The brushing hair your dog is one of the hygienic practices that you should give the utmost attention, because it is of great importance to the welfare and health of your pet, but also prevents the spread of hair, dirt and infections by external parasites.
benefits of brushing your dog.
The hair in the dog fulfills the fundamental function of protecting the skin and this in turn is an organ of great metabolic, sensory, protection and thermoregulation importance .
Hair growth in dogs occurs from the follicles located in the dermis or the deepest layer of the skin. Two different types of hair are born in each follicle: a deep hair and a protective hair. For each protective hair there are between 6 and 12 deep hairs.
The deep hairs give rise to what is known as the lower mantle and the protective hairs to the upper mantle. The lower coat is very fine, soft, dense and very close to the skin, acting as an insulator, some call it undercoat.
For its part, the upper coat is longer and thicker and is what gives our dog the external appearance, acts as an additional insulating layer and protects the skin against physical damage.
According to the breed and individual genetics, the characteristics of the canine coat will vary. Thus we can find dogs with one or two coats and with short, semi-long, long, hard and curly hair.
Molting seasons
Hair has a continuous growth, hence the shedding must be seen as a completely normal process. Dogs generally shed their hair twice a year, related to seasonal changes, once in the spring and once in the fall.
Today it is known that the daylight hours are the factor most related to the shedding of the dog’s hair and that is why dogs subjected to artificial light schedules may not clearly show the shedding periods.
Benefits of canine brushing
As we have already explained, hair and skin undergo a continuous change process, one of the functions of brushing our dog is to eliminate hair and dead cells. When done properly, it provides gentle massages to the skin, thus helping to activate the blood circulation of the epidermis.
The best procedure for a good brushing of your dog
Brushing the dog must be seen as a basic practice within the general hygienic measures of your pet. But the characteristics of brushing, the implements to use and the frequency will depend on the breed and the type of coat that your pet has.
In general, the best procedure to brush your dog is based on:
Step 1.- Place it on a cloth or towel and create conditions so that it is a pleasant moment for both of you.
Step 2.- When brushing corresponds to the bath, do it before it.
Step 3.- Select the appropriate brush for the characteristics of your dog’s coat. The type of brush and the length of the bristles will vary according to the coat of your dog, the bristles should be longer as the hair is longer.
Step 4.- Pass the brush over its back, legs, head, tail and then through the thoracic area. Brush the first time in the direction of the hair arrangement and then against the grain. At the end, do it again in the direction of hair growth so that it is well combed.
Step 5.- If your dog is molting, you should brush penetrating the root to help remove dead hair.
Step 6.- Your dog should always associate brushing his hair with a favorable experience, with caresses, pampering, sweet words and rewarding him when he behaves well.
Brushing frequency
If you have a breed of dog that requires brushing, it is best to do it every day, or four times a week. It is preferable to spend 5-10 minutes a day brushing your dog rather than a longer time less frequently. The above is beneficial for your pet but also for you because it will make your home less dirty.
The frequency will be determined by the dog’s own coat, if it is a dog with a tendency to the formation of knots it may be necessary up to two daily brushings, even going to a specialist in dog grooming to check and cut the coat of our canid.
Some ideal products for brushing your dog
Fortunately, today we have in pet stores a wide range of brushes, combs, cards and other instruments that will make it easier for you to brush your dog according to what each type of coat demands.
You have brushes available in plastic or metal with blunt tips, on other occasions with natural hairs, or mitts to make brushing smoother.
Very useful accessories such as large, medium or small cards with soft metal spikes, others with rubber spikes. To this is added detangler and dead hair remover for all types of coats. An accessory to groom your dog according to what your pet needs.
To help you select the most appropriate for your dog, in this table you can quickly orient yourself and learn more about all the details of dog brushing
