The importance of grooming a dog cannot be stressed enough. Unkempt dogs are more prone to picking up parasitic friends like fleas, ticks, and worms. Dogs with longer hair tend to mat when not groomed regularly. These mats become painful for dogs when left unattended for long periods. The discomfort a human feels when their hair is tangled up behind their neck is the same discomfort a pup experiences when their fur mats into clumps.
Dog grooming meets the dog’s basic physical needs, making them more socially acceptable. A well-groomed dog smells better, looks better, feels more comfortable, and is less likely to become injured from snarls or nails catching.
The Importance of Regular Grooming for Your Dog’s Health
While the majority of dogs equate a nail clipping procedure to the pleasantries of dental work without Novocain, it really isn’t all that bad. Nail grooming is an important part of dog health. Clipping the nails keeps them from snagging and prevents the nail from curling around and growing into the skin, which can become a costly and painful issue. It’s simply easier on both you and your dog to ensure they accept the need for nail trimming. Nails left untrimmed for months will eventually hamper your pup’s ability to walk properly.
Dogs who aren’t regularly bathed aren’t the most pleasant-smelling pets. The lack of bathing also leads to more matting of the hair, which is not only unsightly and painful but can become a physical threat as well. If mats are left for an extended period and begin pressing against the skin, they can cause inflammation and even small cysts. Dogs who play outside are likely to get all kinds of debris caught in their fur, including burrs, twigs, and ticks.
Dogs that require a basic trim to keep their little bangs out of their eyes should be regularly maintained to avoid fear biting. Just as humans can’t properly see the world behind their hair, neither can dogs. When you allow your dog’s hair to overgrow their eyes, you’re restricting their vision and sense of security in the world. Being touched unexpectedly may startle them, and in extreme cases, it increases the likelihood of fear biting. Fear biting is a dog’s reaction to being afraid and, in an effort to defend themselves from perceived danger, they may bite before understanding what is happening.
Caring for your dog’s teeth is part of the basic grooming routine that should be done at least every two weeks. Brushing the teeth and using a dog-appropriate mouthwash helps kill bacteria, reduce bad breath, and prevent periodontal disease. Annual cleanings are vital for a domesticated dog’s dental health. Lacking the natural resources wild wolves and feral dogs have to clean their teeth, domesticated animals rely on their humans to meet their dental needs.
While underestimating the importance of dog grooming may not be an issue for about 50% of dog owners, understanding the proper tools to care for your dog is not as common. After all, the dog brush aisle is extensive—how do you know which brush suits your dog’s fur type? Undercoat rakes are specifically for dogs with undercoats. An undercoat can be determined by the ability to pull out chunks of fur beneath the top layer. German Shepherds are a prime example of a dog with an undercoat. The undercoat rake helps remove this underlayer of fur. Small bristle brushes with tiny metal teeth work well for dogs with heavier fur but no undercoat, such as Irish Setters. Soft coat brushes are best for dogs with thinner fur, like Dalmatians.
The better the maintenance of your dog, the happier and healthier they will be. The importance of dog grooming is as vital as feeding your dog. You can feed your dog low-quality food, but it won’t provide the same health benefits as higher-quality food. Grooming doesn’t have to be elaborate; it’s not necessary to put little barrettes in your dog’s hair. However, keeping your dog clean, well-brushed, and regularly bathed will go a long way toward their overall health and happiness.
