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During the spring, your dog's undercoat sheds to reveal new, sleek fur. Although most dogs shed all year, pups with a thick double coat need proactive trimming to avoid clumps of mattered hair that could become painful if pulled. To combat the knots and excess shedding, start a frequent pet grooming schedule by using the following tips.

How to Groom Your Dog for Spring 

1. Wash With Pet-Friendly Shampoo

Use a chemical-free shampoo in the bath at the start of the shedding season to eliminate flaked skin and debris that accumulated over winter. Only use shampoos specific for dogs, as human shampoo is full of perfume and chemicals that could hurt them. For a dry coat, use a gentle dog conditioner, or an oatmeal-based shampoo. Oatmeal has proteins that protect the skin from inflammation and holds in moisture for most pets.

Use this opportunity to check their ears for cleanliness and signs of mites. Ear mites will clump in the ear canal and will look like brown specks. Finally, check the paws for chafing and apply paw ointment if necessary.

2. Trim Hair & Cut Nails

Use pet clippers to groom around the paws, tail, and eyes, so they feel more comfortable moving around. Places like the legs and armpits tend to mat easily and should be trimmed throughout the year. 

For your pet’s nails, snip off small bits at the end of each toenail. Be mindful of the quick because cutting through it will result in bleeding. Check if you're near the quick by looking through your pet's nails for a pink color under the nail. If you see a spongy substance when you're using clippers, you should stop cutting before that point.

3. Brush Slowly

pet groomingIf you're confident your dog's coat is free of mats and knots, use the proper brush to move the oils from the skin to the fur slowly. A boar bristle brush is suitable for most dogs, while a shedding blade is excellent for pulling out a feather undercoat. For large dogs with longer coats, a wire pin brush works well. Always brush against the grain to pull out the undercoat, and with the grain to smooth overcoats. 

You can try to remove smaller amounts of matted hair or fur, but be careful. Use your fingers to loosen the hair and have a detangling shampoo present to brush through the knots. If your dog's hair is extremely matted, they can develop an infection, trapped moisture, and damaged skin, but frequent trims will help avoid these issues. Extremely mattered fur should only be groomed by a professional to avoid hurting them.

 

If your dogs need help shedding their winter coats, contact High Point Veterinary Hospital in High Point, NC, for pet grooming. Since 2004, this veterinarian has established an excellent reputation throughout the region due to their compassionate and friendly pet care. Call today at (336) 889-3832 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online for more information on their services.

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