Your dog runs in from his comfortable door and jumps onto the couch. You laugh. Then it hits you. The smell of dog poop. That’s the worst. Especially if you now have to clean up your dog’s couch and back. Luckily, a simple dog grooming routine will keep you and your belongings free of stains.
What is a dog hygiene cut?
Sanitary pruning trims the hair around the dog’s belly, instep, and genitals so that when they shed their own hair, the hair doesn’t get stuck and spread around. According to Morgan Clemens, a professional groomer and owner of Morgan’s Pet Grooming in Nampa, Idaho. And your dog will smell better if they don’t have urine and feces in their coats.
Will I notice a change before and after my dog’s hygienic haircut?
There are a few differences you’ll notice before and after your dog’s coat is trimmed, but the idea is that when your dog goes to the bathroom, urine or feces have to travel through a lot of hair, and that hair can behave the same way. like sponge. , then get rubbed all over the place. After the dog’s sanitary trimming, urine and feces will flow to the soil where they belong, and your dog will be cleaner.
What breeds of dogs need cleaning?
Typically, long-haired breeds such as the Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzu and Havanese need a sanitary trim to control hair growth around the sides of their backs. However, Morgan says she doesn’t completely rule out sanitary trimming for short-haired dogs; it depends on the dog. Talk to your groomer about whether this is the service your dog needs during their routine grooming sessions.
According to Morgan, dogs can benefit from a sanitary trim, which should be trimmed about every four weeks.
How to make a sanitary cut on a dog
If your dog already has his coat brushed, having a professional do it is the easiest thing to do! However, if you have a breed of dog that doesn’t get regular trimming, like the Shetland Sheepdog, but finds that the long coat still tracks the dog’s waste, you can do your own cleaning. Here’s Morgan’s advice on cutting your dog’s hygiene:
- Do not use scissors!
- Use a pet trimmer with a 10 blade or set. The #10 blade is generally considered the safest choice for sensitive skin so you don’t cut too close to the sensitive skin.
- Use a short guard comb
- Make sure your dog is standing on a hard surface
- Have someone help you keep your dog still to avoid injury
- Hold the tail to shave the butt area
- For male dogs, gently lift their hind legs to the sides to touch underneath them, or prop them up on their hind legs if they are comfortable with that and scrape down where urine can collect. on the belly.
Avoid cutting too close to the skin
Morgan says the skin around the toilet area is one of the most sensitive parts of a dog’s body. Go slowly and restrain them with a leash and/or a helper so they don’t move too much, which can increase the chance of burns or razor cuts. Watch out for skin folds in these areas, she adds, as loose skin is more prone to wrinkling. If you have bitten or burned your dog with a razor, use a trivalent antibiotic to cure it and put your dog in a hat so they don’t lick it.
Sanitary pruning is helpful in helping prevent the spread of bacteria and keeping your dog clean, but if you’re unsure about technique or product choice, check with a groomer. professional feathers.
