Keeping on top of your dog’s grooming needs is a really important part of canine welfare, so we’ve come up with some of our top tips on what you can do at home in between their visits to the groomer:

Paws

• Check between toes and paw pads regularly to make sure they are clear of foreign objects and mat-free. Keeping paw pads clear of hair can also help dogs with gaining traction and regulating their body temperature.
• Brush paws regularly to avoid matting and to get your dog used to paw handling – so many dogs are foot-shy because they are not used to their paws being handled and brushed, so start them young and keep it up! You can also use a paw and nose balm to protect against dryness and/or cracking.
• Consider the temperature underfoot; roads and pavements can get too hot or too cold for dogs. If the ground is too hot to touch then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. If you’re unsure, place the back of your hand on the ground for seven seconds, if you struggle to keep it there then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. 
• Walking on pavements or concrete can help to naturally wear down nails and keep them from getting too long. For advice on clipping your dog’s nails at home, check out our blog on doing this safely and giving your four-legged friend the perfect pawdicure!

Ears

• Regularly check inside your dog’s ears for discharge, inflammation or smells that could indicate infection.
• Keep up with regular cleaning; use a pet-specific ear-cleaning liquid and cotton pad to gently swab the ear and remove debris – do not use water, and do not probe beyond where you can’t see.
• Brush your dogs ears well and often to ensure they are free of debris and prevent mats, which could indicate ear problems, or, if severe, cause haematoma.
• Dogs with dropped or folded ears may benefit from having the hair around their ears professionally trimmed to improve air circulation.
• Keep water out of your dogs ears and nose, to reduce the risk of infections and drowning, respectively. Coming into summer, also be aware of the dangers and risks of water intoxication, particularly for dogs that like to swim and/or retrieve in water, play bite water from the hose or just over drink after exertion.

Eyes

• Eyes should be clear, bright and white; dogs can also suffer from hayfever, which can make eyes red, watery and itchy.
• Eye cleaning is easily done using saturated cotton wool balls to soften any gunk, which can then be gently dragged/wiped down and away from the inner corner of the eye. A very fine flea comb is a great tool for carefully removing softened gunk.

Teeth

• Bone broth-soaked carrots kept in the fridge or freezer are a tasty treat for Spring/Summer that can help to clean your dog’s teeth and boost their gut health.
• Dog’s gums should be moist and slippery, rather than dry and sticky, they tend to be coral pink in colour, red, inflamed gums and pale gums can be indicators of poor health to be assessed by your vet.
• Daily toothbrushing is the best method to achieve good dental hygiene. Just like us, plaque builds up on teeth and this will harden with time if left to form tartare. You can use a finger toothbrush or a regular toothbrush to keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean and healthy. We recommend using an enzymatic toothpaste to help break down plaque, which reduces the time you need to spend brushing your dog’s teeth! Check out our blogs on dental disease awareness and general dental health for further information.