The Basics to Doggy Hygiene
You have most likely been taught about personal hygiene since the time you started walking, but when it comes to our four-legged friends it’s a different story. Baxter’s K9 Complex in St. Louis wants to share the important care tips for you owners to keep your dogs happy and healthy. Here we have pinpointed what type of care and how much of it your dog needs.
Brushing Your Best Friend
Brushing is an essential part in promoting a healthy coat, it not only will help reduce the unpleasant body odour but also can rid them of parasite infestation. On the plus side most dogs enjoy it and it can strengthen the bond between dog and owner. Once or twice a week is the proper amount to keep short haired dogs healthy, but long-haired dogs need to be brushed daily. For the dogs with thick or wiry hair, for example fox terriers, should have their coats trimmed three to four times a year to remove dead hair. All dogs will need to be brushed more frequently in the spring and autumn when the new coats are growing in. We suggest rubber-tooth brushes and horsehair brushes, as well as wire bristles, are good to use because of their ability to comb out loose hair from the undercoat. We hope this helps you take the proper time to keep your dog’s coat healthy.
Bath Time
When it comes to giving your friend a bath it really depends on your preference of how often they get bathed. Unless a dog has skin problems there is no specific need to bathe the dog except making him an enjoyable companion to have around. This does not apply to the dogs that are out rolling in the dirt, no one wants to be around your dog if it smells like they’ve been playing in the pond. We recommend you bathe a dog with normal skin once a month with dog shampoo or baby shampoo. If you would like to bathe them more than that, use a soap-free or moisturizing shampoo to prevent dry skin. The head should be left out of the washing process to avoid soap getting in their eyes and ears. Dry your dog after thoroughly or use a hairdryer. Dog’s ears are extremely sensitive, so you should examine their ears regularly for earwax or unpleasant odor. You can remove dirt from the ear with a damp cloth, do not try to use cotton buds on your dogs ear canal. If there appears to be a problem we suggest you advise with your vet.
When to Break Out the Toothbrush
On the bright side dogs are not prone to cavities like humans, but there are still problems that dogs can develop with their teeth that can lead to life-threatening infections and issues including heart, liver and kidney diseases. Brushing their teeth at least a couple times a week using dog toothpaste will help to keep them happy and healthy. So when it comes to brushing a dog’s teeth it will take a canine toothbrush and some strategy. Its easiest to get the job done with a double-headed toothbrush. Most dogs don’t take to the experience at first but the goal is to make it a pleasant experience for both of you. It’s best to choose a time where your dog has had a lot of exercise so you have a better chance of getting them to sit still. Take it slow the first few times and if the dog gets agitated even before you’re finished we suggest you just quit for the night. Increasing the time as they get used to it along with speaking soothingly and pleasantly during the brushing will allow them to open up to the idea. Reward your friend with a treat after, and before long they will look forward to brushing. If brushing is out of the question for your older dogs dry food is better for their teeth and many synthetic bones and chews are designed to make your dogs teeth healthier. Just like humans visiting the dentist, schedule your check ups with your vet so they are sure to have healthy teeth.
Trimming Nails
If your dog roams around hard surfaces, the length of claws will be taken care of more naturally but will still require being trimmed. If you see them getting longer than it could be affecting their mobility, and affect their development. Here is a video of how to properly trim your dogs nails, if you still have questions about your dog specifically its best to bring them up with your vet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2tSJMUx89U
Quick Tips to Keeping Your Pooches in a Hygienic Space:
- Swap damaged or unusualy dirty toys out with new ones
- Keep floors and rugs clean
- Wash dog bedding often
- Clean food and water bowls at least every other week
We hope that these tips have helped with your questions you may have about dog hygiene. Feel free to contact us directly to learn more about our dog training, dog boarding, dog day care, or our indoor dog park.