Regular grooming is important to keep your pet smelling and looking great, but it also has many health benefits. Regular bathing also gives you and your grooming team the opportunity to monitor your pet’s coat and body, making it a great preventive measure against other skin and health problems. The team at Berkeley Veterinary Center created this guide to teach pet owners the importance of grooming so they can understand how grooming affects their pet’s health.
After a day outdoors, it’s clear that your muddy pet needs a bath. But can you remember the last time you bathed your pet when it wasn’t caked in dirt? It is considered.
Regular bathing and brushing are important for your pet’s overall hygiene, not just when they are muddy. There are some possibilities:
- Reduces dog and cat odors
- Reduces buildup of dead skin and other contaminants
- Prevents knots and mats that cause discomfort, baldness and pain.
- Reduces the amount of cat and dog hair that sheds and scatters around the house.
Fleas, ticks, dust, etc.
After spending a day outdoors, pets can pick up all sorts of contaminants such as dust, pollen, and even fleas and ticks. Not only do these irritants enter your home, they can also cause allergic reactions in pets and sensitive humans. Regular grooming and bathing can help prevent this buildup and are a great time to spot signs of a flea and tick infestation.
Nail Trimming: It’s More Important Than You Think
Overgrown nails can be very uncomfortable and painful for your pet. Nails that are too long can affect your dog’s gait, cause pain, and even affect posture. Long nails can get caught in carpets and other fabrics and break off quickly. This can be painful and cause bleeding. To avoid these problems, cut your pet’s nails regularly. If you don’t feel comfortable doing the trimming yourself, consult your veterinarian or local groomer.
Can you hear me?
The ear is an inviting and warm environment, but unfortunately it can attract many unwelcome visitors (even multiple visitors at once). Mites, bacteria, yeast, and fungi can all grow in your pet’s ear canals if you don’t clean them properly and regularly. Accumulation of the wrong bacteria and parasites can cause painful ear infections and lead to hearing loss in dogs. Ask your veterinarian for ear cleaning recommendations that you can use at home using cotton balls. Do not attempt to clean your ears yourself with cotton swabs or anything that extends into your ear canal. Instead, use a cotton ball soaked in the solution. If you’re not sure, hire a professional to keep your pet’s ears clean.
If your pet has foul odors, discharge, pus or blood coming out of their ears, contact your veterinarian immediately. Your pet may have an ear infection and may need medication. Regular and gentle cleaning of your pet’s ears reduces the chance of ear infections.
Keeping your pet groomed is an important and necessary part of caring for your pet. Our Berkeley Veterinary Center team is available to answer any questions you may have about your pet’s health and grooming. Call (732) 269-3600 or request a promise online.
Tags: cat bath, cat fur, dog grooming, flea and tick prevention, cat nail clippers, dog nail clippers