Groomer's
Helpful Tips
Regular grooming is important for dogs of every breed no matter their coat type. Grooming helps to check for skin issues, possible parasite infestations, and keeps your dog's overall hygiene in check. Grooming is also a great way to bond with your dog.
These tips will help to establish a grooming routine keeping your dog feeling happy and healthy.
Why Frequent Nail Trims are Important
When are dog nails too long?
If you can hear your dog's nails clicking on the floor, that means it is time to get them trimmed. Several Problems can occur when the nails are left to overgrow: Nails become frail and fracture easily, an overgrown quick can cause pain, bleeding, and infection, paw pads and toe joints may become uncomfortable and can lead to possible future skeletal abnormalities.
Ideally, a dog's nails should be short enough that when they are standing on a firm level surface, the nails are not touching the ground, but long enough to help aid them when climbing, or digging.
How to Make the Quick Recede?
Giving frequent gradual nail trims and adequate activity is key to keeping dog’s nails short. After trimming a small portion of the nail every seven days, the quick should gradually recede farther into the nail bed.
Allowing your dog to walk on hard, abrasive surfaces is another helpful way to allow the quick to recede naturally.
How Long Does it Take for Nail Quicks to Recede?
Just like humans, it varies. Some dogs have nails that grow faster, thicker, and longer than others. It also depends on your dog’s activity level and age. A dog that is more active is more likely to have shorter nails.
What is the Quick and Why Does it Overgrow?
The quick of a nail it the innervated, vascularized core of the nail bed. It provides nourishment to the nail which allows it to grow.
The quick grows with the nail and when nails are not trimmed on a regular basis, the quick may lengthen so much that it reaches the tip of the nail. When this happens, it becomes difficult to trim much off without the risk of cutting through the quick.
Brushing
Start with the feet, work your way up to the body. Then start with the rump working your way towards the head.
Brushing in this manner will help to clear a pathway and help make brushing easier.
Red -- High Priority, Brush First
Yellow -- Medium Priority, Brush Second
Green -- Low Priority, Brush Last
Why Dogs with Double Coats Should Not be Shaved
What is a Double Coat?
A double coat consists of two layers; The undercoat and the topcoat.
The undercoat is very dense and full of short wooly-like hair. It serves mainly to keep the dog protected from extreme temperatures.
The topcoat is longer, fluffy hair. It helps to repel moisture and dirt.
How to Properly Care for a Double Coat?
Practice regular grooming. Brushing your dog 3 to 4 times a week will help remove dead hair and slow shedding. This will also help to ensure that hair is free from mats. Bathing every 1 to 12 weeks is ideal.
What Happens When You Shave a Double Coat?
When you shave the coat, you cut the guard hairs (topcoat) and remove the undercoat leaving the skin vulnerable and exposed. Causing the dog to feel hotter, increase shedding, have skin problems, and sunburn.
Shaving a double coat can have long term effects. Some of the coat may never grow back the same, or at all. Often the coat texture is changed. The coat is also more prone to matting.
Mats
What is Matting?
“Matting” refers to densely tangled clumps of fur in a pet's coat. If a coat is not properly and/or frequently brushed, loose and live hair become embedded in large masses. Sometimes mats can be combed out, but if left too long, it is impossible without seriously harming the animal.
Why Care About Mats?
Since mats rest tightly on the skin, they often hide pre-existing conditions. Shaving them can cause or reveal injuries such as inflammation, infections, restricted movement and blood circulation problems.
Importantly, mats on ears restrict blood flow so they can cause hematomas, a solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues. Removing mats can trigger a sudden rush of blood to the ears. Thus, bleeding can occur; typically, at the tips of the ears.
Why Do Mats Have to be Removed with Clippers?
Mats are removed with clippers because it is usually the safest option.
Brushing mats out could be painful and cutting them out with scissors is usually avoided because the skin could be cut.
How to Prevent Mats?
Remember to comb your pet prior to a bath or swim; especially if he or she is a long-haired breed.
Visit your groomer every six to eight weeks if you have a breed that requires a haircut.
Remember you can always schedule a comb out for your pet in between grooms.
How to Brush?
Gently brush with a metal comb and make sure the comb touches the skin; not just the top layer of the fur.
Remember to comb your pet’s entire body including the outside of the tail, inside and outside of his legs, and the entire outside of the ear (including behind it).
Oral Care
Why should you care about your pet's teeth when their wild cousins don't brush their teeth?
Because our pets have a more processed diet that contains more starch than in the wild. Plaque and bacteria becomes more easily developed and this makes the process of decay speed up. Just like us, our pets are vulnerable to gum disease and tooth decay and should be cared for with regular brushing.
How long does it take for plaque to turn into tartar?
It takes only 48 hours for plaque to harden and turn into tartar. At this point, it becomes almost impossible to remove. It will take a vet to remove the tarter, in which case they are put under anesthesia. Note, this is an expensive procedure.
Why should you care about your pet's oral care?
Keeping your pet's teeth and gums clean and healthy will prevent tooth loss, bad breath, gingivitis or periodontal disease, pain (dogs have a natural instinct to hiding pain), and organ damage that effects the heart, liver and kidneys.
What are the signs of dental disease?
The signs of dental disease include; Broken teeth, loose teeth, bad breath, painful or bleeding gums, refusal to eat or drink, and excessive drooling (more than usual).
What can you do to ensure your pets have a healthy mouth?
Brush, Brush, Brush their teeth! Starting at an early age will help with them become better accustomed to the whole process of having their teeth brushed. But regardless of their age, it is never too late to start.
Brushing your pets teeth daily is great but at the very least be sure you are brushing every 48hrs.
Also, be sure to ask your veterinarian about dental cleanings.
How do you brush your pet's teeth?
First begin with introducing them to the toothpaste by putting a little on your finger.
Raise their lip and rub your finger onto your pet's gums and teeth. Once they get used to this, you can introduce a toothbrush.
Start by brushing in a circular motion from the gum line to the tip of each tooth. It is important to gradually work your time up to 30 secs. per side.
Do Not use human toothpaste for this is toxic to them and these are meant to spit out. Be sure to use toothpaste that is made for dogs and cats.
Be sure not to "share" toothbrushes amongst multiple pets for bacteria can spread.