Winding Road Kennel Understands Various Pet Care Suitable for Dogs
Universal dog grooming tips for long, wiry, and short hair is our June blog topic. If you’re a dog owner, you know how important it is to practice effective pet care. Just like with humans, proper hygiene keeps dogs healthy and happy. Regardless of whether your dog has long, wiry, or short hair, some grooming techniques are universal. In between taking your dog to a professional groomer like Winding Road Kennel, it’s important to:
- Use an appropriate brush for your dog’s coat
- Try to brush regularly and pluck out old, wild, or unruly hairs
- Wash with mild shampoo
Try to Brush Your Dog’s Coat Regularly with an Appropriate Brush
Regardless of if your dog has short, long, or wiry hair, it’s considered proper pet care to brush regularly. When you brush regularly, it prevents the dog’s fur from getting tangled or matted. You also evenly spread natural oils, and rid the dog’s coat of dirt and loose hair when you brush regularly. Finally, when trying to brush regularly, you help diminish shedding. You shouldn’t brush regularly with any brush, though; effective pet care involves using the appropriate brush for your dog’s coat.
Which Type of Brush is an Appropriate Brush for Your Dog?
The appropriate brush to use for dogs with long hair is a pin brush. A slick brush is an appropriate brush for wiry dog hair. If your dog has short hair, an appropriate brush for its grooming has soft bristles, which includes the slick brush.
Pluck Old, Wild, or Unruly Hairs, and Use Mild Shampoo
Another general rule for proper pet care is stripping — aka plucking — old, unruly, or wild hairs from your dog’s coat. When you pluck these hairs, it stimulates new hair growth, and thins out overgrowth. Plucking is especially important with wiry haired dogs, as wiry coats don’t shed. The easiest way to pluck, or strip, a dog’s hair is using a stripping comb. After you brush and pluck your dog’s hair, be sure to use a mild shampoo when you bathe it.
Why Is it Important to Use Mild Shampoo?
Because dogs’ pH balance is more neutral than humans, not using mild shampoo can disrupt the acid mantle. This leaves your dog susceptible to parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Mild shampoos don’t often have detergents either, so they won’t irritate your dogs’ skin. We recommend using mild shampoo formulated specifically for dogs.
Consider Taking Your Dog to a Professional Groomer for Ideal Pet Care
The most ideal form of pet care for your dog is taking it to a professional groomer. Professional groomers know, and have access to, the appropriate brush to use for which dog. They also perform services like ear cleaning, nail trimming, and oral hygiene. Professional groomers don’t just make your puppy pretty either; they look for cysts, bad skin conditions, and ear infections too. At Winding Road Kennel, we have three full-time professional groomers, including one certified as a Master Groomer.
For more information on grooming and other kennel services in Parkersburg, WV, give Winding Road Kennel a call at (304) 428-3518. Follow us on Facebook for updates. We are happy to discuss more dog grooming tips for long, wiry, and short hair.