Every dog owner wants to keep their pets clean and tidy to make them more lovable as an air of freshness surrounds them. Grooming prevents the stinky smell that can be repulsive.
Brushing the coat daily and bathing the dog at regular intervals accompanied by shampooing are the basic grooming techniques that cleanse the coat from deep inside and keep the skin moist by using some conditioner.
Nail clipping, clipping dog fur, and brushing the dog’s teeth are essential to complete the grooming process. Every dog owner must have the exact types of dog grooming tools at home so that they can keep the dog well-groomed and healthy.
Many people might look upon dog grooming as an aesthetic need for beautification. However, there are several underlying health benefits of grooming. The health benefits might not be obvious immediately after the grooming session. With time, it reflects in the wellness and well-being of the animals.
The concept of grooming is much more than brushing the dog’s coat because regular grooming allows detecting early any underlying conditions or diseases as you are caring for the dog closely.
Early detection of diseases or any medical condition helps in quick treatment. Moreover, it helps avoid any health complications later. The cost of the treatment in the initial stages is less too.
The health perspective of grooming
The nose, eyes, and ears of dogs are vulnerable to infections. Hence, timely grooming can help prevent health problems arising from it. Dogs have a great sense of smell because of an ultra-sensitive nose with 220 million olfactory receptors, whereas humans have only 5 million.
As dogs keep sniffing at everything it comes across, the nose attracts a lot of dirt, and regular cleaning can prevent infections. Dog breeds of some species are prone to eye infections and parasites. The hair around the eyes needs regular trimming to reduce the chances of infections.
Regular cleaning of ears while grooming the dog can help detect any inflammation or unpleasant smell due to mite or tick infestation that needs immediate treatment.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Grooming Your Dog at Home
Grooming the dogs at home is an option. But then, pet owners must know the proper grooming techniques and the skills of grooming dogs in the right way according to the dog species. While the grooming techniques are more or less the same, differences arise in the brushing and clipping techniques.
It depends on the type of coat or fur of the animal. Moreover, it is essential to train the dog for grooming. Training helps it respond positively and cooperate with the groomer to complete the grooming process smoothly.
Preparing dogs for grooming is a significant learning trait for the animals and proves beneficial to attaining maturity. Good breeders train the litters when they are old enough to become familiar with the process and accept it as part of their lives. When dog owners groom the dog at home, the closer interaction with the pet develops better bonding with the pet.
However, neither all dogs enjoy the grooming process, nor do all dog owners have the capability of grooming their dogs. Instead, they would prefer to send the dog to some professional groomer periodically.
Why It’s Worth Having Your Dog Groomed Professionally
Sending dogs of certain breeds like Poodles with thick hair that grows fast to some professional groomer should help the animal get a professional haircut that makes them look tidier and more lovable. Professional groomers know how to give a perfect hairstyle to your dog.
Groomers can also offer an enjoyable massaging session for the dog that relaxes the pet and makes it sprightlier. To make your dog look handsome and smart, your pet needs the care and expertise of professional groomers. The professionals know how to take the best care of the dog by understanding its vulnerabilities.
Read Also: 5 Easy Tips On Grooming Your Dog At Home
How much does dog grooming cost?
On average, dog grooming can cost anything between $40 and $100. It depends on the grooming that the dog needs. The price can vary according to region. Grooming costs are higher in some regions, and your location affects the cost of grooming.
The lowest price is for the standard grooming session that includes a bath, blow, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and ear cleaning, and sometimes releasing built-up fluid in the anal gland with external pressure known as anal gland expression.
The dog’s hair impacts the grooming cost because the cost increases when it takes more time taken to complete the process. The size of the dog, the length of hair to cut, and the thickness of the coat are factors that impact the cost because the more time it takes to cut the hair, the higher the cost. Furry dogs take a longer time for a haircut and will cost more than dogs with short hair and velvet coat.
Common factors that impact dog grooming prices
Dog breeds
The haircut patterns of dogs are specific for some dog breeds, and the styles are different too. It helps to create different looks. While a general trim would cost less, requesting any particular haircut will cost more.
Matted hair
Although brushing is not costly compared to a haircut, it can be expensive if the dog has too much-matted hair. As the groomer deals with too many tangles, it can take longer to complete the process, and the cost will be more.
De-shedding or Stripping
If you want to include stripping or de-shedding in the grooming package, the service can cost between $20 and $40 depending on the dog’s coat and the dog breed.
Extras
If you choose some optional services like removing tear stains, brushing your dog’s teeth, and applying some perfume spray on the dog, as groomers offer, then surely you need to pay more.
The price of grooming varies according to the dog’s breed and temperament. It takes a long time to groom an ill-tempered dog.