Taking care of a dog’s coat is not only a matter of aesthetics. It is true that seeing a dog with a shiny coat enhances it’s beauty. But make no mistake: caring for a dog’s coat is also a matter of health. Keeping the coat of these animals healthy and well cared for has a positive effect on their well-being. We all know that it is the coat that protects them from the outside. But it is also a sign of our dog’s health.
Knowing how to take care of a dog’s coat is part of being responsible owners. And, given the importance of this commitment, we want to give you some tips on how to do it correctly.
Brushing Regularly
Brushing should be included in our daily schedule, especially in autumn and spring. Depending on how deep our animal’s coat is, it will need more care in autumn and spring. In addition, maintaining a regular brushing pattern will have a positive impact on the hygiene of our home. And not only in autumn and spring but throughout the year.
How to take care of a dog’s coat necessarily involves choosing the right brush for your dog. As important as regular brushing is, something that we must take care of is what to do it with. Choosing the right one among the different types of dog combs that exist is very important. If our dog has a good deep coat, he will need a carder. If, on the other hand, his coat is denser on the outer layer, it will not be necessary.
You also need to know when to brush. Because, although it may seem like a good idea to do it after bathing, it is not. Wet or even damp hair is harder to detangle. And not only that: it can also be annoying and even painful for our dog. Therefore, brushing should always be carried out either before or after, but only when it is completely dry.
Bathing according to the coat of each dog
How often a dog should be bathed is quite relative and, again, depends on each dog. It is recommended to do it every three weeks or, maximum two months depending on the dog’s coat. Long-haired dogs will need more regular baths, while in the case of short-haired dogs we can do those every two months.
Choosing the ideal dog shampoo for your dog is also very important.
Paying particular attention to their food
A dog’s coat is a mirror of a their general condition. It is true that the animal’s genetics also determines the characteristics of its coat. But make no mistake: only a healthy dog will have a lush, shiny and silky coat.
A natural diet is essential to take care of a dog’s coat.
Choosing the best dog food is something that worries most dog owners. And, to sum it up, there are two fundamental aspects to it. On the one hand, that it is food made with top quality ingredients. On the other hand, on the benefits of natural dog food. Only with nutritional formulas free of dyes, preservatives and other ingredients we will achieve that our animal be in perfect balance.
Maintain thight hygiene of the mouth, tail, eyes and paws.
Beyond brushing or bathing, taking care of a dog’s coat is a daily task. It is important to include in our daily routine certain grooming habits for our animal. Sanitary wipes for dogs will help us to take care of a dog’s coat in these areas.
It is really important to regularly clean the hair on the paws and tail. Two areas that are very exposed to bacteria and dirt during our daily walks. We must also be rigorous with the mouth area. One that is usually stained, both with food and with outside elements such as dirt. We can clean it with a wet sponge or, to do a more deep clean, disposable wipes for dogs.
And, finally, take care of their eyes: cleaning them periodically with a wet cotton allows us to remove any dirt that may be around them. This will avoid discomfort and eye infections.
Pay special attention to the condition of the hair
As we said, the coat is a great indicator of a dog’s health. Any alteration on it can be a sign that something is going on. For this very reason, checking it’s general condition should be part of our routine. It will not only allow us to detect if the animal is suffering any kind of infection or attack from a parasite that may be compromising it’s welfare, but it will also alert us of any alteration in our dog’s organism.
If we see that our dog is losing more hair than usual, his coat losing it’s luster or that he is scratching too much, it would be a good idea to visit the veterinarian.
