How To Properly Brush Your Dog at Home

How to Brush Your Dog

Brushing is very important exercise to keep your dog coat healthy and shiny. It improves overall coat health of dog and make them mentally healthy. It is the first step to properly take care of dog’s coat.  In this article we will study the step-by-step guide to properly brush dog’s coat. 

Step1:  General Handling:

It is very necessary to make your dog comfortable before you start brushing. This step should generally start while your dog is still a puppy as early training is very easy rather than training while they are adult. 

Start by patting and stroking different parts of their body, praise and award with treat to make them calm and easy to handle. Start from patting them on chest are, shoulders, sides and gradually move towards the back. Once they are comfortable try touching each leg, lift their paws slightly one by one and gently touch the footpads and nails and also ears and under the chin. Most of the puppy will allow you to do but if they are aggressive or over reacting best was to control them is by giving them treat of their choice. 

Step 2: Introduction with Brush:

Before introduction one must ensure to select right kind of Brush as per the coat of Dog. If you are a dog owner than you are probably aware that dogs are curious and they will treat brush as a toy or anything which is available to chew. So, it becomes important to associate Brush with something that is pleasant. Start with introduction of Brush with Tasty Dog treat. Once he is comfortable with brush around reward with dog treat so that he can cooperate during the process.

Step 3: Brushing Gently

One the Dog is comfortable and relaxed, start brushing lightly and gently on shoulder and chest areas. If they are calm reward them with treat and gradually increase the brushing time and number of strokes. Extend to other parts of the body while brushing in the direction of the hair growth. Repeat this process two or three times till the dog becomes completely comfortable with it. 

If there are any mats, tangle or knots then do not put force to remove them as it may cause pain and discomfort. Mats and Tangles should be carefully removed with right kind of scissors. 

Brush occasionally in direction opposite to hair growth to check the skin condition and occurrence of ticks, fleas and dirt. 

This process might take more than one day as initially the dog might not get comfortable with it so owner must halt the process and continue on other day. Rewarding each time can make some stubborn dog comfortable within few days.

Note:  This whole process should be done calmly and using soft hands. If dog is not cooperating than one should not show any kind of aggression as it might lead to development of bad behavioral traits in dogs. If after trying different brushing technique the dog is not cooperating than the final solution is to consult a local Veterinarian or groomer for better advise. 

Step 4: Treat for good Session

It is very important that the dog enjoys the session. Initially keep the session small and gradually increasing the time session by session. To make it a pleasant exercise treat your dog with treat or peanut butter during the exercise and after completion of the process praise the dog and tret them with their favorite treat. 

Common Eye Problems in Dogs & Treatment

Common Eye Problems in Dogs

Our four-legged companions rely heavily on their senses, with vision playing a crucial role in their daily lives. Just like humans, dogs can experience a range of eye problems that can impact their overall wellbeing. In this blog, we'll delve into some of the most common issues that affect dogs' eyes, helping you recognize the signs, understand the causes, and provide appropriate care for your furry friend.

Cataracts

Cataract in Dogs is usually hereditary in nature but can also be caused because of injury. A diabetic dog is more prone to cataracts. Cataract can be in static for or it might increase with time. If cataract covers less than 30 % of lens than it might not cause any harm but once it spread to more than 60 % of lens than dog become visually impaired. Cataract usually progresses because of many factors like breed of dog, type of cataract, age or presence of diseases like diabetes. 

Breeds which are prone to hereditary cataracts are Labrador retriever, Cocker Spaniel, Poodle, Welsh springer spaniel, Boston terrier etc. 

Treatment

If cataract id suspected in dog than it must be taken to a Veterinarian for Eye examination and understanding the level of vision impairment. Cataract can be removed by a surgical procedure called Phacoemulsification which is similar to what is performed in humans. In this process the cloudy part is removed from the eye. This process is usually performed when dog finds difficulty in vision. 

Dry eye

Also known as Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), in this condition the tear gland in inflamed and is unable to produce the normal amount of tears thus making eyes dry.  Because of less or not tear the eyes are not lubricated and becomes unhealthy. Dry eye can be caused because of many reasons but mainly it is associated with disorder of immune system.  In certain breeds this condition can be very painful and if left unattended than it can worsen. In order to diagnose these condition early stages, regular eye examination is important. 

Symptoms:-

• Discharge around eye
• Rubbing or pawing at the eye and face
• Frequent eye infections 
• Blinking of eye
• Red eye

Breeds at Risk:-

Cocker Spaniel, Shih tzu, Pug, English bull dog, Yorkshire terrier etc.

Treatment

If any of the symptoms are suspected than please contact local veterinarian for confirmatory diagnosis. Once diagnosed the veterinarian usually recommend a good eye drop to keep the eyes moist and lubricated. Vet might recommend antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs in case of any infection. 

Apart from medication owner should also clean the eyes regularly with cotton swabs or soft and clean wipes. 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma in dogs is caused because of insufficient drainage of fluid from the eye. Because of this a pressure is build up inside the eye that leads to damages in optic nerve and retina. Glaucoma is usually inherited called as primary glaucoma or it may be caused because of another eye conditions like cataracts or renal detachments.

Symptoms:-

• Change in pupil size 
• Pupil become unresponsive to light
• Sticky discharge from eye
• Squinting and blinking of eye

Breeds at risk :-

Beagle, Cocker spaniel, Pug , Labrador Retriever, Siberian husky, Boston Terrier, Basset Hound etc.

Treatment

If symptoms are detected than dog must be taken to veterinarian for confirmatory diagnosis. Vet will identify whether the condition is because of primary or secondary glaucoma and accordingly medication is given. Medications are usually given to reduce the pressure inside the eye. If condition extreme than Vet might also suggest for laser therapy or surgery. 

Conjunctivitis/eye infection

Conjunctivitis can be caused because of virus or bacteria. In this condition pink area under the eyelid becomes inflamed and infected. It might be noninfectious in nature but during treatment the infected dog must be kept away from other pets at home. 

Symptoms:-

• Discharge from eye
• Red and inflamed eye
• Blinking or squinting of eye
• Pawing or rubbing of eye
• Swollen eyelid which leads to partial closure of eyes

Breeds at risk:-

Maltese, Shih Tzu, Poodles, Lhasa apso and other breeds with long hairs

Treatment

Upon identification of any of the symptoms a dog must be taken to a veterinarian for confirmation. Conjunctivitis might be non-infectious and causes irritation to the dog. Depending upon the severity of condition Veterinarian might recommend Anti-inflammatory drug or Antibiotic. Regular cleaning and washing of eye is also very important for fast recovery. 

 

Tips for Maintaining Your Dog's Eye Health : Causes, Signs, & Care

Dog Eye Health

Understand Your Dog’s Eye Health

Eye is one of the sense organs of any living beings and just like humans Pets also possess risk of infection or irritation in eyes because of multiple factors. So, in order to keep your dog cent percent, fit and healthy, eye examination becomes one of the most essential routine exercises for owners and has to be performed time to time in order to keep their eyes healthy and free from infection. Ignorance of this might lead to serious eye illness which can be threatening to them. 

Eye Health: The Warning Signs:

Its very important to regularly examine the eyes and look for the warning signs for any future implication. If the signs are identified earlier, it can be treated better. Dogs can have varied range of eye problems just like in humans like Dry eyes, cataracts, conjunctivitis, cherry eye, glaucoma etc. There are many warning signs that can indicate that something is wrong with the dog’s eyes. It is not necessarily the final diagnosis but these signs can tell a lot about eye health. If owner finds any of these warning sign than they should contact a veterinarian for confirmatory diagnosis.

The most common warning signs re as follows:

• Tearing
• Redness
• Frequent Blinking or squinting
• Any kind of discharge from eye (usually Yellow or Green)
• Cloudiness (It may be quite common in old dogs)
• Sensitivity to light
• Swelling near the eyes
• Decreased vision- can be indicated by poor balance or confusion
• Rubbing or pawing of the face around eyes

Tips for Eye Care:

• Trim any kind of hair growth near or over the eye. Cut the hair parallel to the eyelid and always use blunt nosed scissors. This is really important because of skin folds near the eyes in certain breeds like Lhasa apso, Pekingese etc. Note: Do not point the scissors towards the dog as it may be the cause of any injury.
• Clean the area around the eyes on daily basis with the help of cotton wipes or using eye wipes. Cleaning the eyes on regular basis keeps it away from mucus. While cleaning with eye keep the wipe or tip of eyewash away from cornea to prevent any kind of injury.
• While giving bath to the dog always remember to rinse the shampoo as soon as it is applied as it may cause irritation and redness to the eyes. Tearless shampoo also can act as irritant for dog eyes.
• Some breeds tend to develop tear stains with time. Timely cleaning of tear stain is very important. It should be done once in week with cotton using eyewash or using eye wipes.
• If the dog is going on a car ride make sure his head is inside car while cruising as it might be cause of injury due to some foreign particle. Observe the eye after every outdoor tour for any dirt or foreign particle and also for any of the above-mentioned warning signs.
• If your dog is old than there are chances that the eye becomes cloudy due to age. Its normal but a routine veterinary examination can rule out any serious condition.
• Even though proper care is taken, a routine veterinary examination is important to diagnose any kind of serious illness. It can be done during regular grooming visit.