Grooming and Hygiene Are Important to Your Dog's Health

Most of us are responsible pet owners and spay and neuter our four-legged family and keep them up to date on required shots. If we make sure that they're fed properly and get the exercise they need in addition to love and attention, what else is there?

Grooming is Important to your Dog's Overall Health
Grooming your dog obviously means regular brushing, but it doesn't stop there. Certain breeds of dogs require more care in some areas than others, but all have the same basic requirements for proper hygiene that need to be addressed regularly.

Benefits of Brushing
Not only does brushing your dog remove the excess hair, it also removes dirt and debris and can help keep them clean between baths. Just like brushing your own hair, the bristles will stimulate circulation and spread the natural oils throughout your dog's coat, giving it a healthier shine.

Some short haired dogs don't need excessive brushing but can get by with a damp cloth run over their coat once or twice a week. Other breeds need to be brushed daily. I have one of each. Make sure you know what is required for your breed, because a short coat doesn't always mean less brushing is required.

Time spent brushing your dog can also alert you to flea and/or tick infestation which can cause a host of problems for your family as well as your pet. Before grabbing the brush, running your hands over Bruno's body is an easy way to check for lumps or scrapes that might signal other health problems, and he'll appreciate the extra belly-rub.

Tackle the Teeth
Checking your dog's teeth is as important as making sure your children brush twice a day. When I brought my Jack Russell Terrier to the vet, the doctor noticed that his baby teeth didn't get pushed out as his adult teeth came in, leaving him with a wicked grin. Since Jethro was due to be neutered soon, the veterinarian suggested we wait until then to extract the teeth at the same time if they didn't come out on their own by then. They didn't, so he did the deed when Jethro got snipped. If they hadn't been extracted, it may have been painful for him to chew and could have caused eating problems.

Even if your pit bull has a smile like Brad Pitt, checking for tartar buildup regularly is a preventive measure, again, much the same as in humans. Providing chew toys and bones can help, but you should still run a damp washcloth over their teeth or brush them with a toothbrush designed for dogs. Tartar buildup can cause gums to bleed and/or recede, providing access for harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream.

Essential Ear Care
Dogs with ears that flap over are usually cleaner than those that stand erect, but all types of dog's ears need to be cleaned and checked regularly. If dirt is visible, a gentle wipe with a damp washcloth or baby-wipe is usually sufficient, but you can break out the cotton swabs if there is dirt in the crevices. Dampen the swab first with water or rubbing alcohol to break up the dirt easier. Do not place anything far into the ear canal; just wipe what is visible.

The dirt you see in your dog's ears may not actually be dirt at all. If Sandy shakes her head often, she could have ear mites, which are tiny parasitic insects that feed on your dog much like fleas and ticks do. Checking your dog's ears frequently can alert you to start treatment to prevent further pain and itching as the infestation progresses. A crusty, brown substance in the ear that resembles coffee grounds is a sign of ear mites and there may be an objectionable odor as well. Your veterinarian will prescribe the proper medications necessary to eradicate the ear mites, and all pets in the home will have to be treated.

Gnarly Nails Are a No-No
Trimming your dog's nails frequently is essential. If your dog walks differently to compensate for overly long nails, it can affect their stance/posture and lead to skeletal problems. Pay particular attention if your dog still has dew claws as they don't get worn down by walking and can grow into the flesh.

Just as proper hygiene is important for your own health, your dog relies on you to see that his grooming needs are met. Make it a matter of routine like you would a daily walk.