Humans spend countless hours in front of the mirror combing and washing out hair. We spend tons of money to ensure we look our best. So why can’t we ensure the same standard of self-care and grooming for our furry companions? Regular grooming does so much for our pooches; it helps prevent their fur from matting and their skin from getting excessively itchy. Regular shampooing and brushing their fur can help uncover potential health problems, ranging from lumps to skin issues.
A little bit of pet grooming goes a long way. We’re here to break down some common misconceptions and myths about pet grooming, so that next time you don’t think twice before booking a doggy spa day.
Myth #1: Not All Dogs Shed
It doesn’t matter if it’s short hair or long hair, or no hair at all. All dogs shed their fur. How much fur they shed depends on the type of breed and the type of coat they have. Even breeds that are considered low-shedding- like Yorkies, Poodles, and Maltese – lose strands of hair every day. The reason they don’t shed as much as say a Golden Retriever or a Husky is because they don’t have an undercoat to shed according to seasonal changes.
Myth #2: Short-haired and low-shedding dogs need less grooming
While it is true that short-haired breeds of dogs don’t need as much brushing as other breeds, other forms of grooming are vital for their well-being. Regular nail trimmings, occasional shampooing, and ear cleaning can help maintain their hygiene and by lightly brushing their hair, you can ensure the distribution of natural oils in their coats.
Myth #3: Grooming replaces baths
No! Grooming does not and cannot replace baths. They both serve their own purposes. Through baths, you can ensure that ticks, fleas, and other parasites are eliminated from your pooch’s skin. And through grooming and brushing, you can help remove dandruff, dirt, debris, and dead fur; leaving their fur healthy.
Myth #4: Human shampoos are just as good as pet shampoos
Have you ever tried using a shampoo that is not suited for your hair? The results are never appealing. Similarly, shampoos designed for humans don’t work as well on dogs. Dog shampoos are specifically designed, keeping their hair’s PH balance in mind. The end results in a softer and fluffier coat. Whereas with human shampoos, dogs can get dry skin, rashes, flaky skin, and other irritable skin problems.
Myth #5: Nail trimmings are a quarterly affair
Dog parents/owners often tend to neglect the necessity to look after the nails of their dogs, a common issue that can lead to discomfort for the pet, and damage to your property. Nail clipping needs doing quite often because if nails get too long, the dog can’t run or move
properly and will scratch most things in their path. A tool such as a pet nail grinder works much better than a clipper, it’s safer and easier to use.
Myth #6: Grooming is a seasonal necessity
Grooming, much like any other form of self-care is a year-round necessity for your pet. Some people think grooming isn’t required in winters or that more grooming is required in summers. This is all false information. The occasional washing, grooming isn’t something that a dog needs constantly. Especially if you live in an apartment and don’t raise a breed that’s hooked on running and rolling around, bathing is only needed every 4-6 weeks, nail clipping – 2-4 weeks, hair cutting – depends on the breed and whether it’s a show dog but likely no more than once in 10-16 weeks.
Myth #7: Sedating your dog is absolutely essential during grooming
Some dog owners sedate their pets before a grooming session. However, it’s not a hardcoded requirement since all groomers are trained to handle pets. They get very friendly with them and help them feel comfortable. That being said, as a dog owner you should try and get your dog accustomed to a groomer from an early age as older dogs feel uneasy in new surroundings and may harm the groomer.
Now that we’ve cleared the air about some common misconceptions and myths surrounding dog grooming. Though grooming can be a DIY project, it is highly suggested you call a professional to groom your dog as they would know the best solution for your dog’s breed.
