Dog Care: Top 10 Tips

Everyone wants their dogs to look nice. However, hiring a professional dog groomer on a regular basis is expensive and not always feasible from a financial standpoint. Here are 10 helpful dog care hints that will help you take care of your dog like it just left the groomer.

1. Spray against mats and knots

Does your dog's fur contain tangles and knots? If so, a dog detangling spray will become your new best buddy. You may simply detangle knots and comb out matted fur by spraying on the problematic regions and letting it sit for a bit. A knot, though, can have been there for so long and hardened up that you'll need to cut it off with scissors or use a dog trimmer with a blade that trims all the way to the dog's skin, like a #40 blade. Baby powder is a different suggestion that some people find effective for matted fur. 

2. Flea combs are not just for fleas

For dogs with longer facial hair such as Shih Tzu, Schnauzer and most doodle dogs, a flea comb typically works well to untangle fur without causing pain or discomfort..

3. Trim/cut the fur on the dog's paws

Trimming the hair around and between the dog's pads has numerous advantages. It's easier to clean them after they've been outside, and they don't get small branches, plant debris, or other things that can get caught between their hairs after being outside. Without hair getting in the way of their pads, your dog will have better traction and stand better on smooth floors. You can use round-tipped paw scissors, a mini trimmer designed for small areas, or a combination of the two. 

4. Use suitable brushes

Make sure you use the right brush for your dog's coat type. You can find our suggestions for brushes and combs in this guide. 

• For short-haired breeds, you can use a Furminator Short Hair with short teeth if the dog has an undercoat, or a comb with short teeth. 
• For medium-length coats, you can use a Furminator Long Hair if there is an undercoat and/or a comb that can reach the undercoat. A slicker brush with dense thin teeth can also be helpful. 
• For Doodle-type dogs, use a slicker brush with thin close teeth and a comb. 
• For long-haired breeds, use a barbed brush with rounded tips or a carte brush depending on whether they have an undercoat or not.
• For rough-haired breeds, use a slicker brush, and a comb with a little distance between the teeth (for the face). 

There are numerous possibilities because there are a huge variety of dog brushes and combs that can handle various types of fur.  

5. Use a suitable shampoo and conditioner

Use shampoos and conditioners designed for dogs instead of people. Some shampoos intended for human use might be poisonous and unpleasant if ingested. Pick a shampoo and conditioner that are made from natural ingredients. Our Biogance shampoo and conditioner are devoid of phenoxyethanol, parabens, and animal oils and designed for every kind of fur. 

6. Double rinse

Be sure to rinse every bit of shampoo and conditioner out of your dog's fur during bathing. Residues left in the fur can in some cases irritate the skin and cause problems such as dry skin, itching, etc. So rinse twice when you wash your dog. 

7. Exercise before care

If you give your dog a good amount of exercise before grooming, it can help, as the dog will typically be more quiet and calm while you work on it. It is especially useful for younger and high energy dogs. 

8. Waterless shampoo and conditioner

During periods when you are busy and you don't have time to wash the dog, dry shampoo and conditioner spray can be excellent alternatives to a dog bath without water. It maintains the fur so that it is easy to comb and keeps it free of dirt and grime, etc., so you don't need the big trip with regular shampoo, conditioner and water every time.

9. Cut/trim the dog's nails regularly

Many dog owners don't cut their dogs' nails frequently enough. It is difficult to state with certainty how frequently they need to be clipped; a lot depends on the breed and how much exercise and other activities naturally wear them out. But make sure to check at least once per month. If you hear "clicking" sounds when your dog walks on hard surfaces inside the home, it's definitely time to trim their nails because they shouldn't touch the floor. A excellent dog nail clipper should be chosen for your breed based on how robust the nails are. When trimming or cutting the nails, exercise caution to avoid cutting too far. This may result in a small amount of bleeding and a brief time of soreness for the dog. It is also recommended to use paw wax for the dog's foot pads. It helps them stay flexible and prevents cracks and splits, especially when the weather is cold.

10. Keep the equipment clean

Grooming equipment that has not been properly cleaned can harbor bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants that are harmful to your pet. You can help to keep your pet healthy by cleaning your grooming equipment on a regular basis.

Grooming tools that are dirty might not perform as well as tools that are clean. For instance, a filthy brush might not be able to get rid of tangles or debris from your pet's coat.

Your grooming equipment can last longer if it is cleaned and maintained properly. For instance, maintaining a pair of scissors on a regular basis can assist to avoid rust and other sorts of wear and strain.