Looking After Your Dogs Coat

Regular brushing/combing helps prevent your dogs coat from becoming matted 

It is important to keep your dogs fur in the best possible condition through regular grooming, even if you have your dog professionally groomed on a regular bases they still require grooming from their owner in between appointments

If the coat begins to become matted, the longer the mats are left the more difficult it is to get them out of the coat. They can become tight to the skin and become painful. If you notice this is happening it is best to book an appointment with a professional groomer, such as LKH Home Dog Grooming . It is likely they will need to use their professional grooming tools to remove the mats and may result in your dogs fur being taken short.  The fur will need regular grooming as the fur begins to regrow 

Regular brushing keeps dogs cooler and especially helps dogs with thick undercoats as dogs with undercoats should avoid any fur impacted against the skin to help with airflow and keeping cool it also helps reduce shedding as regular grooming will remove the loose undercoat 

Regular brushing also provides an opportunity to spot anything unusual on your dogs skin, such as lumps, sores or ticks. It also helps keep your dogs coat healthy and in good condition as brushing/combing helps distribute natural oils throughout their coat helping to keep the coat shiny 

It is recommended that dogs that don't moult be professional groomed such as cockapoos, poodles, bichon Frise,  are professionally groomed and trimmed every 6 - 8 weeks

Other breed such a spaniels it is recommended every 8 - 12 weeks dependant on coat .

It is very important that the fur on your dogs feet especially spaniels feet is kept short especially in between the toes and the pads, this helps reduce the risk of grass seeds getting under the skin. Grass seeds are a common problem over the summer months and can get into their ears and eyes as well as their paws. It is important that you check your dog over if they have ventured into long grass at any point of the duration of their walk. 

If your dog is shaking their head this could be a sign that a grass seed has gone into the ear, or if they are licking their paws it could be that one is stuck between their toes. You should check immediately, if you can see the grass seed you should try to remove by pulling it out.  If the area is inflamed and you are not able to see the grass seed and your dogs ear or foot is inflamed you should take to the vet to ask for it to be removed

For routine brushing, start with a metal comb and gently comb through your dog's coat. If there are any spots where the comb can't easily go through the fur, use robust slicker brush and use a line brushing technique to work through those areas being careful not to scratch the dogs skin 

For more information on how to look after your dogs coat or to book an appointment for Nikki from LKH-Home Dog grooming don't hesitate to get in touch at lkh-doggrooming@outlook.com covering a 15 mile radius of Lakenheath Suffolk