09/10/2012
Whether you have a show dog or just a beloved family pet it is always nice to have a dog with a clean, shiny and healthy coat. While keeping a dog’s coat looking healthy is a bit time consuming and does require effort, it is well worth the time. Children and other family members can help with grooming routines and can also help with the overall health of the dog by getting involved in providing healthy diet, lots of exercise, and keeping a steady supply of clean water available for the dog at all times.
Healthy Diet
Just like with humans, the healthier a dog’s diet is the healthier the skin and hair will be. A good diet with at least 21% protein is important, with active dogs needing a 25% protein diet. Dogs should also be provided with foods that include vegetable material, not just flour, corn or wheat products. These are largely fillers in the diet and contribute little to the nutritional value. Avoid feeding dogs table scraps and human food as this can actually upset their digestion. Some breeders recommend a BARF or biologically appropriate raw food diet that consists of meat, bones, vegetable and fruits. Talk to your veterinarian if you are considering changing your dog’s diet or if you notice the dog’s coat looks less healthy than what you would like it to.
Vet Check-ups
While this may seem obvious it is amazing how many people never take their dog to the vet when they notice the dog’s coat condition start to change. Often a change to a dull coat, excessive shedding or even skin rashes in the coat can be early signs of serious health conditions, allergies, or even mites and other infections. Be sure to check with your vet if you notice your dog excessively licking, scratching, chewing or rubbing his or her coat.
Wet Bathe Infrequently
Over bathing your dog can result in hair loss, skin allergies, brittle and dry hair and a very uncomfortable dog. Most dogs have natural oils in their coat that protects the hair from damage. This is particularly true of double coated dogs that have a soft undercoat covered by a protective and weather resistant outer coat. Some breeds such as the long-haired terriers, Akitas, American Eskimo dogs, Bulldogs and most of the sporting breeds should not be washed regularly as it causes dry skin and strips natural oils that the hair requires. If you have one of these breeds there are commercially available dry grooming powders that can be sprinkled through the hair and then brushed out to remove dirt and doggy odors.
Brush regularly
If brushing is done gently and properly, dogs will quickly learn to enjoy grooming and will not fight or try to hide when you bring out the brush. Regular brushing also prevents tangles and mats that are usually the cause of pain involved with brushing. Start at the bottom of the dog and lift the hair up and off the bottom layers. Gently brush the hair down and in the direction of hair growth. Never brush against the direction of the hair growth, or brush the face, ears, or the ge***al areas with a pin brush or other harsh bristled brush. Use a soft cloth, a grooming mitt or a soft bristled brush in these sensitive areas.
Removing Tangles
If you do encounter a tangle work from the outside of the tangle towards the inside, holding the hair between the tangle and the dog’s body to prevent any pain. A mixture of dog hair detangler and water can be sprayed on the matt and gently massaged in to eliminate the tangle. If you do need to cut the mat out of the hair always use blunt scissors and cut from closest to the skin to away from the skin, with the ends of the scissors pointing away from the dog’s body, not towards it.
