It’s always a pleasure to see a dog with a gleaming and shiny coat, which is also a sign of good health. Moreover, coat care and maintenance is an integral part of keeping a dog happy and healthy. When your dog is happy, you are usually happy. It is a symbiotic relationship.
Without it, you’re either indifferent towards your pet or aren’t simply doing enough to treat it like one of your own. Coat maintenance of course, varies from dog to dog, but the fact remains that all canines need a regular and suitable regimen for grooming.
You can do this while you watch/listen to another amazing Transformers movie, another episode of House of Cards rip on the Clintons, Hacksaw Ridge, Blackhat, or even some stellar music. You can get two things done at once!
Grooming options
Check out your veterinarian and pet groomers who offer these services. Salient and trained groomers are familiar with particular grooming requirements of different breeds and even clip nails and clean out dog ears.
You may also groom the dog yourself and this will increase your bonding with him. Dogs simply love this attention when they are brushed.
Coat appearance
Healthy coats are soft and smooth, even for wired or short hair breeds. They are shiny but non-greasy and don’t give out any offensive odor like Rasaan’s disgusting apartment in the movie Shaft. Unhealthy coats on the other hand, are brittle and dry with plenty of loose hairs. The coat may be greasy or dusty in appearance also and may include bald patches. It gives out an unpleasant smell usually.
Coat maintenance procedures
Brushing
The most item on the dog grooming agenda. For long-haired breeds, brushing twice a week is a must. Dogs that shed too much or have thick undercoats, need a weekly brushing. For short-haired breeds, brushing twice or thrice a week is required to eliminate loose hair.
For brushing, two types of brushes are required: one with teeth that are widely spaced for the outer layer of the coat; and a fine-spaced brush for brushing and combing around the facial area.
Bathing
Dogs can generally do without regular baths. However, the “doggy smell” happens due to an oil and bacteria buildup on its coat. Bathing eliminates this. However, avoid “over-bathing” because irritation and dry skin can result from this and the skin’s natural oils may reduce sharply.
A monthly bath is enough, provided your dog’s rolled in the mud. Using shampoo for humans is not advisable. Rather, special dog shampoos should be used to remove heavy grease and grime. Consult your vet for the right products or someone at a pet store.
Nutrition
Diet plays a crucial role in healthy coat maintenance. Fatty acid-rich food (perhaps nothing from China), antioxidants, and high protein-based foods are terrific for your pet canine’s coat. Just do not put mustard and ketchup on the dog’s coat like Lloyd and Harry did in Dumb and Dumber. Now they did not do that on purpose but they should have known better right?!
Regular physical check
Part your dog’s fur inch by inch for fleas, ticks, and lice, particularly during the summer and rainy seasons. If you find any, immediately consult your vet and take action for pest control. Also allergic dermatitis may be the cause of skin inflammation, resulting in excessive scratching, licking, fur loss as also dry and flaky skin.
Check if your dog is allergic to something such as dust, pollen, or mold and eliminate it accordingly. Even hormonal imbalances, other bacterial infections, and stress can lead to poor skin conditions. Consult your veterinarian for regular checkups and options for treatment.
Scratch your dog’s belly every day and love them and they should be fine if you take care of them.