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Basics - Part 3
In Part
1 of this article, we looked at proper diet, daily
exercise and vaccinations. In part
2 we considered the necessity of providing plenty of
water and a safe environment. In part 3 we are going to
look at grooming and dental care.
Grooming
Grooming your dog is not about vanity. It is not solely about
having the best looking Labrador, Afghan or Mutt on the block or
in the entire city. It is not about making you look good. It is
about keeping your dog’s coat healthy.
Grooming involves
different aspects of dog care. There is the coat. Every dog’s
coat, short or long, smooth, wiry or wavy, needs brushing. The
amount of brushing it requires depends upon the nature of the
coat.
You need to talk to groomers and other dog owners to ascertain
the exact amount of brushing and combine your dog’s coat will
need. Discussing the type of coat with a qualified groomer will
also provide you the right information on the basics of grooming.
This includes the types of combs, brushes and gloves you should
have to make your dog’s coat look its best.
Different types of coats require different kinds of grooming
equipment. There are wide-toothed combs, medium-toothed combs and
fine-toothed combs. You should have a slicker brush and a soft
bristle brush. A stripping comb is great for short wiry coats. A
pin brush is used on short double coats.
Grooming Equipment
It is a maze out there. There are plenty of choices and you will
want to make the right one. Overall, there is only 1 definitive.
Brush your dog’s coat thoroughly at least once a week.
Grooming also involves bathing and nail clipping. Both tasks can
be met with aversion or they can be enjoyable. It depends upon
the conditioning of the dog, the experiences with the event and
the nature of the dog. Some dogs love bathing; others abhor
it.
Most dogs do not need a weekly bath. If your dog is a show dog,
bathing is more common. It also becomes a frequent event if your
canine is into rolling into unpleasant smelling objects. Some
experts recommend a bath once a month. Others say it is okay once
or twice a year. All agree it is not a good thing to over bathe.
If you over bathe, you can strip the dog’s coat and skin of vital
oils.
Besides brushing and bathing, nail care is another aspect of
grooming. Clipping or trimming nails can be a problem. If your
dog regularly walks on concrete or hard surfaces, trimming needs
are less frequent. If they do not, you will need to trim them to
prevent them from being a hazard. Before you embark on cutting
your dog’s nails, consult an expert. You do not want to cut too
short. This results in bleeding. Professional Pet
Grooming at Petacular, London, ON
Dental Health
Your dog has clean white teeth. You want to keep them this way.
Daily brushing with dog toothpaste will help them maintain their
strength and
beauty. Start this
practice at an early age or you may have trouble doing so.
Your choice of food and treats will
also ensure your dog’s teeth are kept in excellent shape. Kibble
is better than soft food for the teeth. Certain types of dog
chews are designed to help with dental care. These are preventive
measures. As is usually the case - they are cheaper than the
alternative. Pet
Dental Products
Conclusion
Your dog’s health, safety and
happiness is in your hands. It is your responsibility - and it
should be your pleasure and joy, to ensure this. If you follow
the above basics, you are on track to keeping your dog healthy,
happy and secure.
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