Top Ten Reasons for Grooming a Dog

Grooming a dog is just one of several responsibilities that pet owners readily do for their best friend. Perhaps it's because studies show that just owning a dog can have many health benefits for family members.

In fact, these studies have shown that dog owners have a better chance of fighting allergies, have a reduced chance of getting a heart attack, they are known to calm our spirits, offer us companionship and they protect us and our interests.

There is no question that our dogs are wonderful creatures that help stabilize a healthy lifestyle for us, but are we doing the same for them?

No matter how many of us take our beloved dogs to the groomer, nearly half of all dog owners did not know the importance of grooming a dog at home as revealed by a study conducted by PetSmart. It is essential to our dogs that we maintain their health and happiness by providing the necessary grooming care on a daily, or at the very least weekly, basis.

From brushing their teeth to brushing their fur, dogs need and love the added attention and care that goes into home dog grooming. Our simple instructions for grooming a dog makes this task easier.

There are more reasons than just one for grooming your dog on a regular basis. Below are the top ten reasons for grooming a dog at home.

1. Healthy Coat: When you brush your dog on a regular basis you will decrease the dead hairs on his coat, get rid of dander on the skin and leave nothing but a healthy coat. Brushing your dog's coat daily will also stimulate his blood to flow freely to the hair follicles making his coat beautiful and shiny.

2. Clean Coats: Bathing your dog at least once a week can do a few things for their over-all health. It will keep their coat free from allergens, keep it clean and give you a heads-up about any parasites or conditions on your dog's skin. Be sure to inspect your dog's skin when you shampoo him to see if any annoying parasites have found refuge in his fur, or if there are any bumps and/or skin irritations.

3. Immunity: Did you know that grooming a dog can help his immunity? Brushing your dog's hair also stimulates his lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a part of complex system responsible for the transportation of the lymph and for participating in many immune functions of the body. It is made up of small glands called lymph nodes that are connected with a series of vessels. This structure is a part of his immune system, which gives him a better chance to fight off diseases in his body. (Spielman, 2010)

4. Reduction of Allergies: Dog allergies can be extremely irritating as a dog owner, especially if your allergies are triggered from your dog. When you take an active role in maintaining the grooming of your dog you significantly decrease the risk of having an attack. In an article published by WebMD it indicates that a study conducted by researcher James E. Gern, MD, a pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison concluded that babies that are in contact with a dog are 14% less likely to acquire allergies than that of a baby with no dog in the household. Furthermore, those babies with dogs in the home are less likely to contract eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. (Davis)

5. Dental Health: Grooming a dog also includes his dental health. Maintaining the health of your dog's teeth will eliminate the ability for plaque to mineralize on them, which if left untreated will eventually turn to tarter and can destroy the dog's gum line.

6. Bacterial Nails: When our dogs are at the park or outside roaming in the grass, there are a million and one bacterium just lingering there. When we do not attend to the trimming of our dog's nails they can easily carry those bacteria with them in the house or scratch themselves with the bacteria in their nails. This can lead to a number of dog's ailments and diseases that can be collected and transferred to your dog.

7. Dirty Dog: Washing your dog's coat weekly will eliminate dead dander, dead hair and dirt that may have been collected on the dog's skin.

8. Pure Bonding: Grooming a dog in a calm atmosphere will give you and your dog time to bond. When you talk to your animal while you are grooming him this will help him to stay calm and relaxed. Let him know what you are doing every step of the way, such as "I am going to clip your nails to keep you healthy and safe." You and your dog will enjoy the bonding that comes along with caring for him so deeply.

9. Saving his life: With that special bond you share with your dog you will begin to know him on a deeper level and it will help you to understand his personality more profoundly. You will begin to develop the ability to know when or if there is something wrong with him. Just as we know when there is something wrong with our loved ones, we will know there is something wrong with our dog that could ultimately save his life.

10. Happy-Healthy Dog: You know the old saying "a healthy dog is a happy dog," it’s true. Your dog will feel better when he is bathed, clipped and teeth nice and fresh, just as we feel better when we shower, brush our teeth and put on some clean clothes…makes you feel like a million bucks. Grooming a dog will make the dog feel the same way.

We know you love your dog just as much as we love ours. Making him feel special is probably not something new to you, but it is our hope that you can gain some understanding of the importance of grooming a dog to make your relationship with your dog that much more pleasurable.

Don Johnson is the publisher and editor for www.avoid-nasal-allergies.com, the guide to preventing allergic symptoms the natural way without using drugs. Read more about pet allergies at his site.

Works Cited
Davis, J. L. (n.d.). 5 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health. Retrieved from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/features/health-benefits-of-pets
Spielman, D. B. (2010). Structure and Function of the Lymphatic System in Dogs. Retrieved 2010, from Pet Place: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/structure-and-function-of-the-lymphatic-system-in-dogs/page1.aspx

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