Dog care rules

dog inspection

It is the examination of the dog that allows you to identify any health problems, injuries, injuries and the presence of parasites. It is necessary to conduct an inspection regularly, because the dog is daily on the street at least twice a day. During a walk, a pet can easily injure a paw, get scratched or get other damage. Also in the season there is a high risk of catching a tick – and the more closely you monitor the condition of your pet, the lower the risk of serious ailments.

Skin and wool

The skin is the largest organ of the animal’s body, so the skin and coat must always be given due attention. Monitor the condition of the dog’s skin: if sores and eczema appear on it, dandruff, peeling, redness – most likely, the dog has fleas or an allergic reaction to some kind of irritant. In any case, to determine the cause, it is better to take the dog to the veterinarian.

In case the dog has wound up fleas – Of course, they need to be removed. It’s not hard to do this these days. Pet stores offer various means for removing fleas, the most convenient of which is drops on the withers. Be careful when using antiparasitics. They can cause an allergic reaction in the dog in the form of redness and itching of the skin. If these signs do not disappear in the near future, visit a veterinarian. In the season, treat the dog’s coat with special means against ticks.

In a healthy dog wool it will always be beautiful and shiny, but if the coat is dull and falls out badly, it means that there is a problem somewhere in the pet’s body. Dogs, even short-haired ones, need to be brushed regularly, during the shedding period, combing should be given attention every day. This will give the dog a well-groomed appearance, allow you to remove dead hairs, skin particles and light dirt, which, without combing out during washing, will inevitably fall into the dog’s stomach. 

If the breed of your dog provides for a haircut and trimming, do not neglect them. This is not just a matter of appearance, but also a guarantee of the health of your pet’s coat. Some dogs need to remove the hair between the toes, otherwise it will begin to gather in tangles and interfere with walking. Consult the breeder for details on hair care and follow his recommendations.

Ideally, the breeder from whom you purchased the dog is your best advisor and you should be guided by their recommendations. But the owner of a poodle should not follow the advice of a husky owner, since each breed has its own characteristics and care for them is also different.

How often to bathe a dog?

Unlike cats, many dogs are very fond of bathing, which greatly facilitates this procedure. Dogs walk outside every day, and of course they need to be bathed. However, it is better to do this infrequently: once every 2 months will be enough. Frequent bathing with shampoos dries the dog’s skin, provokes dandruff, peeling, eczema, as it disrupts the natural lipid layer of the skin. For washing, it is recommended to use special shampoos for dogs that do not dry the skin, baby soap or baby shampoo. When you finish bathing, thoroughly rinse the products from the dog’s coat.

After washing, dry the dog with a towel or hair dryer (if the pet does not have dry skin), immediately after bathing, do not allow the dog to go out into the draft so that he does not catch a cold.

If the dog gets dirty during a walk, it is best to remove the dirt locally with plain water, without the use of special products. You can remove dust from your pet’s fur with a damp sponge or cloth, simply by wiping the fur.

It is also better to wipe the paws after a walk with a dry cloth or, if they are very dirty, wash them with plain water. In winter, when the roads are covered with salt, after a walk it is better to wash the dog’s paws every time so that there are no problems with claws and pads. If your dog has sensitive, dry skin, lubricate the paw pads with a special wax before walking.

In the summer, you can and even need to allow the dog to swim in clean lakes and rivers. There is no need to wash your pet with special products. In winter, it is useful to brush the dog’s coat with snow – of course, the snow must be clean. Just rub it on your dog’s coat and then shake it off thoroughly – thanks to this procedure, your dog will not only be clean, but also hardened!

What if the dog likes to wallow in the mud?

If your pet always wants to wallow in the mud during a walk, first of all, you need to identify the cause of this unpleasant need. Some dogs try to hide their own scent in this way, a trait inherited from wild ancestors who do this in their natural habitat. Proper upbringing will help to wean a pet from an annoying habit.

But the reason for this behavior of a pet can also be skin problems due to malnutrition, allergies, or, for example, infection with parasites. It is best to consult with a specialist on this issue.

Dental Care

If the dog is healthy and eating properly, then you do not need to provide special care for his teeth. Periodically inspect the dog’s oral cavity: the teeth should be strong, white, without strong plaque and tartar, there should be no wounds or inflammation on the gums.

If you have problems with your teeth, it is better not to self-medicate and immediately contact a specialist. 

To prevent your pet from damaging its teeth, do not allow it to chew on metal objects. In order not to spoil the puppy’s bite, do not pull a toy or a stick out of his mouth, especially during the period of changing teeth. Usually the change of teeth in puppies is easy, without outside interference. But if you see that the molar has already begun to grow, and the milk tooth has not yet fallen out, help the process by slightly loosening the milk tooth and pulling it out with a clamp or miniature pliers in the direction of growth so as not to damage the gum. When a milk tooth falls out, a bleeding hole will remain in its place. It does not need to be treated with anything, since the saliva of the dog itself has a disinfecting effect.

Nail care

The dog’s claws do not require special care, as during the walk they grind themselves on the asphalt. But if you notice that the claws grind poorly and grow strongly, carefully shorten them with a special nail cutter or nippers. Only the tip of the claw (white part) should be removed, in no case touch the pulp.

Ear and eye care

A small accumulation of mucus in the corners of the eyes is a natural process, and in this case, the dirt is simply removed with a clean cotton pad or cloth. If there is a lot of mucus, the dog’s eyes should be wiped with a cotton pad dipped in boiled water. If a strong discharge does not stop within a few days, be sure to visit a veterinarian. Conjunctivitis can be a symptom of an infectious disease. 

Never use eye care products without a prescription from a veterinarian!

Dog ears also do not need regular cleaning. The release of sulfur is the norm, sulfur is a protective barrier of the auricle, so it is not worth cleaning it out. But if too much discharge has accumulated in the pet’s ear, if it turns red, inflamed, the dog shakes its head and shows anxiety, be sure to contact your veterinarian. It can be otitis media, ear mites or other diseases, and treatment should not be delayed. Ear problems are very serious. Ear inflammation occurs in close proximity to the brain, so do not allow complications to occur.

In our article, we have listed the main points on which dog care is based. This is only general information, and in the future you will have to expand and deepen your knowledge about the care of a particular breed of dog. Do not forget that caring for a dog is not a treatment, but a pleasant process that brings the owner and pet closer together.