Home » Plants & Animals » Dog Grooming » Home Checkups for Your Dog! - Page 2

Home Checkups for Your Dog! - Page 2

© Chris Chamberlin

Some nails are easier to spot where the quick ends and only practice will make flawless trims. Even the most experienced groomer can nip the quick so be sure to have some styptic powder handy (to stop bleeding). If you do have a nail that bleeds, cornstarch or a soft bar of soap packed into the nail will also stop the bleeding. If you only remove small amounts at a time, you should be able to avoid this. Never snip further back than slightly above level with the bottom of the pad. I prefer to use a scissor type trimmer but the guillotine type is just as effective. Most dogs require their nails to be trimmed every two weeks.

Nothing like a good Ear Rub!

If your dog just loves a good ear rub and really leans into your hand, he probably needs his ears cleaned. It could be that they are just dirty or it could indicate he has an ear infection or ear mites. Long-eared dogs are more susceptible than dogs with prick or upright ears. To clean a dog's ears you should first remove any hair from within the ear canal. Pluck it out with your fingers with a quick short pull and for the stubborn short ones you can use the aid of hemostat scissors to grab and pluck. There are various preparations you can buy to clean your dog's ears, but rubbing alcohol can work well too. Avoid oily solutions, as they tend to attract dirt. A cotton ball soaked in which ever you use and a quick swabbing of their ears twice a month will keep them healthy.

Clean Teeth Mean Clean Breath!

If your dog's breath is really bad, it is most likely due to tartar buildup and gingivitis. Regular cleaning and tooth scaling will save you $ and keep your dog's breath fresh. Just as you brush your teeth for good oral hygiene, a good weekly brushing for your dog is very beneficial. All sorts of matter from hair to food can cause his gums to become infected without cleaning. You can usually get a good used scaler from your dentist and if you start your dog as a puppy, he will allow you to scale the tartar off at home. By removing the tartar with a scaler you can get under the gum line where diseases and infections like pyorrhea and gingivitis can start. Chew toys, bones and dry dog food all help to reduce build up.

The copyright of the article Home Checkups for Your Dog! - Page 2 in Dog Grooming is owned by Chris Chamberlin. Permission to republish Home Checkups for Your Dog! - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.