When a dog comes home with seeds, burrs, bubblegum, or other debris stuck in their fur, it’s a good sign that it’s time for a grooming session. Tangled or matted fur can be uncomfortable for dogs and can lead to skin damage and infections.
Persistent bad odors may indicate a buildup of wax or dirt in your dog’s ears. Groomers can help keep their ears clean and healthy.
1. Dirty or Matte Fur
Dogs with long hair need professional grooming on a regular basis to keep their coat healthy and tangle-free. Groomers use quality shampoos, conditioners and brushes to get the job done. Matted fur can pull on your dog’s skin and can cause pain, irritation and other problems. A grooming session is the best time to brush out your pet’s tangled hair and reduce matting before it becomes too serious.
Groomers can also feel over your pet’s body for any tangled or knotted areas. If they notice anything unusual, they can advise you on ways to care for your pet’s coat between grooming appointments. If the matting is severe, a groomer may have to shave down to the skin to remove it. This can be painful for the animal but “humanity before vanity” is always a groomer’s top priority, says Verplank.
Dirty fur can also create odors that affect the health and well-being of your dog. A bath helps to eliminate dirt and allergens that can irritate your dog’s skin and cause other health issues. A good bath also gets rid of parasites like fleas, mites and ticks.
A good grooming session can even improve your pet’s behavior. When dogs feel clean and comfortable, they’re less likely to exhibit stress behaviors such as excessive licking or chewing on their paws. Plus, when a dog feels at his or her best, they’ll want to play and cuddle more with you! Grooming sessions are a great opportunity to bond with your pet and build trust. Groomers are trained to recognize signs of anxiety and stress, and they’ll do everything they can to ensure your pet’s comfort. This will lead to a better relationship between you and your dog in the future!
2. Unpleasant Smells
The obvious sign that your dog needs a professional grooming session is if their fur and skin are unclean. Dirt, mud and debris from playing outside can build up on your pet’s body over time. It can also become embedded in their fur or irritate their skin. This can lead to infections and unpleasant odors.
Your pet’s ear canal is home to a normal population of bacteria and yeast that can cause bad smells when overgrown or infected. A foul odor may be an indicator of these problems, along with other symptoms like redness, sensitivity, head shaking and scratching.
A fishy odor on your dog’s backside is typically a sign that their anal glands are overexpressed. This is usually a normal occurrence, but it can be a sign of an infection or even cancer.
Yeast and bacteria can cause a funky, fishy odor on a female dog’s vulva. This is a sign of an infection, and it’s best to have the issue addressed by a vet.
If your dog has tear stains around their eyes, a grooming session can help get rid of them safely and effectively. Tear stains can make your pet look older and unkempt, so having them removed is a great way to give them a fresher appearance.
If your pet’s nails are overgrown, it can be uncomfortable for them to walk and run. It can also cause them to splay their feet, which increases the risk of injury and arthritis. A grooming session can trim your dog’s nails properly, so they’re the right length and healthy. The groomer can also make sure their paw pads are protected from irritations and injuries.
3. Tear Stains
Tear stains are the reddish-brown streaks that form on and around your dog’s eyes. While most commonly seen in white dogs, they can affect dogs of all colors and breeds. Tear staining is caused by an overflow of tears that mix with a natural pigment (porphyrin) in the precorneal fluid and become stained. While it is usually a cosmetic issue, tear stains can also indicate an underlying health issue and are sometimes a sign that your dog has eye infections or allergies.
The most common causes of tear stains include blocked or narrowed tear ducts, eye infections, and irritation from dust, debris, or other environmental factors that cause excessive tearing. Certain breeds are prone to forming tear stains due to their facial structure, especially flat-faced dogs like Pekingese and Shih Tzu. Other conditions that can lead to tear stains include a shortened muzzle or bulging eyes, as well as the genetic condition called imperforate punctum that can occur in cocker spaniels and poodles.
Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent or treat tear stains. For example, meticulous grooming helps remove any dirt or debris from your dog’s face and can help eliminate any tear stains that have already formed. Using stainless steel, porcelain, or glass food and water bowls can also help prevent tear stains by eliminating bacteria that can be harbored inside them. Additionally, feeding your dog a healthy diet and avoiding any foods or environment that triggers allergies may also help reduce tear stains.
While there are many products on the market that claim to be able to get rid of tear stains, it’s important that you speak with your veterinarian before trying any treatments to ensure that they don’t irritate your dog’s eyes or lead to any serious side effects. Ultimately, a little bit of experimentation and patience can help you find a treatment that works well for your dog without causing any unwanted side effects.
4. Overgrown Fur or Nails
A dog’s nails aren’t just important for aesthetic reasons – they also protect the joints, reduce friction with the floor, and help your pup maintain balance and stability. Nail trims are a regular part of most professional grooming sessions, and addressing them early can prevent major health problems down the line.
Infrequent nail trimming can lead to overgrowth – especially in dogs with active lifestyles. This makes it harder for your pup to move around without damaging flooring surfaces and may cause abrasions and pain in the feet, ankles, and knees.
Nails that are too long can curl into the paw pad, creating painful sores or infections. They can also interfere with a dog’s natural gait, altering their posture and leading to joint stress and arthritis in the longer term.
When nails are trimmed regularly, they stay short enough to be easily grip the ground, helping your dog walk and play freely. They’re also less likely to snag on or damage furniture, making your home more comfortable and preventing injuries for both the dog and their owner.
Keeping up with nail care isn’t always easy, though. Many pet owners put it off due to time constraints or a dislike of the process. When you hear your dog’s nails screech against the floor, it’s a clear sign that they’re too long and need to be trimmed. If you’re looking for a hassle-free option, consider booking professional grooming services for pets at home to ensure your pet is well-groomed in a comfortable environment.
When you trim your dog’s nails at home, it’s essential to have a pair of clippers specifically designed for dogs and to be familiar with how to cut them properly. Using the right technique will reduce your pup’s discomfort and minimize the risk of cutting the quick, a blood vessel that runs through each nail and supplies nutrients. Make sure to have styptic powder on hand in case you accidentally cut the quick, as this will stop bleeding quickly.
5. Impacted Anal Glands
Anal glands, or anal sacs, are small fluid-filled pouches that sit just inside a dog’s anus (bottom). They have two primary purposes: to produce a foul-smelling fluid that marks the animal’s territory and to lubricate hard stool to make it easier for your pet to pass feces. When a dog’s anal glands become over-filled or impacted it can cause discomfort and even infection of the surrounding tissue, known as sacculitis.
Healthy anal glands usually discharge watery secretions automatically each time a dog passes solid feces. However, if a dog is not expressing their anal glands regularly, they may build up thicker, gritty secretions that can eventually lead to impaction. This condition can cause extreme pain for your pet, leading them to scoot their butt across the floor repeatedly and excessively lick their rear end in an attempt to relieve the pressure.
If left untreated anal gland impaction can lead to infection and, in severe cases, abscess formation. This is a serious health issue that requires immediate veterinary attention.
Grooming sessions provide a great opportunity to manually express a dog’s anal glands and keep them clear of obstructions. During an entire body examination, the veterinarian will pay special attention to your pet’s anal area for any signs of scooting, irritation or leaking.
A routine professional grooming session with a licensed and experienced veterinarian will help uphold your dog’s hygiene, preventing infection and other health issues in the anal gland region. Schedule an appointment today to see how your pet can benefit from a thorough, professional grooming session.