Dog care

Daily brushing not only improves your dog's coat and removes loose hair and dirt, but also prevents skin diseases and parasites such as fleas and ticks, and improves metabolism. It is also a good way for owners to check on the health of their pets, as well as to communicate with them and build a trusting relationship with them.

 For long hair

Use a slicker brush and brush gently along the fur. If there are tangles, loosen them slowly to avoid pulling. Brush more carefully in areas prone to hairballs (tail, ears, base of the legs, soft fur on the tummy, etc.).

 For short hair

Start by soaking a towel in warm water and moistening the entire body with a tightly wrung towel, as the hair tends to fly out. Using a rubber brush, first brush along the flow of the fur and then brush against the flow of the fur. Afterwards, wipe the whole body with a tightly wrung wet towel again. This will help to clean up loose hair.

 Care tools

The ears should be checked once a week and cleaned if they appear dirty. Be aware that if left untreated, this can lead to otitis externa.

 How to do ear cleaning

The ears are very vulnerable, so it is important to be 'careful and gentle'. Apply ear cleaner to a cotton ball and clean a little further inside the ear, as dirt tends to accumulate inside the ear. Always use a dry cotton swab and make sure there are no wet areas, as wetness can make ear dirt worse.

*Dogs with hair in the ears should start by removing the hair first. If this is the case, do not overdo it and ask the trimming salon for advice.

Nails should be clipped every two to three weeks. Care must be taken not to damage the blood vessels and nerves that run through the nails. If they are left stretched, the blood vessels and nerves will also be stretched and cannot be cut.

 For white nails

Locate the blood vessels by looking through the light. The white (or pink) area in the nail is the blood vessel. Cut in front of that area and round off at the end.

 For black nails

Be careful not to cut a lot at first, and do it gradually, taking a look at the situation. As a guide, if the cut nail surface is rough, it is still far from a blood vessel, and if it is smooth and moist, it is close to a blood vessel.

Dogs have anal glands, which contain a secretion with a peculiar bad odour, in their anus. Large-breed dogs can expel it themselves when they defecate, but small- and medium-sized pups often have to have their anal glands squeezed regularly as it is often left behind.

*If too much secretion accumulates in the anal glands, in the worst case, they may rupture.

 How to do anal gland squeezing

Lift the dog's buttocks and, if the anus is at the 12 o'clock position, you will find a pouch (anal sac) at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions. Pinch it with your thumb and forefinger, push it up towards the anus and squeeze it out. The fluid that comes out has a very strong odour, so rinse it off immediately.

*If it is difficult, you can ask your groomer to do it with you when you ask for grooming or trimming. It will be necessary on a regular basis, so it is advisable to discuss how to do this at that time.

Dogs also have hair on the underside of their feet, which can be very dangerous if left to grow out, causing them to slip on wooden flooring. To reduce stress on the knees and joints, they should be properly cared for.

The feet are a very important part of your dog's life. As they are walked, paw pads can become crusty and, in some cases, cut and bleed. Get into the routine of checking the condition of their paw pads on a daily basis.

Waterless shampooing (dry shampooing) is necessary for dogs that are newborn or older and more susceptible to ill health. The coat is an important part of the dog's condition. Make sure that the coat and skin are clean on a daily basis and check for fleas, ticks, dirt, hair loss, dandruff, etc.