Grooming is the steps of real elegance – Christian Dior
Grooming is one of the most impeccable parts of our life. It is said to be a personality enhancer but stereotypically it has been seen as a “waste of time” procedure. But we don’t acknowledge the fact that grooming is an essential part of socializing especially when it comes to Labrador grooming.
Come on, we all know that we cannot keep our dogs shabby and untidy because, in the end, we have to spend some intimate time with them. Labrador is not so easy going beings in terms of grooming and grooming them might become a tedious, time-consuming, and hectic task. The thought of lice and ticks all over their body can be nerve-wracking to lab owners. Hence it becomes a compulsion to regularly groom our lab. Moreover, they are very moody breeds and they don’t hesitate to play on dusty, muddy, or greasy surfaces. Every surface is a playground for them that is why Labrador grooming becomes painstaking at times. But using any product or method can be harmful to your tyke.
But why Labrador grooming is important?
- Grooming keeps your pet fresh and healthy.
- It minimizes shedding.
- It creates healthy chemistry between you and your lab.
- A thorough inspection can be used to check if there is an infection or abrasion in your lab’s skin.
- It controls parasites like ticks.
Steps for grooming your Labrador
1. A thorough inspection is the perfect starter
You should apply some massaging oil on your lab’s body and massage gently. While massaging, make sure that you do it from head to toe. Check any abnormality or anomaly in your lab’s body, which includes any dry patch, hair loss, bump, or lump. You can use oil or can massage your dog’s skin with bare hands; the purpose of the inspection is to check for any unnoticed bruise or damage in your lab’s body. If you notice anything abnormal, then you should immediately contact your vet. Massaging also makes sure that the dead hair gets loosened and gets ready for the next step which is brushing. Though initial step but is very critical as in this step you check your lab’s skin health. After this, you can follow the next step i.e. brushing.
2. Brushing body hairs
Now, regular brushing is recommended for Labrador because of various reasons; firstly it keeps your lab pristine and spotless. Secondly, brushing can help to variably distribute the natural oils that are present in your lab’s body. And last but not the least; aesthetically your dog becomes more appealing when all its loosened and dead hairs are separated from the body. You can brush your hound twice or thrice a week but this becomes obsolete when lab biannually shed their furs. Regular brushing becomes a compulsion in those days or else it can get really frustrating for your lab. There are different types of brushes that are available for different purposes.
Here is the list of brushes that are useful for grooming.
- Slicker Brush: These brushes are used for getting rid of tangled, loose, and dead hair.
- Bristle Brush: This brush thoroughly distributes the coat oil which heals the coat.
- Pin Brush: It is designed to reduce irritation while brushing.
- Steel Brush: It is also used to remove hard tangles.
3. Bathing
Unlike humans, dogs don’t need regular bathing, although bathing is recommended when the dog gets really dirty. In fact, it is seen that most of the lab’s owners only bathe their dogs once a year! Sounds Dirty Eh! But the thumb rule for bathing is that you should only give bathe when the lab is untidy and dirty. The most disastrous result of frequent bathing is that your pooch’s skin is home to some essential oils which moisturize its skin. Regular bathing can remove those oils and can lead to severe health issues. Vis-a-Vis bathing is one of the ways with which you can groom your pooch and make him/her aesthetically pleasing.
4. Pedicure!!!
Just Kidding, a regular nail trimming session will be absolutely fine. The overgrown nail can be a huge problem for your pooch. It can hinder their walk and can lead to skeletal damage because of their odd walking style. The frequency of nail trimming depends upon the surface on which they are walking. The hard surface generally causes wear and tear so if your floor is made up of any hard material then chances are that their nails will take a longer time to grow. Initially, your lab will hesitate for a nail clipping session but will soon become aware of the advantages of the session. Nail clipping is an important step to groom Labrador as skipping it can cause skeletal damage to the lab.
5. Cleaning Ears
Like humans, Wax can get deposited on your lab’s ear too. This can cause irritation and anxiety. So it is recommended to regularly clear their ear. The easiest way to clean ears is by using a cleaning solution. You can cotton balls and dry cloth for removing excessive wax. Apply cleaning solution and let the wax and debris loosen. Then you can gently take out the wax and Voila! Your lab will get an immaculate ear like never before. Try this step of grooming and enjoy the state of bliss on your dog’s face.
6. Tooth brushing
Now don’t get complex after hearing that dogs too need a toothbrush. The difference being frequency. Dogs too can suffer from dental problems like humans and the best way to avoid that is brushing. Plaque and tartar get built up in the lab’s teeth and it is not surprising that dental problems are on the brink. Now don’t run away to grab your spare toothbrush and the tube of ORAL-B because not every dog requires it and the dogs which require it definitely should not be given human paste!
It is fascinating to know that diet also plays an important role in plaque build-up. A diet that is rich in fiber can help to clean the lab’s teeth naturally, whereas a diet with more portions of other nutrients can build plaque and tartar. You can use toothbrush and toothpaste that are exclusively made for dogs. Using other products can make your lab ill.
7. Pest control
Don’t forget to apply pest control products if there is a horrendous growth of lice and ticks in your lab. Pests can be irritating for your lab and removing it will provide great relief to your lab. You can contact your vet or go to any pet shop for some herbal pesticides.
Conclusion
These were some of the ways by which you can groom your dogs. Remember, grooming is an important procedure to build healthy chemistry between you and your lab. Besides this, you can also take your tyke to the nearest groomer but grooming at home can be economical but time-consuming. There are some perks of hiring a groomer. If someone in your house has an allergy to a dog’s fur then hiring a groomer is an ideal alternative. Grooming at least once a week and bathing when required will keep your hound in a good shape.
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