Grooming and Nail Trimming

Grooming is an integral part of dog ownership and helps build a solid relationship between you and your pet. Bathing and grooming your dog will not only keep them clean and healthy but your home as well. The benefits of bathing can include cleaning the skin and coat, which help to remove loose hair, scale and debris and improve the hair coat’s shine. Always use a dog-specific shampoo. Dogs have sensitive skin, and their PH is different from the PH of human skin, so human shampoo products should not be used on dogs.

Brushing and combing your dog’s fur is an important part of general pet care. Brushing helps maintain your dog’s coat in good condition by removing loose hair and preventing mats & knots. Brushing also helps to distribute healthy natural skin oils over the hair shaft, promoting a shiny coat and helping dirt to slide off of the fur. This can also help to reduce the need to bathe too often.

Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is important too. If nails become too long, it can cause health problems, such as torn nails and even broken toes. Ear cleaning is another part of the grooming regime. All dogs should have their ears cleaned from time to time, but some dogs and certain breeds may need more frequent cleanings. You can either use an ear cleaner from your veterinarian or just use a clean cloth to wipe out any debris. Never put cotton-tipped applicators into the ear any further than you can see. Damage to the ear canal can occur!

You can also try some basic dental care at home. We recommend starting to brush your dog’s teeth as a puppy, to get him/her used to have your fingers in their mouth. You can use a small piece of gauze, wrapped around your finger and wipe your dog’s mouth gently. Or if possible use a soft toothbrush and pet toothpaste. Most dog’s love the flavour of some of the kinds of toothpaste!

How often should I cut my dog’s nails?

On average, most dogs need to have their nails trimmed every 1-2 months. Some dogs may need them trimmed more often if they don’t spend much time walking on sidewalks, hence filing them down. You can tell if your dog’s nails are too long if you hear them clicking on the floor when they walk.

What is the cost of grooming small, medium and large dogs?

We don’t groom dogs at our clinic. We recommend you find a good groomer for you and your pet’s needs.