There are many of us who try take care of the fur Grooming your dog at home. While it may not have a professional finish, you can certainly care for your dog's hair at home if you get the right tools. adequate tools and we learn certain things about their skin, their coat, and their hygiene needs.
Caring for the dog's hair It can be beneficial for both of you. It helps the dog get used to being handled, which is useful in other situations, for example, in the veterinarian or at the dog groomer. But for us, caring for and grooming him can also be relaxing, a habit for both of us that strengthens our trust and allows us to closely examine his skin, ears, nails, and any potential health problems.
Choosing the best tools for hair care
The first thing to do is buy the adequate toolsDepending on the type of coat a dog needs, it will require a specific type of brush, and choosing the right one makes a big difference in the amount of dead hair removed and in the health of its skin. There are dogs with short, long, curly, or wiry coats, with dense undercoats or practically no undercoat, and each requires a different type of brush. specific brushing.
Depending on the coat type, we can distinguish several groups with different care requirements:
- Short, straight hairThey require less time, but appreciate brushing 1-2 times a week with rubber gloves or soft bristle brushes to remove dust and loose hair.
- Double hair (outer layer and undercoat): they shed intensely at certain times and need special brushes or rakes to reach the undercoat and prevent it from matting.
- Long or medium-length hairThey require frequent combing to avoid knots, combining metal combs and detangling brushes.
- Curly or very thick hairIt retains dead hair, so it requires almost constant maintenance and regular trims.
- Stiff, wire-like hairThe undercoat doesn't fall out on its own and needs brushes and, in many cases, techniques like trimming to remove dead hair.
Find out at specialist stores what the best brush for your dogThis way, you'll avoid buying ineffective products and reduce brushing time. If you're also going to cut your dog's hair at home, you can invest in quality clippers and scissors. It will be a bit more expensive initially, but you'll save on grooming and have more control over how often you need to cut it.
Brushing routine at home
El regular brushing It's the cornerstone of coat care. It not only removes dirt and dead hair, but also distributes the natural oils It works from the skin along the hair shaft, improving shine and stimulating blood circulation on the skin's surface, promoting the growth of strong, thick new hair.
Grooming should be done several times a week, and almost daily during shedding seasons, although each dog has different needs that you will see over time:
- Dogs of short hair1-2 brushings per week are usually sufficient, increasing the frequency in spring and autumn.
- Dogs of long or silky hairThey may need daily or every other day brushing to prevent knots and keep the coat loose and airy.
- dogs with curly hairThey require deep brushing several times a week to avoid matting near the skin.
- Dogs of hard hairThey benefit from carding combs and brushes that remove dead hair without breaking the wire texture.
Si vas a wash the dog It's best to detangle and comb your hair before washing it. This removes excess fur and prevents breakage, especially if you have long or curly hair. Wet hair tends to to get more entangled than the dry one, so it's always easier to remove knots before getting into the bathtub.
How and when to bathe your dog
The frequency of bathing depends on the razaThe type of coat and lifestyle also play a role. A dog that lives indoors and goes for walks in clean areas may need fewer baths than one that runs daily in the countryside or on the beach. Over-bathing can remove the protective oils and cause dryness, flaking, or itching.
For reference, many dogs stay healthy with baths every 4 to 8 weeksadjusting the interval according to visible dirt or odor. During shedding, an extra bath accompanied by a good brushing can be helpful to loosen the dead undercoat, provided a specific shampoo for dogs and of suitable pH.
Never use your shampoo, not even baby shampoo, because human skin is more acidic than canine skin. A dog's pH is close to neutral, and human products can cause an imbalance. irritationsLoss of shine and even small wounds can occur. Dog shampoos are formulated to respect the skin barrier and, in some cases, include soothing or moisturizing ingredients.
After applying shampoo, it is advisable to perform a double rinse until the water runs completely clear. Product residue is a frequent cause of itching, dandruff, and unpleasant odors. Thorough drying with a towel, and if the dog tolerates it, with a hairdryer on a moderate setting, prevents moisture from becoming trapped against the skin, especially in dogs with a dense undercoat.
Haircut, trimming and shearing
When cut her hair When grooming a dog, it's best to be absolutely sure of what you want to do. Watching a grooming tutorial for your dog's breed can help you see which cuts are suitable and which aren't recommended for their coat type, especially in double-coated breeds, where a cut that's too short can compromise the coat's insulating properties.
Furthermore, we need to familiarize them with the instruments To help them feel calm, gently stroke them so they associate it with a relaxing experience, and use treats to reinforce their calmness. First, they get used to the noise of the clippers and the feel of the brush or scissors on their bodies, and then gradually the actual haircut is introduced.
Some dogs, especially those from curly hair or those who hardly ever change, need periodic shearing every few months because the hair continues to grow and can form tight mats that pull on the skin, accumulate dirt, and predispose to infections. In wire-haired dogs, however, the following is often used: trimmingwhich consists of manually plucking the dead hair from the outer layer so that the new hair grows with the correct texture.
If you're unsure how to perform a proper cut or trim, it's best to consult a professional. professional dog groomingThere they can advise you on the maintenance interval and teach you what part of the care you can take on at home between sessions.
Daily hygiene and nutrition for a healthy coat
Hair care at home isn't limited to bathing and brushing. Keeping your hair clean eyes, snout, paws and tail area Using specific wipes or moistened gauze helps prevent infections and permanent stains in the coat, especially in dogs with light or long coats. It's also a good time to check the skin for redness, parasites, or areas of hair loss.
La eating It's another essential pillar. Hair is largely made up of protein, so a food with quality proteinHealthy fats and a proper balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids promote a shiny, supple, and resilient coat. When the diet is poor or very unbalanced, the coat appears dull, brittle, and sheds excessively.
In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend specific supplements For skin and coat health, supplements such as omega-3-rich oils, biotin, zinc, or vitamin E are recommended, always adjusting the dosage to the animal's size and needs. These supplements do not replace a good diet, but they can improve skin health in dogs prone to dryness, allergies, or frequent itching.
Adopting a consistent routine of brushing, responsible bathing, proper haircuts, and a balanced diet allows the dog's coat to act as a true protective barrier against cold, heat, humidity, and parasites, while clearly reflecting the overall well-being and health of your companion.