Pet Dog Care &
Grooming
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| Pet Dog Care & Grooming |
It’s always
great to make sure our beautiful dogs stay clean and smelling good by grooming
them regularly, but grooming is about more than just keeping them nice and
pretty. Indeed, it's in reality fundamental to their wellbeing and health.
There are a lot of essential benefits to maintaining your dog’s hygiene and grooming them
regularly. Dogs aren’t aware of or concerned about what’s dirty and what they
should avoid when they’re outside playing. So, it’s our job as good pet parents
to make sure we keep them clean, which also helps their general health!
Here are six
reasons why grooming your dog is important, and you absolutely cannot skip it.
1. It Helps
Prevent Fleas And Ticks
One of the
main reasons we bathe our dog is to wash away most of the dirt and grime they
might have collected throughout their days playing outside. But one of the more
important reasons we need to bathe them to make sure we prevent flea and tick
infestations.
Even though
there are now specialized shampoos that can assist with this issue, they may
not be completely effective in getting rid of flea and ticks. But bathing will
help you spot them, and once you know they’re there, you can remove them
completely and safely.
2. It Removes
Dirt And Dead Skin
Brushing you're the dog is imperative to keep their hair silky and glossy. But whenever you brush
your dog, you’re doing more than just making them look nicer.
Brushing them
is a vital part of their health as you are also getting rid of external dirt,
dead fur, and skin cells, as well as dandruff that might otherwise stay stuck
on your dog’s coat.
Another
reason brushing your dog is important is that it stimulates natural oils in
your dog’s fur. These oils spread throughout your dog’s coat when you brush
them, which leaves them looking shiny and healthier.
Brushing
likewise enables your dog to keep away from tangled or bunched hair. Mats can
cause major skin irritation and hold bacteria or parasites. Brushing your dog won't simply support their hair and skin wellbeing, however their general wellbeing,
as well.
3. It
Protects Feet And Helps Avoid Nail Complications
Nail trimming
can be hard to do on your own at first, as the shorter you cut, the closer you
get to the part of the nails with blood vessels. That is why it might be best
to leave this to a professional if you are not comfortable or confident in your
nail trimming abilities. However, there’s no excuse not to have it done at all.
Trimming your
dog’s nails aren’t just about making their feet look nice. Having long nails
can be uncomfortable for your dog and can also lead to a change in their
gait–the way they walk.
Walking with
long nails can cause your pup to walk on the side of their feet. This can lead
to arthritis and even bone deformations if you do not trim their nails
regularly.
4. It Helps
Avert Possible Ear Infections
One of the
important things we should be doing while grooming our beloved pups are making
sure their ears are clean and devoid of any type of blockage.
At the point
when dogs explore the world outside, they tend to catch up on against things.
This can lead to ear mites and ear infections that will cause discomfort for
your dog. Dogs who have especially long, floppy ears are at greater risk.
Making sure
we check their ears when grooming them will help prevent issues like these.
5. It
Maintains Dental Health
It is
important to give your dog a bath and brush them, but usually, you don’t have
to do this every day. However, when it comes to dental hygiene for your dog,
it is important to maintain it as often as possible.
That means,
for many dogs, brushing their teeth at least once a day to prevent tooth and
gum decay. Small dogs who have crowded teeth or breeds who are predisposed to
periodontal disease need extra care.
Maintaining a healthy diet can also help with dental health, and some dogs require less
brushing than others. However, you should ask your veterinarian about a regular
dental routine and include it in your grooming schedule.
This can have
a tremendous effect on your dog’s well-being and will also help you reduce the
need for professional dog teeth cleanings that can cost a fortune.
6. It Lets
You Check For Abnormalities
One of the
great benefits of grooming your pup are that you become more aware of what’s
going on with your dog’s body. The more familiar you are with how their skin
feels and how they respond to you when you touch them can tell you a lot,
including if there’s something out of the ordinary.
Grooming you're a dog can help you recognize quickly if there is an unusual lump, bump, or spots
on your dog’s body that don’t look normal. The quicker you can detect them, the
faster you can take your pooch to the vet to see if something is wrong.
Also, make
sure you pay attention to how your dog reacts to when you’re grooming them. If
they show signs of pain or pull away when they haven’t before, it could be a
a sign that
something is wrong. Regular grooming will help you establish what’s normal
behavior and what isn’t.
What other
reasons should dog owners keep up with grooming? Do you keep up a regular
grooming schedule for your dog? Let us know in the comments below!
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| Pet Dog Care & Grooming |
The Mental Health Benefits Associated With Dogs
As a writer at Daydreamdog with a keen interest
in mental health, I’ve decided to combine my two passions in the form of this
article. If you have ever owned a pet, you already know how much love,
positivity, and fun they can bring. They become the center of our lives,
bringing so much happiness while requesting for nothing in return.
Pets can also bring influential mental health
benefits too. Dogs, in particular, can offer a companionship that reduces
anxiety, stress, and depression, alleviate loneliness and encourage playfulness
and affection. Essentially, dogs can help people to live mentally healthier
lives.
How Dogs Can Help People Make Healthy Lifestyle
Changes
Engaging and committing to a healthy lifestyle
plays a key role in easing symptoms of mental health difficulties, including
depression, stress, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder,
and drug addiction.
The responsibilities associated with caring for
a dog can help people take those important first steps of making healthy
lifestyle changes. These include increasing exercise, providing companionship,
promoting socialization, reducing anxiety and stress and creating structure and
routine.
Increasing Exercise
Taking a dog on a walk, hike or run is An enjoyable and fulfilling way to keep both you and the dog fit and healthy.
Studies show that dog owners will reach or exceed
the recommended daily exercise requirements
compared to individuals without dogs. Daily adventures will also strengthen the
companionship between you and eliminate most behavior problems in dogs.
Essentially, having a dog in one’s life is a great way of enjoying the
outdoors, which in itself has many health benefits.
In particular, exercise can help the successful
recovery of drug addiction. Drugs become addictive by stimulating the brain’s
reward system through a rush of dopamine, known as a “feel-good hormone”.
Exercise is an alternative (and more importantly) healthier reward for the body
and brain. This can be particularly effective in the early days of recovery
when withdrawal cravings are high, fundamentally making it easier to maintain
sobriety.
Providing Companionship
The companionship that dogs can offer to people
can help us feel needed and wanted. The responsibility of caretaking has mental
health benefits, providing us with a sense of purpose, meaning, and happiness.
These effects can be especially true when adopting or rescuing a dog.
Dogs love their owners unconditionally. They are
always happy to see their owners and wish to spend time with them, no matter
what. This type of unconditional love stimulates the brain to release dopamine (similar
to the effects of exercise), resulting in a pleasurable response.
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| Pet Dog Care & Grooming |
Promoting Social Connections
Dogs can readily follow human cues because of
their understanding of their owner’s moods and emotions. As a result, dogs can
support one’s emotional development and make it easier to socialize with others.
Dogs encourage social connection by providing a
common subject to talk about. For example, walking a pet dog often leads to
conversations with others. Consequently, dog owners tend to be more sociable
and feel less isolated.
A person’s mental health improves when they are
feeling more socially connected. Generally, people who have more social
relationships and friendships are happier and healthier. There are plenty of
benefits of social connection including increased self-esteem, lower rates of
anxiety and depression, stronger emotional regulation skills, enhanced
cognitive function and more feelings of trust toward others.
Improve Relationship Skills
Dogs help improve relationship skills. Forming a
meaningful relationship with a dog can boost an individual’s confidence and
develop skills. These abilities then transfer to relationships and friends,
ultimately promoting growth and recovery.
Alleviating Mental Health Conditions
Dogs can help people manage their emotions and
encourage them to engage in healthy coping techniques. In fact, a meta-analysis
showed that dogs distracted participants from the symptoms of their mental
health condition. This includes hearing auditory commands, engaging in suicidal
thoughts or rumination.
In addition, caring for a dog creates a feeling
of being in control, an important aspect of sobriety.
Alleviating Stress
When humans become stressed, we release a
steroid hormone called cortisol. However, interacting with a dog can subsequently
reduce these levels of cortisol while also increasing the release of oxytocin,
serotonin, and dopamine:
Oxytocin is also known as the “love hormone”
that naturally reduces stress. Oxytocin is also associated with empathy, trust
and relationship building. This is why pet therapy is so astonishing and
powerful, often becoming a vital part of mental health treatment.
Serotonin and dopamine are hormones sometimes
referred to “happy chemicals” because of its contribution to wellbeing and
happiness. When they are released, they soothe and relax the nervous system.
Moreover, the sensory act of stroking a dog
lowers blood pressure and thus reduces stress. Studies have demonstrated that
dogs can help calm children who are aggressive or have autism or hyperactivity
disorders. Even individuals who do not particularly like dogs can experience
the benefits.
Creating Structure and Routine
There are many duties associated with caring for
dogs on an everyday basis. Owners need to keep dogs healthy to live a fulfilling
and happy life, no matter what mood they may be in. Because of this, dogs help
us build structure and routines to our day.
Furthermore, looking after a pet dog reminds us to
maintain our own wellbeing as well.
Final Thoughts
In summary, it seems clear that dogs and mental
health go paw in paw. The bond between a human and a dog is indeed an
undeniable one, and the unconditional love we receive from dogs is a natural
mood booster. If you think you will benefit from an emotional support animal
then discuss this with your doctor.
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