Dog Grooming: Daily, Weekly, and Monthly To-Do List

Dog grooming is a crucial part of dog ownership. Like human beings, your dogs need physical maintenance so they can feel and look their best.

Luckily, they don’t need to bathe as often as you do. But you still need to learn how much grooming they need and be sure to keep it on a schedule.

Generally, the grooming needs of dogs will depend on their hair type and breed. When your dog has an ear, nail, or skin condition, you need to follow the instructions provided by the best vets. Also, it is imperative that you make use of the right grooming tools.

To keep your pets healthy and happy, here are some dog grooming tips to follow on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis:

Daily Hair Brushing

Brushing your dog daily, using the proper grooming tool, is perfect for clearing coats of debris and dirt, controlling shedding, and keeping hair tangle-free.

Spend at least five minutes brushing your pet daily. Choose a spot outside and make this activity your morning routine. This will not just keep your dog looking its best but will also help cut back the time you spend on vacuuming and sweeping. Make sure you reward your dog after a grooming session so it associates grooming with something fun and positive.

Weekly Tooth Brushing

Cleaning your canine friend’s teeth on a weekly basis will help prevent tooth decay and disease, but make sure to use a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste. You can also invest in bones and toys that will help clean your dog’s teeth.

Moreover, the professionals from trusted veterinary clinics say you need to have your pet’s teeth professionally cleaned annually.

Monthly Bathing

Bathing is crucial in keeping your pet happy and clean. Luckily, this is not a daily task as dogs are fine with a monthly bath. An exception to this timing rule is when they have walked through or rolled around their poop or pee or have played around something messy.

Use shampoos that match your dog’s fur and skin type. For instance, if your dog has flaky, dry skin, buy a moisturizing shampoo. You may also buy shampoo for odor protection, hair detangling, fleas and ticks removal, and shine restoration. And if your pooch is a puppy, opt for products meant for younger dogs.

Monthly Ear Care

Your dog’s ears can be a refuge for yeast infections and bacteria, so make sure you clean them regularly during your pet’s monthly bath time.

Wet a cotton ball with a pet-safe ear rinse and gently wipe the under-flap of your dog’s ears. Next, use another wet cotton ball to clean your pet’s inner ears. Make sure you do this as gently as possible.

You can take some dog-grooming practice sessions first to be certain you will do all these actions properly and safely. But if this seems like a lot of work to you, you can always bring your pet to professional dog groomers.

AUTHOR BIO

Dr. Max Spicer is the Managing Partner and Senior Veterinary Surgeon at The Veterinary Hospital in Dubai. He has taken strides towards providing comprehensive service by hiring veterinarians who are flexible, approachable, and highly specialised in their respective fields.