Basics
Brush your pet at least once a week. Bath your dog at least every three months.
Check your pet's ears twice a month. The skin should be pink, odorless, free of crusts and dirt. Always brush or comb in the direction of hair growth.
Use special combs and brushes that have been developed for specific types of fur and problems. Less is more when cutting nails. If you are not sure, be careful or have the nail cut done by a professional.
In addition to regular brushing, it is important to brush the fur lightly so that your dog is cared for and stays healthy. The frequency of grooming depends on the breed of your dog.
Ear Care
Cleaning a dog's ears is considered a standard activity for all professional animal carers and stylists. A healthy ear has shiny pink skin on the inside.
Healthy ears do not emit an unpleasant smell and have very little dirt or deposits in the ear canal. Many dogs have smooth, hairless ear canals and only need a light wipe with an ear cleaner. Others have hair that grows in the ear canal. This hair may need to be carefully removed to allow air to circulate and minimize the risk of ear problems.
Ear problems can be in the form of odor, excessive discharge, inflammation of the canal or sensitivity of the pet. Look for matting in dogs where long hair covers the ear leather. If one ear is matted and the other is not, you have to suspect a problem with the matted ear. Falling or folded ears are more prone to problems. Moisture increases in ears that fold over the channel opening. If ear leather covers the channel opening, a moist breeding ground for bacteria is created. The bigger the ear, the more likely this can be a problem for the pet.
However, if the ear is full of hair and dirt, the ear should be carefully plucked and cleaned. Use a small amount of ear powder designed for this purpose. The ear powder improves the grip of the hair, reduces the smell and helps to dry out the ear canal. Scatter the powder lightly into the opening and massage the ear. Please note that very strong, dark pollution indicates mite infestation, which requires veterinary treatment.
Claw care
How often should toenails be cut? It depends on the dog and his lifestyle, but most pets benefit from having their nails cut every four to six weeks.
A dog that is “well on its shackles” and is constantly walking on hard surfaces will naturally wear out its nails. This dog probably never needs to have its claws cut. However, animal stylists mainly work on pets that are rarely exposed to an environment that naturally affects the nails.
Over time, continuing to hit long nails on the floor puts excessive pressure on bones and tendons and can cause discomfort to the pet. This pressure, combined with the weight of the pet, weakens the natural structure of the foot. The nails tend to grow curved and can grow into the pad if left unchecked.
Long nails are more than unsightly - they pose a potential health problem. A dog's nail is very strong and untreated nails can grow long enough to weaken the tendon and bone structure of the foot.