Keep Your Dog Flea Free Through Proper Dog Grooming

Dealing with fleas is always difficult, as anyone who has ever had a dog can testify. Some of the chemicals used to eradicate a flea problem can be dangerous to your dog. It is far better to eliminate the problem at its source, and proper dog grooming can help you with this issue. Consistent and careful cleaning of both your dog and his sleeping area is one of the best strategy for flea control. Regular brushing and combing will help you to detect this problem early, when it is still easy to treat and before those fleas have had time to lay their eggs. In addition, regular pet grooming will help you bond with your dog, and it will help keep his skin and coat in top condition. A healthy dog will have a shiny and beautiful coat. If your dog’s coat is dull and listless it could be an indication of a flea infestation or other skin condition. Brushing a dog can be quite a challenge to some dog owners, especially when you own a long-haired breed. And let's face it, most of us do not have the time or the interest in braiding, curling, poofing, styling, or designing our dog’s hair. This article will give you a few tips that will guide you in brushing your dog’s coat more effectively and efficiently.

Dog Grooming Tip #1 - Keep It Regular

Regardless of your dog’s coat type, his hair needs to be brushed regularly. If you have a long- or medium-haired dog, the best way to maintain a clean and manageable coat is to keep it clipped, unless you enjoy styling your dog’s hair, like many Lhasa Apso dogs or Poodles. Short-haired coats are easier to maintain and only needs to be brushed once or twice a week.

Dog Grooming Tip #2 - Use Appropriate Brush

Many types of brushes available for your dog grooming needs. For smooth coats, a regular rubber brush and bristle brush are often used to loosen and remove dirt and dead hair. For short coats, a pinhead brush gets rid of knots and mats, followed with a bristle brush to remove the dirt. To brush a long-coated dog, start with a comb or a pinhead brush to detangle matted hair, then use a wide-toothed comb for the finishing touch. Dogs with silky-coats need to be combed or brushed using a pinhead brush, followed by a bristle brush to bring out the coat’s natural shine. A nylon bristle works great for your short or medium-haired dog, and a slicker brush easily removes mats and dead hair, which is ideal for everyday brushing. A shedding comb removes loose hair, and a massage brush gives your pet extra pampering. A soft pin slicker is specially designed for dogs with fine, silky, and sensitive skin. A long-coat comb works best for small or toy breeds. An oblong pin brush is used on fine or coarse coats with undercoats, while a regular pin brush comes with wire pins to help detangle mats.

Dog Grooming Tip #3 - Use Flea Comb

A flea comb is a vital piece of equipment for any dog owner, and these specially designed combs are great for spotting even the smallest fleas and even flea eggs. A flea comb has fine teeth and a plastic handle to remove fleas and their eggs from your dog’s coat. When you comb your dog, be aware that fleas will be easiest to see on the stomach and groin of the dog, where there is less hair to hide them. As you comb your dog with the flea comb, the fleas and flea eggs will become caught up in the fine teeth of the comb. Often, laying down a white cloth will help as well since the fleas that jump off will be easily spotted on the light background. Finally, a dematting rake removes dead and loose hair from innermost layer of the dog’s coat while leaving the outer coat untouched. While thorough pet grooming can often help to prevent a flea problem from taking hold, if you do spot even a single flea it is recommended to seek help from your vet. He or she will be best able to guide you to the product that will work best for your pet and your home. Remember that to effectively treat a flea problem you will have to treat all the pets in your home.