You will have a number of new responsibilities to uphold the moment that you become a pet owner. Keeping your new furry friend fresh and clean is just one of them. Ultimately, regular grooming is important for their comfort and for yours as well. Here is everything that you need to know.
Brushing
How frequently you will need to brush your pet’s fur will depend on how long that fur is. Long-haired animals will require daily brushing to help avoid matting and a build-up of dirt in between grooming appointments. Animals with medium length hair will need a good brush every week, and short-haired pets will usually be fine with a brush every other week.
Nails
You will not need to worry about trimming your cat’s nails. Most felines will keep their own nails in good condition by clawing the bark of trees. However, dogs will need a bit of help in this department. Unfortunately, trimming a dog’s nails is a delicate business as they have blood vessels inside the nail at the very bottom. This portion of the nail is called ‘the quick,’ and it can be immensely painful for them if you accidentally cut into it. It is easy to see this portion of the nail in dogs whose nails are white, but it will prove a lot trickier in dogs with black nails. If you are worried, it would be better if you were to take your dog to the groomer or a reputable vet, like easyvet Veterinarian Frisco, to do the trimming for you.
Bathing
Bathing your dog too frequently can lead to skin irritation and itching. You can usually get away with doing it once a month unless your dog spends a lot of time playing outdoors or has especially long hair. No matter what though, you definitely want to avoid bathing your pet more than once a week. Once again, cats are the low maintenance in this regard as they are known to spend hours grooming themselves on a daily basis. No bathing required.
Brushing teeth
If you want to avoid sky-high vet bills further down the line as a result of dental disease, it is essential that you brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis. It is a good idea to start doing this when your pet is still very young as this allows them to get used to the practice. Attempting to brush the teeth of an older dog or cat who has never experienced it before might not be an easy undertaking!
Ask your vet for a pet toothbrush and some pet-friendly toothpaste and get brushing. Be careful not to press too hard and focus on cleaning the teeth at the gum line especially. A decent brushing two to three times a week should be enough to curb bad breath and decay. It is also always worthwhile to give your dog some special dog chews that are designed to help keep teeth clean in between brushing sessions.
A clean pet is a healthy pet! Here’s to good grooming habits and a long happy life.
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