Below are several good reasons why all canines should have a good schedule for grooming. Some dogs require less grooming due to naturally shorter and straight hair. However, all dogs require certain basic grooming needs to maintain health and happiness. The good news is most if not all these grooming tasks can be done by the owner in the comfort of their home with the correct supplies. Let’s look at why regular grooming promotes better health for the dog.
First off are the dog’s fur and how a dog regulates body heat. Unlike people, dogs do not perspire as a method to regulate body heat. A dog does this by panting, and through the pads of the feet. Some long haired dogs need to have their hair trimmed short during summer months to prevent overheating and the accompanying dangers of dehydration and heat stroke, while other breeds, like those with double coats, can be better off left untrimmed, as their coats are especially designed to keep them cool. Your veterinarian can tell you if trimming your dog’s coat is appropriate.
Another reason a schedule for grooming contributes to the dog’s overall health is the health of their leg and hip joints. Allowing the toenails to grow long is always bad because this forces the dog to walk on their toenails when they should be walking on the pads of their feet. This in turn will force the dog to angle their feet so they can walk on the sides of the pads. Left uncorrected, this will lead to arthritis as well as other leg and hip joint problems.
You may not be able to see it, but there is very fine hair deep in the ear canals of all dogs. Removing this hair helps keep air circulating in the ear canal which in turn prevents dampness. Constant dampness leads to ear infections, ear mites, and several other potential ear problems.
Often neglected by most dog owners is the need for their dog’s anal glands to be expressed from time to time. These are two small glands in the anus of a dog that secrete a fluid aiding in the ease of defecating. Have you even noticed your dog sitting and then dragging their behind along the floor? We all have, and the reason he or she may be doing this is the anal glands are plugged up and full of fluid, and need to be “expressed” or emptied. Your groomer or vet can do this for a small fee.
Any eye seepage forms a crust at the edges of the eyes and needs to be gently removed. Leaving this crust in place promotes eye infections along with sore spots, and can lead to blindness in extreme cases if the eyes become infected.
Take a few minutes to plan and write out a schedule for grooming best suited to the breed of dog you own. Your dog will be healthier, feel better, and look his best when regularly groomed.
Originally posted by: www.dogingtonpost.com