Dog fur: How to take care of it and what are the tips for shedding?
A dog’s coat is one of its greatest characteristics that requires great care. It does not matter whether your canine companion is a short-haired or long-haired dog. Attention is required by all of them. How to take care of dog fur and what to do during shedding periods?
Dog fur is not just eye candy
A dog’s coat is very important. It serves as a barrier against harmful environmental influences, cold, heat, water and captures dust. In addition, it is also an indicator of the dog’s health. All ailments and problems taking place in the dog’s body may manifest themselves on the appearance and condition of the coat.
Brushing is a must
The cornerstone of dog fur care is brushing. This process is necessary for all dogs and helps remove all dirt such as mud or trapped twigs from the walk. The coat itself is cleaned, and dead parts of the skin are removed. Regular combing and brushing may also help detect ticks, for example. By sticking to this ritual, we may prevent further problems.
A pleasant ritual
How often you should brush your pet’s coat depends on whether it is a long-haired or short-haired dog. For long-haired dogs, of course, care will be more demanding and will require a greater amount of time. However, brushing can be turned into a ritual that you and your pet will grow to enjoy in time.
Proper bathing products
The next step in the care of your dog’s coat is selecting the right bathing product. You should always use shampoos and conditioners designed solely for animals. Such products will include the right vitamins and minerals to sufficiently nourish your dog’s fur.
Balanced diet as a path to a shiny coat
Proper diet is also an important element. If your dog has a balanced diet full of all the necessary nutrients, it will certainly show on the quality of his fur. On the other hand, matted fur and excessively flaky skin may be a sign that your dog’s diet is not right. In such a case, you may focus on supplementing the right vitamins and proteins. At the same time, you should avoid dog food that includes large amounts of added raw materials and colorants, and give your pet food consisting of fish and supporting a healthy and shiny coat.
Shedding can be accelerated
Shedding is a wide topic. It is this change of fur, usually coming in spring and autumn, that is particularly more challenging in long-haired dogs. This process cannot be prevented, but it can be accelerated, meaning that you will spend less time trying to clean up the space your dog occupies. However, keep in mind that this physiological process is important for the dog’s health.
The steps to accelerate shedding are not difficult. A balanced diet, once again, plays a major role, and adding, for example, salmon oil is recommended. Salmon oil also has good effects on digestion. During the shedding period, it is recommended to bathe and brush your dog more often to accelerate the exchange of hair and skin. You can also complement your dog’s diet with vitamins and minerals that will support proper functioning of his organism.
Sometimes, one dog is not enough and it is better to have a whole pack. Especially if you breed drafting (or also pulling) dogs. Of course, the more dogs you have, the more care and issues it means, but it also means there’s much more joy for the...
The modern world is not only rich in material things but also in the number of dog breeds. There are quite a lot of them, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognizes 360 different breeds. And they are not only different from each other when...
There are many ways to learn a new thing. One of the most pleasant ones for both the dog and its owner is positive motivation. Thanks to it, a dog learns new tricks in a simple and pleasing way and it also helps to develop a mutual social relationship...
Pregnancy is a difficult time for a bitch in all aspects. The body nourishes more organisms and it needs to be reflected in her energy and nutrient intake. A breeder, racer and sport cynology contestant, Jitka Duffková, gives advice on how to make...
You might be interested in this dog sport but you have many questions before you can decide to start with it. Will my buddy enjoy it? Do I have sufficient physical abilities? When should we start, isn’t it too soon or too late? This article and advice...
A healthy mouth is a very important part of the complex vitality of a cat and we shouldn’t neglect taking care of it. There are many oral diseases our furry friends can suffer from. What can you do to keep your cat’s teeth clean?
Korat is a very rare breed that isn’t very common even in Thailand – the country of its origin. Thanks to its beautiful, soft, silver-tipped hair as well as its special nature, it’s unmistakable. This breed definitely deserves some attention.
Have you ever thought about how the composition of the gut microbiota of your dog companion influences its mood, metabolism or immune system in addition to its digestion? Do you know how bacteria work in guts and how to keep the good ones inside?
Letting furious dogs with only one task – to detain and put you down – bite you is definitely not for everyone. But is it really as horrifying as it may look from the outsider’s point of view? Jan Böhm answers our questions about what it takes to be...
Snakes and scorpions are said to get out on Saint George’s Day. It has been a while since then, so it’s no surprise that we can see a lizard or a snake when on a walk somewhere or in our gardens. They already left their underground shelters designed...
The German Boxer can truly be called a versatile dog. With no doubts, it can be a family dog, a watchdog or a rescuer. It is also good at sports. A long-term boxer breeder, Ing. Michaela Martinů, can confirm that.
Bikejöring doesn’t mean that a dog simply runs next to a bike. The dog pulls the bike when doing this sport, it is similar to dog sledding. A famous Slovak musher, Marcel Dučák, will tell us what equipment you need for it, what dogs it is good for,...