Did you know that dogs who like to swim are more prone to having matted hair or fur? When a dog is wet, the moisture causes their hair to curl and then dry while it’s still wrapped around itself, unless properly brushed. For Indiana dog’s that love their time in the water, even regular dog grooming won’t be enough to ensure you’re handling tangles and potential mats as you should.
As mentioned, mats in your dog’s fur can easily occur if your pet is frequently wet. If they’re not brushed well, mats will continue to trap more fur and move their way closer to your dog’s skin, increasing the severity of the mat. You’ll likely notice mats in common areas such as around the collar, under their chin, their armpits, their feet, and on the back of their hind legs.
3 Things You Can Do To Limit Matting On Your Water Loving Dog
The good news is that mats are preventable. While it’s still very important to keep your regular pet grooming appointments, here’s what you can do in between those visits to help your pet stay comfortable while still being able to enjoy a swim. With so many great beaches in the Crown Point, Valparaiso and Portage areas, be sure to keep reading to find out how to handle your dog’s wet coat after a cooling swim.
- If you’re wondering how to groom a dog and tend to their fur once they’ve emerged from water, the best place to start is by being prepared. It’s important to have the right type of brush for your dog’s coat. Next time you visit one of our Smoochie Pooch Indiana locations, our expert dog grooming team would be happy to answer your questions about brushes as well as discuss the proper way to brush your dog’s specific coat.
- Invest in a high-quality leave-in conditioner for your dog’s coat. A detangling leave-in conditioning spray will make brushing easier, especially for those dogs with long hair that tangles easily. You can spray the leave-in conditioner on their damp coat before they fully dry, or wait and lightly spray it over their dry fur and brush it through.
- Brushing your dog properly will help reduce the wet dog odor they may produce, but in order to keep them clean and smelling good after a swim, you should also give them a rinse. This pet grooming tip may seem strange considering they’re already wet, but chemicals from chlorine as well as sand and debris from lakes or rivers can cause skin irritations as well as leave unpleasant smells attached to their fur.
Regular Pet Grooming Helps Your Dog Enjoy Their Time in The Water
No one expects pet owners to expertly know how to groom a dog, that’s where we come in! With regular grooming appointments at Smoochie Pooch, your pet’s coat will be in great condition making it much easier for you to manage when they do decide to go for a swim. Whether you visit one of our Indiana locations or make an appointment with our mobile grooming pet spa, you can count on our team to keep your dog’s coat healthy and clean. To find out more about our dog grooming services, contact us today!
