Dog Grooming Things to Know

Our furry friends will shed. This includes the topcoat (guard hair). The undercoat is the underlying problem of shedding and is the majority of hair you see in your house. Short-haired Dogs benefit from weekly brushing, while most medium- or long-haired dogs may need grooming several times a week.

Shedding is a natural process that allows 

Our furry friends will shed. This includes the topcoat (guard hair). The undercoat is the underlying problem of shedding and is the majority of hair you see in your house. Short-haired Dogs benefit from weekly brushing, while most medium- or long-haired dogs may need grooming several times a week.

Shedding is a natural process that allows for the loss of older and often dead hair so that new hair can grow.

Some pets shed seasonally, "blowing" their winter coats when spring comes. Others, like indoor pets and short-haired pets, may shed all year. Making time to brush your pet can help you determine where the bulk of that hair ends up -- in the trash or on you.

Even if you don't mind finding a little fur on your favorite pants, grooming your dog can offer both of you real benefits, including preventing painful knots and tangles, minimizing pet dander in the home, helping to catch signs of pet illness or parasites, and boosting the pet-person bond.  

The need to remove matted hair is a necessity. When a coat becomes tangled beyond the ability to brush or comb through it, the most humane method is to shave off the matted hair. Shaving may seem severe, but it is the fastest and least stressful way to groom a matted pet.

Matted coats can cause the following problems:
Skin irritation is ca

The need to remove matted hair is a necessity. When a coat becomes tangled beyond the ability to brush or comb through it, the most humane method is to shave off the matted hair. Shaving may seem severe, but it is the fastest and least stressful way to groom a matted pet.

Matted coats can cause the following problems:
Skin irritation is caused by dirt, dander, and parasites trapped under matted hair. Sores and hair loss: As mats get tighter, they eventually pull out of the skin, causing bald spots and sore skin. In severe cases, maggots can infest skin sores.

It is not uncommon to find preexisting conditions such as hot spots, sores, and other skin issues once the matted coat is removed. There is also a chance that your pet's skin may become irritated from being clipped so close—ear bruising due to excessive head shaking after the removal of mats can occur.   

Nail trimming is an essential part of a regular grooming routine. If your dog’s nails get too long, they can break, which is painful and sometimes results in infection. Long nails can also cause an irregular gait (a dog’s gait is its quality of movement) that leads to skeletal damage.

If dogs are not walked on hard ground, their nails te

Nail trimming is an essential part of a regular grooming routine. If your dog’s nails get too long, they can break, which is painful and sometimes results in infection. Long nails can also cause an irregular gait (a dog’s gait is its quality of movement) that leads to skeletal damage.

If dogs are not walked on hard ground, their nails tend to grow quickly. If their nails grow too long, it can lead to sprung toes in athletic breeds and turned-out toes in severe cases. A dog’s nails curve as they grow out. If they are not trimmed, they will eventually curl under the foot, where they can dig into sensitive paw pads and cause pain. Dewclaws (the nails at the sides of the front and sometimes back paws) are even more prone to this curling and growing. Keeping nails short and blunt often prevent injuries such as splitting and bleeding nails.

The good news is that dogs are not as prone to cavities as humans. But despite the old conventional wisdom that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s, dogs can still develop problems like tartar and plaque buildup, and gingivitis. But it’s not just bad breath and yellow teeth you have to worry about. As with humans, these canine denta

The good news is that dogs are not as prone to cavities as humans. But despite the old conventional wisdom that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s, dogs can still develop problems like tartar and plaque buildup, and gingivitis. But it’s not just bad breath and yellow teeth you have to worry about. As with humans, these canine dental problems can lead to life-threatening infections and issues, including heart, liver, and kidney disease. Few people know the importance of keeping dog teeth clean and in good condition. The pet owner and the groomer should check the teeth for tartar and soreness of the gums.