As a dog owner, you must already be aware that there are physical, mental, and emotional benefits to having a friendly animal around you most of the time. According to studies, taking care of pets such as dogs or cats can lead to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels while also helping you manage your feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. It can also push you to exercise and socialize more, which is why pets can also improve cognitive function in older adults.
Of course, this goes both ways and as a responsible dog owner, you also need to play your part in caring for your dog. This includes keeping it clean and healthy, ensuring it is active and happy, and that the place where it sleeps or stays is habitable and comfortable.
Basic Hygiene And Care For Your Dog
There are a few basic routines that you must do to ensure that your dog is well-taken care of. For one, it must be groomed regularly, which includes clipping its hair and cleaning its ears, then brushing its hair weekly using a dog brush. Pest protection is also crucial, so get your dog treated regularly for the usual dog pests like fleas and ticks.
Try to take it out for daily walks to get rid of excess energy and stabilize its emotional condition or hire a professional dog walker to help you when you are too busy to do it yourself. On days when you have to stay indoors, let your dog play with a toy so it can reduce its stress levels and feel calmer.
You also need to get your dog vaccinated based on the set of pet vaccinations required by the law, which can vary depending on the state. It is best to check with your local authorities which ones are mandatory in your area, but the usual inclusions are rabies vaccinations which are given ideally on a yearly basis or at least every three years.
Lastly, you should bring your dog occasionally to professional services like extended rubdowns, flea or tick shampoo treatments, and nail trimming. Aside from these, dog teeth cleaning is also essential because dogs have twice as many teeth as humans, which makes them more vulnerable to issues like tooth decay and gum disease.
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Importance Of Dog Hygiene
Your dog is a part of your family, and it is probably living with you inside your home as well. Thus, you must care for your dog and ensure that it stays clean and comfortable through proper grooming and hygiene. If you still need more convincing, here are more reasons why you need to pay close attention to your dog’s health:
1. Good Dog Hygiene Helps Prevent Diseases
Like humans, dogs are susceptible to illnesses and can become sick from skin infections, allergies, and parasites. As such, poor hygiene can cause issues like hair matting or tangles, which could result in skin irritation and even lead to weakened immune systems. On the other hand, regular grooming and cleaning can prevent dogs from contracting harmful diseases and parasites so they stay healthy and happy.
But what you may not realize is that dog hygiene can also keep you and your family safe. This is because dogs could innocently carry bacteria and viruses that can make you sick even when your pet looks well or is not showing any symptoms of disease. Thus, it is crucial that you keep your dog clean and well-groomed, especially if you live with people who are at higher risk of infections, such as younger kids, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
2. Dog Grooming Creates Bonding Moments Between You And Your Pet
According to the American Kennel Club, dog grooming can help strengthen the bond between you and your pet because it provides an opportunity for physical contact and affection, which dogs love. It is possible that you may have trouble doing this yourself at first, but don’t worry because the process will become smoother and easier over time.
While being groomed, your dog will realize it’s okay to allow its body and feet to be handled without compromising its safety, thus building trust in your relationship. At the same time, you will also get to learn more about its personality and inclinations, which you can use as reference for future interactions. For example, if your puppy has a nervous habit of licking itself when it’s scared or nervous, this will allow you to comfort it lovingly and help it feel safe around other people.
3. Regular Grooming And Proper Hygiene Makes Your Dog Happier
Your dog can also suffer from unhappiness and depression in its own way, and while there are many possible causes for this, there are some things you can do to make it feel better. For one, the physical contact and attention it gets during the grooming process can help reduce its stress and anxiety while providing it with a sense of comfort and security.
At the same time, brushing your dog’s coat stimulates the skin and helps to improve circulation, which can help to keep it relaxed and happy, aside from making its coat healthy and shiny. Additionally, grooming is also an opportunity for you to inspect your dog’s health by checking for any sores or bumps that may need attention from a vet immediately, such as flea bites.
4. Early Health Issue Detection Through Pet Grooming
Timely identification of abnormalities in health can significantly reduce the risk of developing serious health problems. Regular grooming sessions for pets can be an excellent opportunity for early detection of potential health issues. In fact, groomers may observe subtle changes or irregularities in your pet’s physical appearance that you may miss. For example, they may notice hard lumps beneath the skin or signs of gum disease, which could indicate more severe health problems.
By detecting these issues sooner, you can take appropriate action to prevent them from progressing into more serious conditions. Seeking medical attention early on can help you save your pet’s life, as well as significantly reduce treatment costs.
Therefore, it’s essential to prioritize regular grooming sessions and to pay attention to any unusual changes in your pet’s appearance or behavior. In doing so, you can potentially catch health issues in their early stages and ensure that your furry friend receives prompt and effective medical attention.
