Dogs Grooming Basics

Regular hygiene needs for a dog include brushing their fur, nail trimming, teeth brushing, ear cleaning and bathing.

Brushing

The frequency that you should brush your dog and what type of brush to use, depends on the specific dog’s type of fur (length and texture) and if they are in a seasonal shedding which can occur in the spring and fall. Brushing a few times a week for most dogs will be sufficient. A brushing session is also a good time to look for any signs of problems with their skin, nails, ears, eyes, teeth. Brush gently paying attention that you are not pushing too hard into the skin or pulling too hard in tangled areas that may be sensitive.

Types of brushes

• Bristle brush: A bristle brush is used on dogs with short, smooth coats to remove loose hair and distribute skin oils. It is best for dogs that have a single coat, such as Greyhounds, Boxers, Pit Bulls, Beagles, Boston Terriers, Daschunds or also for an additional smoothing on a double coated dog such as a Corgi.

• Wire Pin brush: A wire pin brush is used on dogs with medium to long coats, especially those with curly or wavy coats. It helps to remove tangles and mats from the fur and distribute natural oils to promote a healthy coat. This type of brush is suitable for breeds such as Poodles, Bichon Frises, and Shih Tzus. These brushes often come double sided to include a pinhead along with a bristle brush. Look for rubber tips over the pins, to prevent scratching the skin.

• Slicker brush: A slicker brush is used on dogs with medium to long hair to remove tangles, mats, and loose fur. It is suitable for breeds with dense coats. The fine wire bristles are close together and angled so as to go through the fur without touching the skin.

• Furminator: The Furminator brush is used on dogs that shed a lot. It is especially useful for breeds with a dense undercoat. It should not be used on dogs that have sensitive skin or do not shed much. The Furminator has a unique blade that reaches under the topcoat to remove loose fur and reducing shedding.

• Rubber brush: A rubber brush is used on dogs with short to medium length coats to remove loose fur and massage the skin. The rubber bristles are gentle on the skin and can help to promote circulation, making it suitable for use on dogs with sensitive skin. Rubber brushes are also effective for removing dirt and dander, making them a good choice for breeds with shorter coats such as Boxers, Bulldogs, and Basset Hounds.

• Rake brush: A rake brush is used on dogs with thick, dense undercoats, especially those that shed a lot. It helps to remove mats, tangles, and loose fur from the undercoat without damaging the topcoat.

• Mitt/glove brush: A mitt or glove brush is used on dogs with shorter coats to remove loose fur and massage the skin. The mitt brush has soft, flexible bristles that are gentle on the skin, making it suitable for dogs with sensitive skin. The mitt design allows for easy, comfortable use and is effective for removing dirt and dander.

• Mat breaker tool. Used on smaller sections of the coat that need tangles or mats released.

Choose the appropriate size of brush needed for your dog (the size will be different between a very large dog and a very small dog).

Do some research pertaining to other functions or benefits to the brush you choose. Example: Some brushes are self-cleaning, some have more comfortable ergonomic grip handles, etc.

Nail trimming

How often you will need to trim your dog’s nails can depend on how quickly your dog wears them down naturally when they walk or run, and how fast your dog's nails grow. If your dog is a lapdog whose feet rarely touch the ground, you may need to trim their nails more often, whereas dogs that like to have frequent runs on pavement or rough surfaces may not need theirs done that often or at all. Typically a dog may need the ends of the nails trimmed about every 3-4 weeks. Tools needed are either a pair of dog specific nail clippers or a nail grinder tool such as a dremel.

The reasons dogs need regular nail trimming is that if the nail gets too long it can touch the floor when they walk putting abnormal pressure causing pain and more difficulty walking (Imagine if you had to walk with your toenails touching the floor!). If nails are left untrimmed they can grow curling under the paw/foot pad and puncturing the pad causing a painful sore/infection. Longer dog nail can also easily be caught when they are running or playing causing an injury and a trip to the vet.

A dogs nail area is sensitive, and care must be taken to complete this task properly so that you only trim off the portion of the nail, and not cut or injure the more sensitive tissue in the nail bed also called the (quick). Many people may be anxious at the thought of trimming the nails, and often the dog is anxious also if they are not used to it and the tools used.

One tip is to bring out the clipper tool for them to sniff and touch several times, prior to the day you plan on trimming the nails so they can start to get used to the tool being next to their paw. Also, when you are petting your dog, sometimes touch their paws and nails, or hold their paw in your hand, in order to help them be less sensitive to someone touching them in this area.

Look at the paws and nails in good lighting, sunlight is ideal to be able to see where the excess growing nail is and where the pick area is (the quick) that you will need to stay away from as this is their soft tissue which has nerves and blood vessels in it.

Reward the dog with treats and praise if they stay still for holding their paw, and also during their nail care.

If the dog is excessively anxious or trying to bite you during nail care, or it simply cannot stay still you may need to have a professional complete the task. Same if you have shaky hands /poor eyesight or dexterity, consider taking your dog to the vet clinic or groomer.

If you accidentally clip into the quick of the dog's nail, the dog may jump and yelp as this is painful. The area will likely bleed. If this happens wipe away the blood with tissue or paper towel and you can use styptic powder, or also cornstarch or flour on the nails tip if needed to help stop bleeding.

There are multiple styles of clippers to use, depending on your preference and needs.

Types of nail trimmer/clipper tools:

• Nail trimmer pliers style (different sizes available)

• Nail trimmer guillotine style

• Nail clippers for smaller animals/scissor-style

• Nail grinder

• First aid Styptic powder

Bathing

Most dogs do not need frequent bathing. A dog’s bathing frequency can depend on many factors, how active your dog is, and the length and texture of their coat. If your dog is indoors, has a short to medium coat and is not very active it may not need a bath for a few months. Of course if your dog gets a good roll in the mud outside or likes to dig, they may need a bath more often. Check with your veterinarian for advice.

• Look for a shampoo that is gentle and pet, planet, and human friendly.
• Have all your bathing supplies ready an in reach, before you get your dog (shampoo, a couple towels, bath mat, wash cloth, a large plastic cup or pitcher may be helpful).
• Dogs may try to shake the water off when being bathed which can spray water. You can wear an apron or old clothes that you do not mind getting wet
• A bathtub is usually easiest for dog bathing, or if your dog is very small you may be able to accomplish this in a sink
• Some pet stores offer self-service dog bathing areas for a small fee, if you prefer to avoid bathing mess in your home
• If your dog is prone to fur tangles and matting, try to brush them out before the bath
• The water used needs to be warm, (be careful it is not cold or hot). Test the temperature of the water on your arm first
• You can use a shower hand sprayer if you have one or simply a large plastic cup to pour water over the dogs' back
• Avoid getting water and shampoo in their eyes and ears
• Use your fingers to gently massage the shampoo into the fur, back legs and feet
• After you finished shampooing the fur, rinse fur with warm water
• You can use a wet washcloth to gently wipe their face, around the eyes, ears, and mouth
• At the end of the cleaning, gently clean the rear end of the dog, use a cup to rinse rather than a sprayer
• Make sure to rinse the shampoo off well, getting in any creases or skin folds
• Your dog will likely want to shake the water off at the end of bathing time, let them shake it off in the tub, or you can put a towel over them quickly to help catch that water shake from getting on you
• Carefully lift and carry them out of the bathtub as it can get slippery
• If you put another towel on the floor, sometimes the dog will instinctively dry themselves off on it
• Avoid letting the dog go outside until they are dry, to avoid them wanting to roll on the ground outside getting dirty again

Dental care

As with humans, oral health is very important for a dog’s overall health.

We as pet owners can do simple preventative measures, and observations at home to hopefully prevent serious dental problems and other health conditions.

Tip: A dog’s teeth and gums should be examined by a veterinarian, at least once every year.

Below are signs that there may be dental issues with your dog that need attention, contact your veterinarian to schedule an examination.

• Does your dog have bad breath?
• Does your dog have a broken or loose tooth?
• Does your dog have extra teeth, such as baby teeth that did not fall out?
• Are your dog’s teeth white, or are they a different color and covered in tartar?
• Is your dog chewing differently? Do they have new issues of drooling, or dropping food from the mouth?
• Is your dog refusing to eat, or eating a lot less?
• Does your dog appear to have pain in or around the mouth?
• Is your dog more irritable?
• Does your dog have any bleeding from the mouth?
• Does your dog have any swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth?

Pets can have many of the same dental issues that people get:

• Broken teeth and roots
• Periodontal disease
• Abscesses or infected teeth
• Cysts or tumors in the mouth
• Malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth and bite
• Broken (fractured) jaw
• Palate defects (such as cleft palate)

By the time a dog is 3 years old, and sometimes sooner, it will likely have some early signs of periodontal disease. This will get worse as your dog gets older if preventive measures aren’t taken.

Early detection and treatment is critical, as advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain.

Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect your pet’s mouth. Other health problems found in association with periodontal disease include kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes.

It starts with plaque that hardens into tartar. Tartar above the gumline can often easily be seen and removed, but plaque and tartar below the gumline is damaging and can turn into infection and damage to the jawbone and the tissues that connect the tooth to the jaw bone. Periodontal disease is graded on a scale of 0 (normal) to 4 (severe). Dental x-rays and cleaning will likely be needed.

Since dogs are unable to sit still for dental work and x-rays, putting them under anesthesia is completed by the veterinary specialist.

Costs for dog dental work can be in a range of $300-$4000.

Factors affecting costs of dog dental work

• The education and location of the veterinary practitioner; A general veterinary practitioner vs a board certified veterinary (dentist).
• The extent of what is needed at the time of the procedure due to the severity of the dental status and the time needed under anesthesia (a simple teeth scraping and cleaning is less expensive than a more complex dental repair or extractions)
• The age and overall health of the dog, an older dog may need more monitoring and testing

How to clean a dog’s teeth at home

So now that you know that dog dental problems are common and can escalate quickly (and costly) it’s time to review some things that you can do to care for your dog’s teeth at home.

Along with annual dental exams and cleanings at your veterinarian's office, the AVMA recommends tooth brushing for dogs and cats. Pet owners can work with their veterinarians to begin a pet dental care routine at home in addition to regular dental exams and professional dental cleanings.

To help keep your pets' mouths clean, healthy and ready for kisses, the AVMA is providing the following tips to help you start a daily brushing routine with your pets

Get the right tools: Select a soft-bristle brush or finger brush made specifically for pets. Don't use toothpaste made for people, as these products could make your pet sick. While there are many pet products marketed with claims that they improve dental health, not all of them are effective. Talk with your veterinarian about any dental products or treats you're considering for your pet, or ask your veterinarian for their recommendations.

Make introductions: Slowly introduce your pet to their brush and paste. Leave these items out for a week or so to allow your pet to examine, smell and taste them, and associate these items with treats to establish a positive connection.

A taste of paste: The next step is to gently apply some of the paste to your pet's teeth and gums, and reward them with treats. This will get your pet used to the process of having the paste in their mouths and applied to their teeth, and establish an association between this process and rewards.

Begin brushing: When your pet is comfortable with the paste application routine, begin to use the brush in your pet's mouth, focusing on the outside of your pet's teeth. Do this slowly and briefly, and award your pet with treats and praise. Gradually build up to longer intervals as your pet gets more comfortable with the process.

To learn more about dental care for pets, including causes and signs of oral health problems in pets and an instructional video on brushing pets' teeth, visit avma.org/PetDental.