It can prove pretty difficult to take on the daily activities in the day while having to cuddle your pet and take care of it. Are you a pet owner? Pets are a huge responsibility and every so often, it becomes necessary that grooming is incorporated into your busy day’s schedule.
Just like your own skin and hair, a dog’s skin and coat are reflections of his/her overall health which is why getting a couple of dog clippers for grooming your canine friend is important. Canine hair, usually referred to as coats, range from fine and thin to coarse and dense, and vary in length, irrespective of coat type. Some dogs have curly coats, some have wiry coats and others have practically no coat at all.
It is only fair that all pet, in this case, dogs, be hair groomed when they are dirty, muddy, shedding or smelly, which is why the following list has 10 hair grooming tips that will give you a heads-up on how to take care of your dog’s skin and coat:
Hair Grooming Tips To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Skin And Coat
Properly shampoo
Frequent baths, just like in human beings, are important to maintain healthy skin as well as get rid of dirt. However, depending on your dog’s breed, coat, activity level and any medical conditions, the bathing frequency should vary uniquely for your canine friend.
Even animals have natural oils that keep the hair lustrous and healthy, which is why it is important you regulate the rate at which your bath and shampoo your pet.
A good shampoo can stave off a number of skin problems, as well as make your dog’s coat look nice and shiny. Be careful to rightfully pick out shampoos that are complementary to the type of coating on your pet. Dry shampoos, in the form of powders or waterless sprays, are great for spot-cleaning and as an occasional substitute for a real bath. NEVER use your shampoo on your dog because they are specifically tailored for humans and may harm your pet.
Brush your dog’s hair
Brushing your dog’s fur helps distribute the natural oils on the skin, stimulating the hair follicles which in turn increases the natural production of skin oils that make the coat shiny.
Make sure to brush your dog’s coat before shampooing to detangle the mats that may trap shampoo that might be an irritant for your pet. Short-haired dogs traditionally are groomed in the direction the hair grows, while longer-haired dogs usually are groomed against the lay of the hair.
Either way, use soft bristle, preferably natural ones, for brushing your dog’s hair, combing them gently in small sections
Trim the hair
Like any other type of hair, dogs’ hair grows, and if your pet grows too long a hair, it might be time for you to consider a trim for him/her.
Make sure you keep it trimmed to prevent skin and coat problems. Scissors with blunt or rounded ends are handy for trimming. You can trim the hair yourself or use the services of a professional groomer, who can also clean your dog’s ears and trim their nails.
Healthy diet
Nutritionally rich diet is important for your pet for more than just his/her health. In fact, the better your dog’s food, the better your dog’s coat. The diet should generally include healthy fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, folic acid, biotin and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and E.
Handle Mats
Mats are solid clumps of hair that can occur anywhere on a dog’s body, especially dogs with soft coats, mostly behind the ears, under the armpits, around the anus, in the flank area, on the back of the thighs and between the toes.
Among the ways to properly handle the mats on your dog is to soak them with a pet coat conditioner and gently separate the bundled hair by hand, or simply use the mat splitter tools that are today easily available. Never try to remove mats with scissors or by forcefully pulling them out.
Grooming your pet overall might seem like an extra chore and responsibility for you, but these hair grooming activities are a good way for you to get to spend some quality time with your pet, and a good way to teach your little ones on responsibility.
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