Good Grooming May Be More Important Than You Think

April is a busy month. It’s not just the first full month of spring, but also Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month, Pet First Aid Awareness Month and Prevention for Animal Cruelty Month.

All of these things do have one very important thing in common – and that’s grooming.

Grooming is beneficial to your dog in a number of ways. Besides being a great way to bond with your furfriend, it keeps him clean and odor free. It improves the condition of his skin by removing parasites, dust and dead skin, significantly reducing his chances of contracting a skin disease.

Grooming your dog is also a great way to give him a check-up at home since grooming isn’t just about a good brush, but a whole-dog cleaning from head to tail. When you groom your dog regularly, you’ll be able to identify any changes to his coat, skin, ears, paws, tail, front and hind quarters, eyes and mouth. This will help you determine if a trip to the vet is necessary.

While you’re grooming your dog, check for bumps, bruises and skin abrasions. You might even uncover hidden injuries, such as a cut on your dog’s paw. In that case, you’ll need to know how to administer first aid to prevent that cut from becoming infected.

Did you know that not grooming your dog is considered abuse? That’s right, if you do not take time to groom your dog, it is considered neglect, and your pooch could actually be taken from you.

Why?

When you don’t groom him – especially if he’s got long hair – dirt, bugs, dead skin, parasites and other nasty creatures will build a home in your dog’s fur and could make him very sick. Ticks, for example, carry a host of scary ailments like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Flea bites could lead to allergies.

There is also the issue of mats. Not giving your dog a good brush on a regular basis could lead to the development of matted hair, which is not only very painful for your dog to carry around, but a huge indicator that he is not being well taken care of.

According to happydogland.blogspot.com, “Mats are uncomfortable because they pull the skin, trap debris and prevent the air flow necessary for healthy skin from reaching it. Regular brushing and grooming keeps mats at bay.”

The bottom line is this: If you are a pet parent, it is your responsibility to provide adequate, if not ample, care for your dog, including grooming on a regular basis. Did we mention that grooming is a great way to bond with your dog? Good boy!

PHOTOS: TerryJ

Sonya Simpkins

Sonya Simpkins is a contributing writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. In her spare time, she loves to take her dogs for long hikes and treks to the beach, out to eat and on long road trips across the county. She then turns those adventures into useful advice for other dog parents who also love to take their dogs with them wherever they go.