prevent an awkward gait or walk. To know how often to cut their nails, this general tip should help: the nails are too long once you can hear clicking on the floor. To do this, you must use a specially designed clipper with safety guards to prevent you from cutting the nails too short and hurting your pup.
Brushing Teeth
Many new products have come into the market that can make cleaning your dog’s teeth easier than ever, including chewing toys that will clean their teeth as they chew. However, if you would like to ensure that their teeth get properly cleaned by manual use, here are a few helpful tips:
- If necessary, you can ease your dog into getting their teeth brushed by rubbing their gums and teeth with your finger and then adding toothpaste once they are comfortable.
- Then you can ease into using a toothbrush over time.
These tips will not only help keep your pet healthy and smelling fresh but will improve their overall attitude. On the topic of improving your pet’s attitude through reducing anxiety, our Zen Bites and Zen Drops are great easy ways to relax your pup while providing numerous benefits. Along with reduced anxiety, these products help with joint support, appetite, and many other things.
Works Cited:
“How To Bathe Your Dog: At Home or Outside.” Cesar's Way, 13 Aug. 2020, www.cesarsway.com/how-to-bathe-your-dog/.
Staff, AKC. “How to Groom a Dog at Home.” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 27 May 2021, www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-groom-a-dog/.