East Valley K9 Services

DOG TRAINERS HELPING TO MAKE HAPPY, CONFIDENT, WELL-MANNERED DOGS

The ABC’s of Dog Grooming

Did you know that regular grooming is an essential part of your dog’s overall health and well-being?

Proper grooming of nails, ears, eyes, teeth and your dog’s overall coat, not only contributes to vibrant health, but also serves as a wonderful bonding experience with your pet. Following are the ABC’s of dog grooming.

Our canines depend upon us for their best possible health and life, and regular grooming is an important part of their regular care. It’s also an opportunity to check your dogs for potential issues, infections or inflammations. Grooming is so much more than have a show-worthy dog!

Overall Coat/Fur

While some dog breeds require more frequent grooming (weekly or every 6 weeks), all dogs need regular brushing and bathing. To help maintain your dog’s coat, brush them a couple of times a week to help distribute the natural oils in their fur and skin, keeping the coat healthy and beautiful. Always brush in the direction the coat grows.

“One of the first indications that all is not well inside is a change

of hair coat and skin. Also check for lumps, bumps

and overall body condition.”

Bernadine Cruz, DVM

While regular bathing is necessary, you can bathe your dog too much and strip a lot of the natural oils needed for a healthy coat and hair growth. It’s a good idea to bathe your dog once every 3 months. If you’re unsure about your dog’s grooming needs, check with a groomer or vet.

Nails

Regular nail care is important for your dog to keep him comfortable while walking and avoiding any infections. Also, letting a dog’s nails get too long can negatively impact his gait and natural movement. If your dog is very active outdoors, they may wear their nails down on their own. But if not, their nails (and dewclaws) will need to be trimmed regularly. Nervous about trimming your dog’s nails? Visit a groomer or vet to do it for you or to teach you how to properly cut the nails without hitting the quick (where the blood vessels are).

Eyes and Ears

Your dog’s eyes should always be clear, shiny and moist-looking. If they aren’t or you see any irritation, redness or cloudiness in their eyes, visit your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Some dogs are prone to chronic ear infections, especially those with long, floppy ears and those who swim a lot. So, each week, look inside (and take a good sniff) for potential infections or issues. If the ears are red, inflamed, full of debris or smell like an old pair of sneakers, they need to be cleaned. If inflammation persists despite regular cleaning, talk to your vet.

Teeth

Just like with their humans, teeth brushing should be part of your dog’s daily routine. Did you know that dogs are 5 times more likely to get gum disease than people? Good oral hygiene will prevent future K9 dental issues including:

Chronic pain and discomfort;
Tartar and plaque;
Bad breath;
Blood;
Gum inflammation and infection (known as periodontal disease);
Broken, fractured, discolored, rotated and loose teeth; and
Bone loss leading to premature tooth loss.

“More than 80% of dogs have periodontal disease by the time they’re 3 years old!”

Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM

Never rely on your dog to indicate any dental issues. Once they do, the problems will probably be more advanced because dogs typically hide pain because it’s seen as a weakness in the wild.

With preventative mouth care and regular annual oral check-ups with your vet, you can head-off future oral problems which can threaten your dog’s overall health.

YOU Could Save a Dog’s Life!

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Just send us an email

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