Dr. Fords Blog- January

To correlate with this month’s article about our new groomers Paul and Opal, I would like to share a little advice about the importance of having your pet groomed regularly.  Obviously, regular grooming keeps your pet clean and attractive, but groomers often find dermatological ailments during the grooming procedure and can alert a technician about the problem for further treatment.  It is just as important to groom your pet in the winter as it is in the summer.  Trimming and brushing deeply replaces the old outer coat with a fresh coat.  The old coat blocks the skin’s ability to regulate body temperature.  Brushing and cutting out mats also help insulate the body better.  Trimming between the footpads prevents little snowballs from accumulating between the toes, which pull at the hair and are bothersome to dogs.

During every regular groom, Paul and Opal trim the nails, which helps your dog grip floor surfaces better. They express the anal glands, which may become infected if left unexpressed.  They also clean the ears, which can also get infected if left dirty.

If you have any questions or concerns about this subject, please feel free to call us.