Tuesday, August 12, 2008

5 Essential Steps to Care for Your Dog

Every dog owner must learn about proper dog grooming & hygiene. Check out these 5 essentials:

Bathe your dog. Some dogs love water while others don't. However, even if your dog hates water, be sure that he takes a bath at least once or twice a week. If he spends a lot of time outdoors, you may need to bathe him more frequently. Ask your vet about the recommended bathing routine for your dog's breed.


Trim their nails. Some dogs wear down their nails naturally but other dog breeds need regular trimming. Introducing nail cutting to your dog is best done while they're still pups as older dogs may refuse. Calmly talk your dog to lie down on the floor where you can firmly get hold of his paws.

When cutting your dog's nails, pay close attention and just cut a bit of the edge to avoid cutting through the vein. If you do, the vein would bleed and this would be painful. Also, your dog may never want to have his nails clipped again.

Brush their teeth. Oral care for dogs is just as important. Like people, dogs can develop dental problems such as bleeding gums, plaque build up, bad breath, tartar, tooth decay, gum infections and pain. Regular brushing using a dog toothbrush and toothpaste  promotes healthy teeth and gums. Also, give your dog dental chews and treats to prevent plaque build-up. Remember to use products that are especially designed for pets.  Never use a human toothpaste on dogs.


Clean their ears. Use a cotton ball to clean the exposed part of your dog's ear. Don't use a cotton swab to clean the inner ear as this could cause infection.

Brush their hair regularly. Brushing your dog's hair is important especially for dogs with long coat. Brushing removes dead hair and tangles and encourages new hair growth.

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