It is important that our dogs maintain a healthy lifestyle and part of that is a regular (beauty) grooming routine. As a professional groomer I encourage my clients to bring their dogs in regularly however there are things that you can keep an eye on in between professional grooms.

Brushing

Cavachon, Poochon, Cockapoo, Cavapoo, Miniature labradoodle, Bichon Frise, Shitzu, Schnauzers etc. I could keep going here for a bit but what do all of these breeds have in common? They all need a regular brush routine. And I cannot stress this enough. Introducing them to a brush early and in a positive way will do wonders for the health of their coat, avoid matting in between professional grooms as well as avoid the dreaded shave off. 

Bathing

Depending of the time of the year I try to avoid washing my dog with shampoo more than once a month. I rinse her with warm water after a muddy walk just to prevent muddy pawprints all over my light grey sofa . But if your dog loves rolling in something dodgy then washing with a gentle dog shampoo is unavoidable. That or bringing them to the groomers to do the dirty work for you ;)

Nails

Daily walks with your dog should keep nails in good condition and length as they are naturally worn down. However, long nails can cause problems and discomfort in walking and should be maintained according to each dog’s individual needs. If you find yourself chasing your dog around the house with a nail clipper just leave it to the experts. Your vet or groomer will stay on top of their pawdicures for a small fee.

Teeth

A lesson I learned early is to brush my dogs teeth often. My dog is only a year and a half and her K9s can have a bit of plaque build up very quickly. She's on a wet food as dry food really wasn't an option due to her sensitive tummy so plaque isn't uncommon for dogs on such a diet. A regular routine with a bit of dog suitable toothpaste and a baby toothbrush will keep the dentist at bay!

Ears

The ears, eyes and paws of a dog require special care and attention to avoid any outbreak of infections and discomfort. There are many products out there to clean ears so which one to use it's up to you and of course vet's recommendation. I use ear wipes to gently wipe the outside of the ear canal.  You'll be able to see or smell an infection yourself or just by noticing your dog is scratching excessively around the area. 

Eyes

Eyes should be clear of any cloudiness, redness or gunky discharge. Mild discharge is not uncommon and I usually wipe this away with a water wipe. And leave the trimming eye hair to a professional to avoid any accidents. This is something I offer free of charge when dogs are booked in on a regular schedule so make sure you take me up on it! 

Paws

Hair in between paws can get tangled with muck as it grows out so it's always good to wipe it or rinse it out properly after a walk. Dry cracked paws also need some attention and there are a few natural balms out there that can help with that.

As with all things related to dog health if anything looks out of the ordinary and worries you, make sure you call or visit your vet. And get pet insurance!