Summer Grooming Tips To Keep Your Dog Healthy
Posted on: 7 June 2016
The summer months can cause a lot of health maladies for your dog that can be painful, irritating, or even lead to a trip to the vet. Dog grooming and trimming your dog to prepare them for summer can help keep certain health conditions at bay, such as heat rash, ear infections, and more. Here are some grooming and trimming tips you can use to keep your pets healthy during the summer so you can better avoid going to the vet for summer-related conditions.
Ears and feet
If your dog has long hair between its toes or in its ears, you will want to trim the hairs that are exposed. This helps prevent stickers and grass from lodging in these areas. Trimmed hair in these areas also allows you to be able to see any stickers before they get lodged, and makes cleaning cuts between the toes from walks much easier. You will also want to comb the ear hair regularly to prevent matting, especially if your dog likes to swim in the summer months. As you comb through the hair around the ears, check for soft, rubbery masses that could indicate a tick in your dog's skin.
Neck
Your dog's neck is a main heat source on their body, and can lead to chafing and heat rash, especially if they wear a collar regularly. Signs of a heat rash on your dog's neck or throat area include:
- wetness or odor
- excess heat and stickiness to the touch
- scabbing, bald spots, or open sores from scratching
You can prevent heat rashes on your dog by always drying out their collar if they get it wet from bathing or swimming and keeping the area brushed regularly. Matted hair absorbs moisture and can irritate the skin, especially around the neck and chest areas on your dog. If you do notice a heat rash on your dog, cut away the fur from the wounded area and take your dog to the vet for possible treatment to prevent infection.
Hindquarters
Your dog's hindquarters are a prime location for fleas and ticks to nest in the summer months due to the moisture and hard-to-reach location. You can prevent these pests from attacking your dog by regularly brushing their hind-end and trimming excess fur between their legs and around their private areas. Talk to your vet about a year-round or seasonal flea and tick prevention prescription that can further help your dog keep these parasites at bay.
You can help your dog have a happier summer by keeping their fur trimmed and groomed. If your dog experiences any rashes or other skin conditions, talk to your vet to see what they can do to help your dog's condition.
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