Many owners, particularly of breeds with shorter hair, think grooming is just a matter of making dogs look "fru-fru" and that it serves no function to the dog. Let's debunk that. :-)
WARNING: Some images below will depict the problems that can arise from improper grooming, and may be disturbing to some viewers.
Here's an in-depth breakdown of many of the important functions served by a full-service professional grooming.
1. Nails
On the left, you see well-maintained nails. On the right, overgrown nails. Overgrown nails cause many problems. They can break, causing pain and bleeding. They can catch in crevices, twisting the dog's leg or foot and causing injuries. Eventually, they will often curl over and embed into the pads of the feet. Given enough time, they will cause permanent muscle and bone problems as the foot bends and warps trying to allow the dog to walk in spite of the nails.
Nail care varies by dog, small dogs and puppies often require more frequent maintenance than larger dogs. Dogs who are walked frequently make keep their nails properly short on their own. On average, nail trim should be performed no less than once per month.
2. Ears
On the left- a very infected ear. On the right- a healthy, clean, normal ear.
Ear infections can be caused by many things: yeast, bacteria, fungus, mites. The cause often depends on the lifestyle and diet of the dog- diets high in sugar and grains seem to promote yeast infections, frequent swimming can cause fungal infections if the ears are not flushed out properly afterwards, dogs who live outside or spend time with other dogs may contract mites.
The causes and treatments vary, but all can be prevented largely by regular ear care. Dogs with hair growing inside their ears will have the hair plucked out by a groomer to allow for more air flow. All breeds should hair their ears well flushed and wiped with a pet-safe ear cleaner every 2-4 weeks.
Q-tips should never be used in a dog's ears. Also, do not try any of the "home remedies" you can find on the internet, things like olive oil and vinegar do not belong in a dog's ears- use only ear cleaners specifically designed for dogs.
3. Coat & Skin
So your dog doesn't need a haircut? He still could use a groom.
Look familiar?
There are two types of dogs: those who shed, and should be brushed out regularly, and those who do not shed, and should be brushed out regularly. The reasons are slightly different, but the necessity is the same.
Shedding breeds develop layers of undercoat in their fur. The hairs die and fall out of the skin, but become trapped in other layers of hair and do not fall off the body. This hair can become compacted, leave the dog with a heavy pelt of hair that cannot breathe. The skin beneath will stay damp for hours or days after any rain or bath, allowing bacteria and fungus to grow on the skin. Eventually this can develop into hot spots, infections, even hair loss. Regular bathing, brushing, and force-drying help keep the shedding hair out of the coat, and keep the skin beneath healthy, clean, and dry.
Non-shedding breeds are typically said to have "hair". They are not truly non-shedding, but because the hair grows very long and lives a long time, only a few hairs are lost at a time and the effect is not noticeable. This hair requires frequent maintenance to prevent matting.
Mats are not knots or tangles, which can frequently be brushed out or trimmed away. Mats are hardened clumps of "live" hair, "dead" or shed-out hair, dirt, and debris, which are so hard-packed and fused that any form of brushing out is utterly impossible. When hair has reached the point of matting, it is pulling on the skin below, causing bruising and soreness. Often the dogs will chew at the mats trying to relieve the pain, which can cause further skin damage. Water stays in the mats almost indefinitely, leading to skin infections and fungal growth. The only solution to a matted dog is a complete shavedown. The best prevention, is regular brushing, and regular haircuts to keep the dog's coat at a length the owner finds manageable.
Regular bathing can also help any number of skin conditions, including dry skin, allergies, fleas, hot spots, and more. Medicated shampoos do nothing if they're only used once or twice a year!
4. Teeth
Owners typically consider their pet's dental care to be something the vet does every few years for a great deal of money. Like humans, dog's dental care should be an ongoing, even daily process.
Groomers can help by brushing and/or scaling teeth during visits. Brushing removes soft debris and buildup from the teeth, reduces bacteria, and freshens breath. Scaling removes harder plaque buildup.
5. Eyes
Eyes? What can a groomer do for my dog's eyes?
Quite a bit, as a matter of fact.
Long haired dogs grow hair everywhere- even around their eyes. Many breeds develop a "fan" of hair that grows up from their muzzle and towards the eyes. Since many toys dogs have developed problems with their tear ducts which causes frequent eye watering, this hair can rapidly become wet and dirty. Eventually the dirt, debris and moisture will attract bacteria, which can get into the eyes themselves and cause infections. Breeds with facial hair need to have the hair around their eyes regularly trimmed back, and their face washed and well dried to prevent any issues.
6. Conclusions
Already, we've demonstrated that grooming, rather than being "just a haircut", is actually a full-body wellness service for your dog. Every dog can find some benefit from grooming, no matter how big or small, or even hairless!
A good groomer should check for and address all of the concerns listed above. Your groomer should be able to tell you:
-If your dog's skin has developed any issues, what the symptoms are, probable causes, and suggested treatment
-If your dog's ears are unusually red, dirty, or swollen
-If your dog's eyes are red, or if the discharge is discolored
-If your dog's nails are overgrown, embedded, or require more regular care
-If your dog's teeth are a cause for concern, also if your dog's breath is abnormally foul given the state of their teeth (clean teeth and foul breath can be a sign of medical concerns that must be addressed)
-If your dog's anal glands were unusually full, impacted, or potentially infected
-If your dog is experienced any hair loss or change in hair texture or color
So remember: ALL dogs need grooming, ALL year round- winter may be time to let your dog's hair hang down a bit, but that's no reason to let the rest of their needs go unmet!
Until next time!
-Aly
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