Now that the weather is getting warmer, we have been inundated with calls for grooming, both cats and dogs. Grooming is an important part of your pet's health, and should be done on a daily to weekly basis. Grooming also helps you and your pet to bond with each other.
As many of you know, these are my dogs. They require a lot of grooming. The two dogs on the right require more brushing than the two on the left because they are a non-shed breed. Non-shed breeds such as poodles and Bichon frises and crosses with them are becoming increasingly popular. What people don't realize is that these breeds and their crosses require daily brushing and a visit to the grooming parlor every 4 to 6 weeks to keep their coats in good condition.
What is the benefit of brushing? Brushing removes the dead hair and dirt. It also prevents matting. Dogs that are brushed regularly also have shinier coats because brushing will stimulate the blood supply to the skin and help spread the oils produced by the skin onto the coat.
Too often, dog groomers are presented with dogs that are never brushed, brushed only occasionally, or brushed incorrectly. The coat will be very matted close to the skin, even if the top of the coat looks fine. Dogs in this condition have to be shaved down. Dogs with a lot of mattes are also prone to skin and parasitic infections because the mattes create a warm, moist environment for bacteria to proliferate. Mattes also make it very difficult for owners to see fleas and ticks. Sometimes dogs with coats in poor condition can even get lice (not the same as human lice). To brush out mattes can be extremely painful and can cause bruising of the skin as the hair is pulled. This can be more distressing to the dog than owners realize.
When your dog is brought to the grooming parlor the coat is brushed, clipped, styled, and washed. The nails are clipped and the ears are plucked (if needed) and cleaned. Your groomer can advise you as to which brushes or combs are most suitable for your dog's coat. Have your groomer show you how to use them correctly, to help prevent mattes and to keep the coat in good condition.
As many of you know, these are my dogs. They require a lot of grooming. The two dogs on the right require more brushing than the two on the left because they are a non-shed breed. Non-shed breeds such as poodles and Bichon frises and crosses with them are becoming increasingly popular. What people don't realize is that these breeds and their crosses require daily brushing and a visit to the grooming parlor every 4 to 6 weeks to keep their coats in good condition.
What is the benefit of brushing? Brushing removes the dead hair and dirt. It also prevents matting. Dogs that are brushed regularly also have shinier coats because brushing will stimulate the blood supply to the skin and help spread the oils produced by the skin onto the coat.
Too often, dog groomers are presented with dogs that are never brushed, brushed only occasionally, or brushed incorrectly. The coat will be very matted close to the skin, even if the top of the coat looks fine. Dogs in this condition have to be shaved down. Dogs with a lot of mattes are also prone to skin and parasitic infections because the mattes create a warm, moist environment for bacteria to proliferate. Mattes also make it very difficult for owners to see fleas and ticks. Sometimes dogs with coats in poor condition can even get lice (not the same as human lice). To brush out mattes can be extremely painful and can cause bruising of the skin as the hair is pulled. This can be more distressing to the dog than owners realize.
When your dog is brought to the grooming parlor the coat is brushed, clipped, styled, and washed. The nails are clipped and the ears are plucked (if needed) and cleaned. Your groomer can advise you as to which brushes or combs are most suitable for your dog's coat. Have your groomer show you how to use them correctly, to help prevent mattes and to keep the coat in good condition.
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