There are still a surprising number of people who believe that grooming your dog is purely a superficial and frivolous way to spoil our dogs. However, while your canine will almost certainly come back home looking clean and gorgeous, grooming is actually essential for his health and wellbeing. A clean dog isn’t covered in potentially harmful bacteria, trimmed claws aren’t likely to grow inwards and become infected, and clean teeth can prevent your furbaby from developing a debilitating dental condition called periodontitis.
Many owners are happy to undertake grooming themselves, but unless you are well practiced at performing the various aspects of this type of pet care, it can take time to find the most effective and least stressful way of doing it. If you are hoping to find a dog groomer in Montgomery, AL then you have come to the right place. Our dedicated team can support you with all aspects of pet grooming as well as medical care.
Want to try grooming yourself? Here are our 5 top tips for dog grooming!
Practice is essential
If you are fairly new to dog ownership, the prospect of grooming your dog can seem a little overwhelming. Even something as simple as brushing can take time and practice to get the hang of in order to perform it properly. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time and don’t expect to get it right first time. Getting your dog to cooperate is the first challenge, and it may take a few sessions just to get him to sit still long enough to brush his coat. If you would like some expert guidance and tips on dog grooming in Montgomery, AL, our experienced veterinary team would be happy to help.
Make sure you tailor your grooming routine to your specific dog
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for pet grooming. Every animal is different, even within the same breed, and it is important to make sure you tailor your dog’s grooming routine to his specific needs. For example, short-haired dogs will need less brushing and a different type of brush to a longer, thick-haired breed. Meanwhile, older dogs may need to be brushed or bathed while sitting or lying as they may find it hard to stand for long periods. Perhaps your canine’s claws grow spectacularly fast, or his fur grows more quickly than other animals. Your veterinarian or professional groomer in Montgomery AL will be able to help you find a schedule of grooming to suit your furry pal.
Don’t over bathe your dog
One of the commonest errors made by inexperienced owners is thinking that they need to bathe their dog frequently. It may surprise you to learn that dogs are actually very clean creatures and unless your furbaby has been rolling around in the mud and got himself filthy, you really don’t need to bathe him more than around once a month. In fact, over-bathing him can actually cause him to develop health problems such as skin irritation and a dry coat. This is because over-bathing can dry out his skin and prevent the production of the natural oils that keep his coat shiny and in tip-top condition.
Use your grooming session as an opportunity to give your dog a physical health check
There is literally no better time to do a physical examination of your dog’s body than when you are hands on during a grooming session. Since he is covered in hair, it can be difficult to see exactly what is going on underneath, from parasite infestations to unusual lumps or bumps. However, when you are brushing out his coat or giving him a bath, you will be able to feel or see any abnormalities.
External parasites like ticks are fairly easy to spot. They look like round pebbles and will be buried deep within your dog’s coat. Ticks can be removed using a special tool or a clean pair of tweezers. However, they do carry disease so if you spot a tick on your canine pal, you should pay close attention for a number of weeks to see if your pooch develops any signs of illness. Fleas are harder to spot since they are tiny. However, you might see grains of what look like dirt in your dog’s coat. These are flea feces are they turn red when they come into contact with water since they are particles of digested blood. If you notice any parasites, or any usual lumps, bumps or rashes on your dog, seek the advice of your veterinarian.
If you don’t feel confident with an aspect of grooming, visit a professional
While daily brushing is something that most owners can do without too much trouble, other elements of grooming, such as bathing and fur or claw trimming, can seem difficult or even impossible. If you don’t feel confident with an aspect of grooming your dog, or if you are struggling to find the time, don’t let yourself become stressed about it. Instead, look into hiring a professional. There are full and part time groomers in most town, some of which have their own salons while others will come to your home – something which is particularly good for households with more than one dog or those animals that do not travel well. If you are looking for professional dog grooming in Montgomery AL, look no further than our experienced team here at Goodwin Animal Hospital. We offer a variety of pet grooming services – contact us at 334-259-3900 or in Pike Road at 334-279-0500 to find out more.
