5 Dog Maintenance Tasks You Shouldn’t Neglect
Having a pup in your life is a delightful addition to any household, but it’s important to remember that dogs do not take care of themselves. Keeping their health and happiness a top priority goes beyond just making sure they’re fed and walked every day. As our dog has grown older, we’ve reflected on the most important maintenance tasks any dog owner shouldn’t skip out on. These tips are quick, inexpensive and worth the investment to ensure your dog lives their longest and healthiest life with you.
1. Ear cleaning
Easily overlooked as part of a dog’s grooming regime, all dogs will benefit from regular ear cleanings. To ensure dogs are comfortable with the process, it’s best to start when they’re puppies. Performing regular cleanings is important as it will allow you to keep tabs on any ear infections or other problems. Find out how to quickly and easily wipe down your pup’s ears at home here.
2. Teeth brushing
As humans, we brush our teeth to keep our mouths clean of plaque, diseases and bad breath. Guess what? It’s no different for dogs! Just because they pee outside doesn’t mean they’re not deserving of a little dental care. Two out of three dogs over the age of three suffer from inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth which lets you know that teeth problems are common among dogs, but easy to prevent. No, you cannot use human toothpaste but luckily they make peanut butter flavored dog toothpaste. Learn more about how to brush your dog’s teeth here.
3. Brushing fur
Brushing your dog’s fur isn’t just for looks, it helps with other health related factors as well. Keeping up with a regular schedule means you’re removing loose hair, dead skin and stimulates the surface of the skin which allows for healthy oil production. Don’t treat it as a chore either, this can easily become a bonding time for the two of you. Most dogs enjoy getting brushed if you’ve got that gentle touch.
4. Clipping nails
Long nails can cause a number of negative side effects to your dog. It can even go as far as causing your dog’s feet to get out of alignment, potentially causing joint problems. Not to mention the obvious discomfort, it’s crucial to keep an eye out for the length of their nails on a normal basis. If you’re bold enough to do it yourself, check out how to properly trim your canine’s nails here.
5. Check for fleas and ticks
Fleas and ticks pose serious health risks to your dog if not taken care of in time. A flea problem can cause issues ranging from topical to internal. If your dog is scratching relentlessly, they will create cuts and scabs which can easily get infected. Ticks are particularly a problem in warmer months and if you live in an area prone to ticks, you’ll need to check your dog’s fur every day for removal of ticks. Ticks are capable of causing many diseases to your dog such as anemia and potential paralysis. Find out how to spot and remove ticks here.
