If you’re like most dog owners, you want to make sure your furry friend is always looking and feeling his or her best. That means regular trips to the groomer for a haircut, but it also means more than that. Grooming includes brushing your dog’s teeth, checking for fleas and ticks, cleaning their ears, and trimming their nails.
Not only does proper grooming keep your dog looking sharp, it can also help detect health problems early on. In this blog post, we will discuss some signs that it might be time for your dog to visit the groomer.
Your Dog’s Fur is Matted, Dirty or Long
If your dog is starting to look a little shaggy, it might be time for a haircut. But even if your dog’s breed doesn’t require regular trimmings, grooming is still important. Brushing your dog’s coat helps remove any dirt, debris, or dead hair that may be trapped in their fur. This also helps distribute the natural oils in their coat, which keeps their skin healthy.
Your Dog is Itching or Scratching
If your dog is scratching more than normal, it could be a sign of fleas or allergies. Checking for fleas is part of the grooming process, and if your dog does have them, the groomer can treat them right away. Fleas and ticks can also transmit diseases to your dog, so it’s important to remove them as soon as possible. Allergies are a little trickier to diagnose, but the groomer will be able to take a look at your dog’s skin and fur to see if anything looks out of the ordinary.
For more tips on how to fight fleas and ticks check out our article on how to protect your dog from fleas and ticks.
Your Dog Smells Bad
If your dog starts to smell bad, it could be a sign that their coat is not being properly cleaned. This is usually due to a build-up of dirt, sweat, and bacteria. A good grooming will clean your dog’s coat and skin, and leave them smelling fresh and clean.
Your Dog’s Ears Stink
Cleaning your dog’s ears is another important part of the grooming process. Dogs’ ears are susceptible to infection, so keeping them clean helps prevent any problems from developing. If you notice a foul odor coming from your dog’s ears, it’s time to make an appointment with the groomer.
Your Dog’s Nails Are Too Long
Finally, trimming your dog’s nails is important for their comfort and overall health. If their nails get too long, they can start to curl under and grow into the pads of their feet, which is extremely painful for your dog. Regular professional nail trimmings will help keep your dog’s nails at a comfortable length.
Your Dog Hasn’t Been Groomed in a While
If it’s been a while since your dog has had a good grooming, they may start to look or smell unkempt. This is because the longer their fur is, the more likely it is to trap dirt and bacteria. If you’re not sure how often your dog needs to be groomed, ask your veterinarian or groomer for advice.
Conclusion
If you’re not sure how to properly groom your dog, or if you don’t have the time to do it yourself, you can always take them to a professional groomer. They will be able to take care of everything for you and make sure your dog looks and feels his or her best.
Do you have a dog that needs to be groomed? Bring them into Berkshire Dogs Unleashed today! We offer a variety of grooming services to keep your furry friend looking their best. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.