Ultimate Dog Grooming Tips

India is one of many nations of dog lovers. According to Statista, there were nearly 20 million pet dogs in India in 2019, but that figure is growing quickly.

The number of pet dogs is predicted to reach 31 million by 2023 in India, which shows how quickly the growing trend is for owning dogs. Although there is a long way before India catches up with America’s huge 70 million pet dog population, it is a nation of pet lovers.

If you are one of the many people who appreciate a fine-looking German Shepherd, or a feisty Beagle, then you are surely keen on keeping them looking good and well-groomed.

Here is a short article on the benefits of grooming your dog, why you should never ignore it, and the best tips for doing it. 

What are the perks of dog grooming?

Well, for starters, do you think anyone would want to come near you if you didn’t bathe? It is identical for dogs, of course. Grooming your dog well makes them look healthy and clean, but there are deeper benefits.

Grooming a dog helps them to prevent certain diseases. It will help remove dead skin, dirt, and other irritations that may make them itch and feel uncomfortable.

Giving your pet a good going over will also help their mental health. Think how good you feel when you have had a good shower on a hot sticky day or when you have visited the spa. This is exactly how your pet will feel when they are groomed, 

just like a new dog. 

What happens if you neglect to groom your dog?

Owning a dog is a big responsibility; they need to be cared for, fed, exercised, mentally stimulated, and cleaned.

Many problems can arise if your pet isn’t groomed properly, according to the RSPCA, which should know one or two things. Ticks can go undetected, as can fleas and other irritants such as grass seeds. Dogs can get infections from these, and in some cases, it can be fatal.

If grooming is ignored, the hair can become greasy and matted and get in the way of a dog’s vision. This isn’t just an aesthetic problem, either. Matted hair can become painful and even lead to infection. 

How often and how much time should you put into dog grooming?

There is no straight answer to this question, unfortunately. Different breeds require different levels of care. For instance, wiry-haired, short-haired, and long-haired dogs all need different things.

As a rule of thumb, you could say that you should brush your dog’s hair at least once a week, but some breeds, such as a German Shepherd, should be done several times. This removes the dead hair that will stay if not brushed away.

It is important to bathe your dog and not do it too often. If you bathe your dog too frequently, you will strip away some of its natural protection. Bathing can remove oil from the skin and damage follicles, leading to infection.

Around once a month should be ok to bathe a dog unless they’ve rolled in something unpleasant. Some experts advocate bathing as infrequently as every six to 8 weeks. 

What tools do you need?

If you are keen on doing your own pampering, then you should own the most common dog grooming tools.

Not surprisingly, perhaps, most of these tools revolve around dog hair. You won’t need to buy all of these; some will work better on certain breeds than others.

Below are a few of the more useful dog grooming tools:

• Metal comb
• Bristle brush
• Dog shampoo
• Nail trimmers
• Pin brush
• Shedding brush or a de-shedding comb
• Ear cleaners
• Handheld vacuum

Don’t worry, that last item is for you to keep a tidy home and zap the sofa.

Ear cleaners are important for dogs, and you can buy the solution at a pet shop or use a normal saline solution instead. Just as you shouldn’t bathe your dog too often, you must limit ear cleaning too.

Most of the tools here are good for removing dead hair, helping them when shedding, and making your pet look well-groomed. Many people don’t like to cut their dog’s nails, so if you are uncomfortable with that, use a vet instead. 

Ultimate dog grooming tips?

So, you want to groom your dog like the experts but at home? Here below are some of the methods you should follow. Before you go there, you should consider two other highly important areas and part of the overall grooming regime.

Food and exercise

There is no point in grooming your dog to pet show standards if they live on junk food and are obese. If you want the best for your dog and for them to look its best, they need to be healthy on the inside and outside.

It is worth researching what food works best for your breed. Not all dogs should eat the same food; some have bad reactions to certain types.

Exercise is vital to having a healthy dog. This doesn’t just affect their physical health but their mental wellness too. A well-exercised dog is happy and will look better than some groomed dogs that are neglected in this area. 

6 Areas of Dog Grooming

This covers six main areas you must follow over several weeks to keep your dog in tip-top condition.

1. Bathing
2. Hair brushing
3. Nail clipping
4. Teeth brushing
5. Eyes, ears, and paws
6. Hair trimming

Not all breeds are the same, and different lifestyles require different schedules, so the timings here are broad. You should adjust them to suit you and your dog. 

#1 Bathing

Normally once a month should be ok. However, there are occasions when you need to give your pet a quick once-over. There is one tool that an owner of any active dog would appreciate, and that is the portable dog washer. 

This portable dog washer guide might show you how to keep your home clean after you both return home from a muddy walk. Top tip, call ahead to have your partner fill it with warm water ready!

#2 Hair brushing

At least once a week, but 3 times is better for longer-haired dogs.

#3 Nail clipping

If you feel confident enough to do this, then about once a month should be enough. 

#4 Teeth brushing

Many owners neglect this area, but brushing twice a week can help your dog’s dental health immensely. 

#5 Ears, eyes, and paws

Clean these areas about every 2 weeks. 

#6 Hair trimming

This depends on your dog type, but normally every two months should be ample. 

Summary

Dog grooming doesn’t need to be expensive or a chore. It is something that you can take pleasure and pride in and do at home.

If you wish to visit a dog parlor, then, by all means, go for it, and if you don’t like to trim their nails, then perhaps contact a vet. If you get a few tools, you should be able to do much of your pet’s grooming at home.