The winter holidays are fast approaching; now’s the time to make sure your dog is ready for whatever observances you have planned. Many families like to include Fido in their holiday greeting picture and most families include their dog in the holiday festivities, so it’s important to make sure your furry family member looks his/her best!
No matter what activities you have planned, holiday grooming is essential for your dog. No one likes a smelly dog with too-long nails running around the house, especially when you’ve put so much effort into cleaning and decorating.
Here are 7 holiday grooming tips to help you get your dog ready for the upcoming holiday festivities.
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Brush (or comb) your dog every day.
Regular brushing is essential for removing loose fur, dirt and debris. And, if your dog has long fur, daily brushing will keep their fur untangled. Daily brushing also reduces shedding and pet dander, which in turn cuts the amount of loose hair your dog swallows during self-grooming. Want a recommendation for the best type of brush for your pet’s coat type (i.e. a stiff bristled brush or long-toothed comb)? Ask us or set up a time to talk with our amazing groomer. Contact us here to talk with Chris Wirick, our in-house groomer.
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Use the right shampoo for your dog.
It’s best to use a shampoo that’s designed for dogs because it will be gentle and non-drying to your dog’s coat. Don’t use baby shampoo or other shampoo designed for human use.
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Use grooming as a time to assess your dog’s health.
Grooming is a natural time to bond with your dog. While you’re at it, take the time to assess your dog’s overall health. Here are some things to look for while grooming:
- Is the coat shiny or dull?
- Are your dog’s eyes alert or runny or cloudy?
- Are your pet’s paws smooth and healthy-looking or cracked?
- Can you see any parasites embedded in the coat?
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Take the time to brush your dog’s teeth.
It’s easy to put off grooming techniques like brushing your dog’s teeth because most dogs don’t like it. However, since two-thirds of dogs over the age of 3 have periodontal disease your dog’s teeth should be brushed regularly. Periodontal disease can cause loss of appetite, gum soreness, eventual tooth loss, infection and even death. If you are unable to brush your dog’s teeth regularly, it’s a good idea to have a groomer take care of this for your dog. Canine Campus offers teeth brushing for a small charge while dogs are in-house for grooming. Let us know if you’d like us to take care of this very important dog grooming detail.
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Keep your dog’s nails trimmed.
Most people don’t realize toenails that are too long cause your dog pain when he/she walks on hard surfaces. Long nails can cause health problems for your dog, such as tearing and infection. Vets recommend a gradual adjustment to nail trimming if your dog has fear. Our groomer is very skilled and gentle when she clips and dremels your dogs nails. A nail Dremel allows the groomer to smooth the nail tips as well as take a bit more off than just a regular clipping. Ask at drop-off for a nail trim/dremel (or shower or full groom for that matter) and we will do what we can to take care of your dog the very same day.
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Don’t use human hair dye on your dog.
Be aware that human hair dye can irritate your dog’s skin and can make him/her sick if ingested. It’s best to steer clear of hair dye on your dog.
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Remove pet odors in your home.
You may not notice the dog smell in your home, but you can bet your guests probably will. One way to remove the smell without masking holiday scents is to use an odor neutralizer. One option to consider is Wahl’s Natural Odor Neutralizer that is safe to spray on pets, furniture or wherever odors linger.
Get the Best Dog Grooming Services at Canine Campus
Want to spoil your dog with a spa treatment from at Canine Campus? Have your dog professionally groomed by our licensed groomer at our on-site professional grooming salon, Campus Clippers. Our top-notch groomer, Chris Wirick, specializes in breed-specific haircuts and the Furminator process for shedding dogs. Chris also offers stand-alone nail trims/dremels, ear cleaning, teeth brushing and anal gland expression. Give us a call at 719-448-9600 to schedule your dog’s grooming appointment today! Learn more here
Want to give our grooming services a try or want grooming services before the holidays? For a limited time we are offering a $5 off dog grooming spa experience at Canine Campus. Click here to download coupon and bring it with you. Coupon expires 12/31/2017 so take advantage of this offer soon!
I didn’t realize that periodontal disease in dogs can cause loss of appetite and gum soreness. I’ve been trying to figure out how we can take better care of our dog. I think that we’ll have to learn how to best do this on our own, but for now we’ll take her to get this service done.
Hi Gerty – thanks for dropping by our blog! I think a lot of dog owners aren’t aware of the impact poor dental hygiene can have on their dogs. I’m glad we could share this vital information with you.
Thanks for bringing to my attention that you should keep your dog’s nails trimmed. My dog doesn’t like to sit still for that, and I’m worried about hurting her. Maybe I could take her to a groomer since they have more experience and can be more careful.
It’s nice to see someone grooming their dogs so well. I have seen many long haired dogs with huge mats in them they go to a groomer hoping they can save the hair and the groomer has to shave all the hair off. I wish more people groomed their dogs properly. Thanks for sharing this great tips.
Hi Teresa,
Thank you for visiting our blog and sharing your thoughts. I agree that it is important to keep your dog properly groomed!
~ Joelle