Why Dog Grooming is so Important to Your Dog’s Health

Bonjour my lovelies!

It’s no surprise that I, a Maltese, love grooming and looking my best. My owner Penelope takes me to the groomer’s often and it’s one of my favorite things – my own spa day.

But did you know it isn’t just about looking gorgeous – dog grooming is important for your dog’s health. True! Here’s how grooming goes beyond looks to keep your dog in tip top shape.

Matted Fur

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Dogs with longer coats may get matted knots of fur that can be not only uncomfortable for your dog, but downright harmful. Matted fur that’s left too long can trap moisture and allow parasites or bacteria to grow, leading to infections and skin problems.

Regular baths and brushing can significantly improve the chances your dog avoids these harmful spots. (Pro tip, Snoozer is making baths easier nowadays by including a free All Natural, Organic Eucalyptus Dog Shampoo Bar with every order! Limited Time Only, while supplies last.) For the healthiest fur and skin make sure to schedule regular visits to the groomer’s for a trim.

Neglected nails

A dog’s nails need to be kept short. Long nails can put pressure on your dog’s toes, making walking and even standing uncomfortable. If allowed to grow for a long time, long nails can impede a dog’s traction when walking and even change their gait, damaging tendons over time. Longer nails are also at higher risk of splitting or breaking, which can bleed and cause even more pain or infection. In short, there are a lot of reasons to keep your dog’s nails groomed!

Owners may be hesitant to trim because they know they can hurt their dog by cutting into the quick of the nail, which is the tender part underneath the hard, outer shell. But by not trimming the nail, you’re allowing the quick to grow longer over time, which means the nail can’t be cut as short as it was previously. If you’d rather not risk cutting the quick, leave it to the professionals and have your dog’s nails clipped at the vet’s or the groomer’s.

Ignored ears

Your dog’s ears can become infected, which can lead to pain, discharge, and odor. (Ew.) A sign that your dog has an ear infection is if you see them rubbing their ear on the floor or furniture.

A simple wipe down of the inside of the ear regularly can help get rid of wax and debris that could eventually cause infection. (Just don’t go far into the ear canal!) Your vet may also recommend ear drops that can be put into the ear canal followed by a quick massage to help disperse the medicine.

A bonus of dog grooming

Grooming your dog gives you an opportunity to get up close and personal and recognize if there’s anything new or abnormal, such as fleas or ticks, bald spots, new lumps or bumps, flaky skin, or something else that’s out of the ordinary. If you do notice something, book an appointment with your vet to discuss it and have it taken care of now, before it becomes a bigger problem.

Get to the groomer

As you can see, there are many good reasons for grooming your dog and taking care of their fur, nails, and ears. If you’re not comfortable doing these things yourself, take your dog to the groomer to make sure it gets done. Remember that it’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity for your dog’s health, plus it’s fun bonding time with your best friend!

Ciao ciao for now!