Dog ownership is still one of the biggest pet ownerships worldwide, with the US being the biggest home to pooches (there’s 1 dog for every 4 Americans). However, dog ownership is on the rise in many countries, proving furthermore that dogs are really man’s best friend. There are even families that have more than 1 dog in their homestead.
Owning a dog is one thing, but properly taking care of one is another. Some of our canine friends look scruffy because their owners don’t know how to provide them with proper grooming. Some owners may take that for granted, but grooming is actually one of the basic needs of our four-legged friends.
If you’re clueless as to how to provide proper grooming to your pet dog, here are some basic pointers:
Brushing – If we brush our hair, our hairier pets need it, too. In fact, most of them enjoy being brushed. Besides, brushing their hair is not only about maintaining a healthy coat; it can also be one of the ways you and your pet can bond. The brushing would depend on the hair type of your, well, hairy friend. If you have a long-haired dog, you need to brush him daily to prevent tangling. If he has medium-length hair, do it twice every week. On the other hand, if his hair is short, you can just do once a month.
Bathing – This is typically not a fun activity both for the owner and the dog. That is, if the owner doesn’t know to facilitate proper bathing or the dog is not used to it. Look for resources online on how to bathe him properly so the experience is a fun one and not something you both despise. You can bathe him once a month, although doing it weekly is fine. You can also use anti-tick and fleas formula (like Advantix for dogs) during or after the bath.
Nail-trimming – If there’s one aspect of grooming that dogs abhor, it’s trimming their nails. Holding their paws is already a huge challenge, and then it gets worse once you start trimming their nails. One of the reasons why nail trimming is something a dog develops a loathing to is if it’s painfully done. So the key is to know how to trim the nails properly so the dog doesn’t get hurt.
Ear upkeep – The ears of your dog can be a breeding ground for bacteria as well as yeast if they’re not kept clean. You can do the ear cleaning during his bath. But if your dog has a chronic ear disease, he might require one or two cleanings a day.
Learn how to properly groom your dog so he can look and feel his best. It is part of your tasks as a responsible, loving, and caring owner.
Pet Lover's Guide 