Proper food, regular walks, and visits to the vet when necessary are the first things that come to mind when we think about our pets’ health. But grooming is also a very important part of health care for your dog or cat, besides its aesthetic function.

Neglecting to groom can lead to developing mats in the coat that can be very painful for your dog, especially if they are close to the skin. A matted fur suffocates and weakens your pet’s skin because prevents necessary moisture from it and creates breeding conditions for parasites. Matting can also restrict blood flow and even interfere with the pet’s normal movement.

Therefore, it is best to fix mats as soon as they appear. You can separate the smaller ones with just your fingers and then comb them out with a good, preferably a metal comb.
Regular combing will prevent the dog hair from matting or clumping. Brushing also helps to stimulate the release of natural oils on his coat to make it look healthy and shiny.

You should brush the pet every few days, regardless of the length of the dog’s coat. Brush in the coat’s direction when it is dry.

When dealing with mats, it is better to do this with short fast strokes with the comb, which is less painful for the pet than the slower, firmer pulling. Never cut a matt out yourself, as this can hurt your pet’s skin.

If your dog has a strong resistance to brushing, here’s a tip that may help.
Place the brush in front of the dog so it can become familiar with the tool. Once the dog finished playing with it, pick up the brush and start touching his coat lightly. If your pet doesn’t object to this, reward him with praise or a treat. Likewise, continue to increase the force of the brush strokes until you achieve the desired result.

Regular brushing will make your dog’s coat less susceptible to fleas and ticks, too. Of course, the main remedy here is bathing your pet, which, even if it does not eliminate fleas and ticks, will at least help you spot them and take the measures (flea collar, liquid applicant or pill).

Taking care of your pet’s nails is part of the grooming that is very important for his comfort and health, too. When the nails are too long, the dog adjusts, walking incorrectly, and this can lead to arthritis or deformities. Since many dogs adamantly oppose nail trimming, try to correct the situation with an approach similar to the one described above with the brush. If you are wondering when to approach trimming, the answer is that it should be done if the nails touch the ground when the dog is standing.

When grooming your pet, don’t forget about his ears. To prevent infections, simply wrap a cotton pad around your index finger and gently wipe the inside of your dog’s ears.

All these grooming at-home activities will allow you to always have a clear picture of your pet’s health. You’ll know what his skin looks like, what it feels like to the touch, and you’ll be able to notice changes so you can react in time if it’s a problem.