As pet parents, we often worry about our dogs. We especially have a lot of questions and concerns when it comes to keeping them clean and healthy. And we don’t want to always have to go to the vet to address them!
Here are answers to a few of the most commonly asked at-home dog grooming questions, so you can be sure you’re providing the best care for your pup.
1. How can I help my dog stay calm during bath time?
There are quite a few things you can do to make your dog more relaxed during bath time. Forcing your pup into the bathtub is not one of them. A better idea is to lure your dog to the tub with treats and encouragement.
Keeping a rubber mat on the floor of the tub will help your dog to feel more stable, and keep their feet from sliding around. Use warm water rather than cold for washing. Use a cloth to wipe off their face so no water can get into their eyes or nose.
Using a shower attachment with a hose will help, as you can bring the water to your dog, instead of forcing him under a stream of it. A foaming shampoo with a spray nozzle, such as Vetericyn FoamCare Shampoo, will make application less of a hassle.
Make sure to reward your dog after the bath is over, to reinforce a positive association with bath time.
2. How often should I brush my dog?
How often you should brush your dog depends on what type of hair they have and how much they shed.
Long-haired dogs typically don’t shed, as they have hair instead of fur. However, their hair often gets knotted and tangled and can end up forming mats. Long-haired dogs should be brushed weekly, or every few days.
Dogs with lots of fur, such as Huskies and Chow Chows need to be brushed daily, especially during the seasons when they shed their winter coats.
Dogs with medium-density coats, such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, should be brushed every few days. Bulldogs and other dogs with low density, short coats rarely need to be brushed. However, brushing them every couple of weeks will help to keep their coat healthy.
3. How do I get rid of my dog’s tear stains?
The best way to combat tear stains is to do regular face grooming. Using an eye rinse such as Vetericyn Plus All Animal Eye Wash to flush out the eyes will clean out any irritants [link to infographic].
You should also soak a cloth or gauze in the eye wash and wipe around the eye, being careful not to touch the eyeball, to wipe away any tear stains. Using a gel afterwards, such as Vetericyn Plus All Animal Ophthalmic Gel, will help to soothe any residual irritation.
4. What’s the best way to clip my dog’s nails at home?
Please be careful on this one! It is a good idea to have your veterinarian show you the best way to clip your dog’s nails first.
Not all dogs necessarily need to have their nails cut. Most dogs will wear their nails down naturally while walking and running. Some dogs, such as Dachshunds and Basset Hounds, tend to have problems with their nails getting too long, and may require regular trimming.
Trimming your dog’s nails should be done with a guillotine clipper. Guillotine clippers have a stationary ring through which the nail is placed, and a cutting blade that moves up to slice off the nail when the handles of the trimmer are squeezed.
It may take some work to get your dog familiar and comfortable with the clippers, so showing your dog the clippers and then giving him a treat can help to associate a good outcome with them.
Unlike a human’s nails, a dog’s nails should be cut from underneath and upwards. Dog’s nails have blood vessels running through the base, so you should only trim the top, white area and leave the pink area untouched.
5. What should I do if my dog gets fleas?
If you find that your dog has fleas, you should consult your veterinarian about treatment options.
The easiest ways to spot fleas are by checking your dog’s skin for black spots that fleas leave behind, or by getting him wet as fleas will drown in water and will jump off your dog in search of safety.
If you are comfortable treating your pet at home, your veterinarian can most likely recommend an effective shampoo to kill fleas.
Typically the shampoo will need to be left on your dog for between 5 and 10 minutes, so you’ll need to be able to keep them calm and contained to the bath during that time.
You should get your dog treated immediately if they do have fleas, as the fleas can migrate to your carpet or the cracks in wood floors. You should also vacuum your house after your dog has been treated to prevent any fleas from reproducing in your home.
You never know what mischief your dog might get into, and not every problem calls for a trip to the vet. Now that we’ve answered these important questions about at-home grooming, hopefully you will feel more prepared for whatever comes your way!
Dr. Melinda J. Mayfield-Davis, DVM, WCHP-AH, brings over 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She is the Technical Services Veterinarian with Innovacyn, Inc., parent company of Vetericyn Animal Wellness. She received her DVM from Oklahoma State University and now resides in Southeast Kansas with her husband, two children, four dogs, and six horses. Prior to working with Innovacyn, Dr. Mayfield owned and operated the Animal Care Center in Columbus, KS.
