Perils of a Hairy Dog

Brushing your dog is not just for good looks.  It is an imperative part of a health care routine for longhaired breeds.  Matted hair if not addressed becomes tangles closer to the skin in time and eventually causes pain as it pulls on the skin.  Shedding hair that has not yet left the coat, burrs and bacteria become trapped and help to cause infection.

Regular brushing can be very enjoyable for your dog so don’t wait until there’s a problem.  With longhaired breeds a brush may move over the surface easily but without addressing the underside of the coat.  Detecting matted areas can even be done with your hands, as you can feel the lumps of tangled hair.  If using a brush, do one small section at a time.  It is best to work brushing out the end tips of the hair and gradually moving deeper into the coat.  A trim or shaving may be suitable for your dog so speak to your vet or groomer.  Please do not trim dogs’ whiskers.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)