Five Common Myths About Dog Grooming

Just like you comb your own hair every day and wash it several times a week, you should also plan weekly grooming sessions for your dog. Regular grooming does so much for dogs. Done right, it can keep your dog clean, smelling good, feeling great and looking like a million bucks! But that’s not all—grooming can help prevent all sorts of skin and fur issues, such as matting, itchy skin and bald spots due to scratching. Shampooing and brushing can also uncover potential health problems, ranging from skin issues to lumps.

A little bit of dog grooming research goes a long way. Know what you should be doing for your dog and avoid falling for pet grooming misconceptions. Below is a breakdown of the most common dog grooming myths in Henderson, NV:

Myth #1: Not all dogs shed

Whether they have long fur, short fur or almost no fur, the reality is that all dogs shed. How much depends on the type of dog and their coat type, but they will shed. Even breeds considered low-shedding or non-shedding—such as poodles, Maltese and Yorkies—lose strands of hair every day. These dogs don’t lose much because they don’t have an undercoat to shed according to seasonal temperature changes.

Myth #2: Short-haired and low-shedding dogs need less grooming

Although short-haired dogs don’t need as much brushing as other dogs, they still need other forms of grooming. This includes occasional baths, nail trimming and ear cleaning. Light brushing does remove loose fur and helps to distribute the natural oils in their coat.

Myth #3: Grooming replaces baths

No! Both grooming and baths are important for overall dog health and wellbeing. Brushing removes dead fur, dandruff, dirt and debris, while bathing fights body odor and keeps bugs and parasites off of your dog. Both actions also help owners find unusual lumps or bumps that are difficult to identify when the dog is dry.

Myth #4: Human shampoo is fine to use

The truth is that washing your dog with human shampoo is not an effective cleaning option. Your shampoo is not formulated for dogs and can harm the pH balance of their skin. Additionally, human shampoo can cause your dog to suffer from dry, flaky skin, rashes and/or bacterial skin infections. Always choose a shampoo made specifically for dogs.

Myth #5: Grooming dogs in the winter is not necessary

It’s important to groom your dog year-round, even in winter, and especially for long-haired breeds or dogs with thick undercoats. Winter moisture from rain, snow and mud can mat or tangle your dog’s fur, which can be extremely uncomfortable for your pet. Keep up with grooming your dog throughout all four seasons—this means bathing, brushing, trimming nails and cleaning teeth.

If you have more questions about these or other dog grooming myths going around in Henderson, NV, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Soggy Dog. While we’re currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can always send us an email with your questions or concerns!

Categorised in: Dog Grooming in Henderson

This post was written by Writer