A Guide To Brushing Your Dog

As a pet owner, we are responsible for maintaining the coats of our furry friends. Brushing your dogs’ fur plays an important part in grooming your pet as it not only makes them look good but it is also beneficial for their health. Let us take a look at the benefits of brushing your dog:

1.      It Reduces Shedding

Dog shedding is one of the most troublesome for a pet owner as the excess hair falls all over the house and is a pain to clean. However, it can be controlled to a certain extent by regularly brushing your dog. When you brush your dog regularly the excess dead hair gets caught up in the brush which means lesser shedding and it saves you the trouble of cleaning up after your dog.

2.      Helps to distribute the natural oils

When you brush your dog, the natural oils get released and spread around the skin and fur. This not only makes your dogs’ fur coat healthy but also gives it a shiny look.

3.      Removes mats and tangles

Brushing your dogs’ fur helps in eliminating the mats and tangles in the fur. When your pup’s hair is free from knots and tangles then it makes it easier to groom them especially when you have to trim away their fur.

4.      Keep a check on your dogs’ health

While you are brushing your dog, you can check his skin and look out for any infections, unusual lumps, fleas, ticks, cuts etc. and in case you notice any then you can immediately take action.

5.      Creates a great bond

Brushing your dog helps in creating a great bond between you and your furry friend as you get to spend more time with your pet.

Now that you know the benefits of brushing your dog you will want to brush the fur regularly. So, here is a guide about brushing your dog.

1.      Brushing Frequency:

Your dog’s coat type will determine how often you have to brush them. Dogs who have thick and long fur coats need to be brushed regularly while dogs with short fur coats need to be brushed just once or twice a week.

2.      Make your Dog Comfortable:

Some dogs may not like brushing, so before you start brushing your dog make sure that he is comfortable and familiar with brushing. Slowly introduce the brush to your pup and try to reward them with a treat after every brush. After all, a relaxed dog is easier to brush than a scared one.

3.      Use the Right Brush:

Different types of brushes are available as per the different type of dog coats so make sure that you the right brush while brushing your dogs’ fur. Here are the types of brushes available for dogs.

1. Bristle Brush – The bristle brush can be used to brush dogs of all coat types. However, it is most appropriate for dogs who have short hair and smooth coats. The bristle brush is good for removing the dead hair as well as for giving a good shine to your dogs’ coat. There are bristle brushes available with a pin brush attached on the other side which you can use for removing the mats and tangles in your dogs’ fur.
2. Pin Brush – The pin brush is used for tackling the mats and tangles in your dogs’ hair and is also useful for removing the dead hair. This brush can be used on dogs with woolly or curly coats which are medium to long.
3. Slicker Brush – The slicker brush has fine wire bristles which are useful for getting rid of mats and tangles. You can use this brush on all dog coats but it is the best brush for dogs who have wire coats.
4. Rakes – Rakes are the best brush to use if your dog has a thick or double-coated fur since it helps to remove all the loose or dead hair from your dog’s undercoat along with the overcoat.

4.      Brush the Correct Way:

Make sure that you brush your dog in the right way. It is recommended to brush your dog in the direction of which the coat grows. You should also be gentle while brushing your dog or else you may end up hurting him.

Thank you for reading. Do you brush your dog yourself? Do let us know.