Dog grooming is an essential that every owner needs to incorporate into their routine. Whether it is the luscious curls of a Cockapoo, or the thick mane of a German Shepherd, dogs of all kinds need grooming.
From day-to-day tips to long-term changes, Hannah Sparrey and Annabel Hesketh, co-founders of Crumble & Bert have put together five top tips to keep your dog looking their absolute best all year round!
Diet
The food you provide for your dog is a good starting point to ensure they have healthy skin and fur. Not only does nutrition help with overall health, but certain foods have key vitamins and nutrients to aid the look and feel of a dog’s coat.
For example, dry or processed foods with little fibre or other nutrients can leave fur brittle, and dull. On the other hand, fresh foods that are highly nutritious, such as eggs, fish, almonds, or peanut butter, all contribute to a shiny, strong coat.
As with all foods you give your dog, be sure to check for any potential health risks in the ingredients.
Regular brushing
Although many dog coats have evolved to be ’self-cleaning’ as they shirk a lot of day-to-day dirt, they will still need your support for more intensive grooming.
Regular brushing will remove the build-up of dead hairs and help distribute the natural oils in their fur. This will keep your pooch looking more evenly trimmed and less shaggy.
Not only this but brushing your dog can be a great bonding exercise when building a relationship between dog and owner!
Research what works for your breed
Grooming requirements are unique to each breed – and even different variations within a breed! For example, an Irish Water Spaniel will need a completely different regime to that of an English Cocker Spaniel. They may both be Spaniels, but their individual requirements are different. Sounds complicated, right?
Knowing your dog breed and their fur type is vital to understanding how you can make them look their best. Mishandling their grooming can lead to issues with matting, stunted hair growth and poor skin health, so plenty of research is paramount!
Whether you speak to the breeder, your vet, or look for expert advice online, finding out the type of grooming your dog requires can reduce the likelihood of further complications that may arise.
Bathe the correct amount
With their active and outdoors lifestyle, dogs inevitably need bathing from time to time, especially to fit the modern human households they live in.
However, there is such thing as bathing too frequently as an overabundance of chemicals in shampoo can have a harmful effect on your dog’s skin and fur. Reducing their bathing to when necessary will give your dog’s fur time to breathe and manage itself.
Be aware though, on the other hand, not bathing frequently enough can cause fur to become matted, dirty, and discoloured with the potential for health issues if not handled properly.
Learn to love grooming
As with anything, you will find some dogs are happy to be groomed while others may not take to it – but that’s okay! You and your dog can learn to love grooming together and make it a positive part of their routine.
Enjoying the task ensures it’s not a chore for you and your dog, so they aren’t distressed and associating grooming with feeling anxious or scared.
This can be achieved through your attitude and body language towards grooming, how it is introduced, and a rewards system for good grooming behaviours. After a few good sessions, it can become a relaxing and enjoyable affair for both you and your pooch!
Conclusion
Grooming is an essential part of dog ownership and should be a consistent part of your routine. Whether it’s management through regular sessions or ensuring their diet is rich and nutritious, a well-groomed dog is a healthy dog, and a healthy dog is a happy one!
As with so much of dog ownership, doing what’s best for your dog’s breed will lead to the best results, so research is key. If you have any concerns about your dog’s skin, fur, or overall health, you should always speak with your vet as soon as possible.
