Springtime Grooming for Dogs

Spring is definitely in the air. Spring cleaning is on the agenda for many people at this time of year. Don’t forget about Fido! Your pet will be much more comfortable if he feels clean and fresh. A Des Moines, IA vet offers some spring grooming tips below.

Brushing

This is a peak shedding season, so it’s a good idea to brush your pet daily. This will get that dust, fur, and dander out of his coat. If your pooch is a heavy shedder, brush him outdoors, so that loose fur just blows away. It’s also important to brush Fido before giving him a bath or taking him to the salon.

Bathtime

Consider booking Fido an appointment at the salon. Not only will this spare you the mess and hassle of doing it yourself, you also get the option of getting several things done at once. Professional groomers can perform specific procedures, such as nail clipping, ear cleaning, and anal gland expression. They often also often spot things like lumps, bumps, and lesions, though this isn’t going to be guaranteed. Plus, you get to drop off a dirty dog, and pick up a clean one!

Paws

Spring is often quite muddy. We suspect that many of you will be cleaning pawprints up off your floors this month. Trimming the fur around Fido’s toes can help reduce the amount of mud he tracks in. You may also want to keep a washcloth and spray bottle full of water near the door. Get in the habit of wiping your canine pal’s paws down. You may even be able to teach your pooch to wipe his paws off on a mat!

Clipping

Many dogs are more comfortable with a cool summer ‘do.’ This is a great time to get Fido’s coat trimmed. This will help keep your pup’s fur soft, and get rid of dry or tangled hair. It will also keep your pooch cool when it gets hot.

Pollen

Spring can be pretty miserable for people with allergies. Dogs can also have these issues. If you know or suspect that Fido has allergies, wipe his paws and belly down with a damp cloth before bringing him in. This will remove dirt and pollen from his coat.

Do you need to schedule grooming for your dog? Call us, your Des Moines, IA vet clinic, today! We’re here to help!