| by Colin L Wolfenden
What can you do to improve the health of
your dog, its coat, and its skin that is cheap and effective?
Grooming that's what! A small investment of time and money
for grooming can yield numerous benefits for your dog's
health!
Is your dog's coat looking dull, tatty and
matted? Is your dog's sad looking coat causing you to
worry about his/her overall health? Sometimes the simple
things can often provide very effective benefits, and
in the case of the health of your dog, grooming is one
of these simple measures that can yield big results.
Dog health and grooming go hand in hand
as the act of grooming has numerous benefits that can
help prevent many dog health problems before they arise.
Like humans, regular grooming and attention to changes
in the skin, eyes, and teeth can help maintain health
and prolong the life of your pet, as many indications
of possible health problems are noticed and addressed
before they progress to something more sinister.
Health Benefits of Grooming
* Grooming removes dead hair leaving only the healthy
hair behind, which immediately looks better. It also lets
air circulate through the coat better reducing any odor,
keeps the dog cooler, and looks cleaner. It is also a
good idea to bath your dog regularly with a quality dog
shampoo to further improve the benefits of general grooming.
* Grooming stimulates blood flow, which in turn improves
blood supply to the hair follicles working wonders for
the health of the overall coat.
* Grooming also stimulates the lymphatic system, thus
having a positive affect on the dog's overall health in
the same way that a massage does for humans.
Residual Benefits of Grooming Aside from
the more obvious physical health benefits of grooming
there are other benefits such as: -
* Bonding with your Dog - While grooming your dog
you are helping to create a bond between you and your
pet because of the physical touching and interaction.
This also has a positive effect on the dog's emotional
state as it feels more comfortable and safe in your hands.
Dogs always love the attention they get during grooming.
* Knowing your pet - While grooming your dog you
get to know your pet better and know what he/she likes
or dislikes, and its favorite and least favorite places
to be touched or brushed. Knowing your pet will help you
to notice any changes that may indicate a health problem,
for instance if your dog suddenly flinches when touched
in an area where it usually loves to be touched would
alert you to investigate the cause of the tenderness.
* Spot Possible Health Dangers - While grooming
your dog you can check the skin for possible skin rashes
and problems like hair loss or lumps. Also check for signs
that your dog has been scratching a certain area of the
skin which would indicate some sort of irritation such
as worms, fleas, mites or ticks. Ticks in particular can
be deadly if left undetected and a thorough visual check
of the dog's skin should be a regular part of your dog
health and grooming strategy. It is a good idea to check
the eyes for any signs of sight or health problems while
grooming your dog. Also check the pads and nails of the
paws for problems that may require attention along with
the teeth for signs of decay or gum problems.
Possible Bonus Benefit for You
If you find that you enjoy grooming and become quite competent,
you may consider starting your own dog grooming service
to make a few extra dollars or perhaps turn it into a
full time business. Dog grooming services are in high
demand and can be very profitable. There is nothing better
than making a living doing something that you enjoy.
What You Need to Start?
It is important to get the right grooming tools and information
on grooming techniques. The internet has is a wealth of
information about grooming along with numerous sites that
sell a range of grooming tools. Other sources are local
pet supply stores or alternatively most towns and cities
have a local dog association where dog lovers can meet
and exchange ideas. Public libraries may also have books
on dog grooming.
The benefits to your dog's health by regular
grooming far outweigh the small outlay of money for the
grooming tools, and time spent grooming. Your dog's coat
will look shiny and healthy and the health of your dog's
skin will also be improved. Spend a little time on your
pet and he/she will love you for it.
About the Author
Colin L Wolfenden holds a Bach of IT, is webmaster for
http://www.impressiveebooks.com
http://www.my-resource.com
and is author of articles on a variety of subjects
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