Many dog owners don't realize that grooming is essential to their pet's well-being. It goes far beyond helping the dog look her best. Without consistent grooming, dogs can develop mats and grease in the fur that can have negative health consequences. Matted fur can tangle and become uncomfortable for your dog when you try to brush it out. Having matted fur on the bottom of the paws can even make it difficult for your dog to walk.
Lack of regular grooming can also cause a build-up of grease that increases the likelihood of your dog developing painful cysts on her skin.
These are just some of the reasons your dog needs regular professional grooming as well as ongoing maintenance from you at home. Some of the other benefits of dog grooming by a professional include:
- Keeping the tails neatly trimmed helps to reduce the risk of infection as well as reinforces proper structure of your dog's foot and posture.
- Your dog will shed less with frequent comb-throughs and haircuts, which means less cleaning and vacuuming for you at home.
- Groomers have specialized training to check dogs for fleas, ticks, and other parasites. This allows you to start a parasite prevention program or change products if the one you're using isn't as effective as you would like.
Tips for Gaining Your Dog's Cooperation at Home
You might avoid grooming your dog because he barks, whines, scratches, won't sit still, or otherwise resists grooming. By praising your dog for any amount of cooperation, grooming will get easier over time. Eventually, he may come to look forward to the routine and the extra time he gets to spend with you. While you want to leave the bigger jobs such as nail trims to the professionals, you will need to brush and bathe your dog regularly for great healthy and hygiene.
Include Professional Grooming in Your Dog's Schedule
We are happy to let you know that we offer a complete line of grooming services at Minnesota Veterinary Hospital. Bringing your dog in for routine professional grooming with Angel, our experienced groomer, also helps to complement the things you do at home. Angel will use her training and experience to inform you of any skin, teeth, eye, or other issues your dog has or help you come up with ideas if it's an ongoing struggle to get your dog to cooperate.
Are you looking for high-quality grooming products to keep on hand at home? Look no further than our online store. We can even recommend specific products upon request.
Image credit: iagodina