Why should I brush/groom my dog?

Brushing and combing your dog’s coat is an important part of general pet care. Using a dog brush helps to keep your dog’s coat in good condition by removing loose hair and preventing hair mats/knots. Brushing also helps to distribute healthy natural skin oils over the hair shaft, promoting a shiny coat and helping dirt to slide off the hair. Brushing can even help to reduce the need to and the frequency of dog baths! Brushing and dog grooming are activities that help to strengthen the positive relationship bond between dogs and their owners. Brushing should be a pleasant and comfortable experience for dogs and owners.

How often should I brush/groom my dog?

• How often to brush and groom your dog will depend on each individual dog. Dog breeds tend to differ in their need for brushing because of their coat type and length. Their recent activities will also impact how frequently you’ll need to make use of your dog grooming tools.
• Dogs with short coats generally require less brushing and grooming compared to dogs with medium to long-haired coats. The longer the coat, the easier it is to get tangles, mats and debris trapped in it.
• Some very short-haired dogs may not need traditional ‘brushing’ – owners may instead like to try a soft grooming glove to gently remove loose hair, occasionally.
• Dogs should be brushed ‘as required’. Owners should monitor the condition of their dog’s coat, looking for any tangles/mats or dullness which indicates that they might need a brush. Grooming can take anything from a few minutes to several hours a week depending on your type of dog, and so understanding how to groom a dog is an essential part of being a dog owner.

What should I check when grooming my dog?

Paws

• Check the paws and footpads regularly for any cuts/abrasions.
• Carefully trim any excess hair in-between the footpads and remove any trapped debris, such as grass seeds/burrs.

Nails

• Check the condition and length of the nails including any ‘thumb’ nails, also known as ‘dew claws’ higher up on the front and back feet.
• If the nails are too long, carefully trim a small amount off the tip as required, preferably using professional dog clippers (ask your vet to show you how to do it safely).

Ears

• Monitor your pet for signs of an ear problem and consult with your vet – signs can include head shaking and ear scratching/rubbing.
• Dogs with healthy ears should generally have their ears left alone.
• Dogs with long droopy ears, allergies or recurrent ear infections should be monitored closely and owners should follow their vets advice.

Teeth

• Provide suitable chew items for your dog on a regular basis such as dental chews and chew toys.
• Talk to your vet about raw meaty bones and their suitability for your particular dog. Any bones offered must always be raw and human-grade.
• Consult with your vet about dental care and procedures.

Eyes

• If you notice any problems such as discharge, redness or squinting, consult your vet as soon as possible – eye problems can worsen rapidly.
• Hair that is obscuring your dog’s eyes should be carefully trimmed to prevent irritation. Use blunt-nosed safety scissors and avoid touching the eyes. Your local vet clinic can help.

Why should I bathe my dog?

The benefits of bathing can include cleaning the skin and coat, helping to remove loose hair, scale and debris and improve the hair coat’s shine. For dogs with healthy skin and a healthy coat, the most common reason to bathe is to remove an unpleasant odour or because they’ve accumulated dirt on their coat. For dogs with specific skin conditions, bathing with a special dog shampoo may be part of their medical treatment plan as recommended by their vet.

How often should I bathe my dog?

How often to bathe your dog will vary between each individual dog breeds and their particular needs. Essentially, dogs should only be bathed when necessary. So if your dog smells normal (remembering that most dogs have a healthy dog smell that is not unpleasant) and they are not dirty, then bathing is probably not necessary at that stage. If dogs are bathed too frequently, this can dry out their skin and coat, which may cause problems. Dogs with skin problems may require different bathing schedules as part of their treatment plan and your local vet can provide advice.

Which type of dog shampoo should I use?

• Choose a shampoo specifically designed for dogs. Dogs have sensitive skin and their skin pH is different to the pH of human skin, so human shampoo products should not be used on dogs.
• For dogs with a healthy skin and coat, choose a mild and gentle hypoallergenic shampoo. For dogs with skin conditions, your local vet can advise which type of shampoo or product to use to help manage or treat specific skin problems.
• You can also try applying a mild and gentle hypoallergenic rinse-out dog conditioner after shampooing to help prevent dryness after shampooing.
• Test patch a small amount of products first to make sure there is no reaction or irritation. If your dog seems irritated at all – talk to your vet and try a different product that doesn’t cause any irritation.