Dog professionals say novice dog owners are most likely to neglect these daily grooming tasks—first, nail trimming; second, teeth and gums; third: brushing and combing.
In addition, dog professionals—veterinarians, groomers, trainers, behaviorists—also suggest that inexperienced dog owners often neglect four more grooming tasks that should be done daily: ears, eyes, lumps and bumps, and (ick) anal glands . . . one doggy grooming job that no one really enjoys, not even the dog.
Ears
Even dogs with upright ears need ear cleaning occasionally. Open, perked-up ears can be easier to check for infections, parasites, and outdoor hazards like cheatgrass and foxtails. Dogs with drop or pendant ears may have more regular hygiene needs, as the closed environment their ears protect can become a busy breeding ground for all sorts of opportunistic bacteria and infections. Those dogs’ ears may require daily flushing, cleaning, and medication, as directed by a veterinarian.
Don’t attempt to diagnose or treat ear problems yourself or with the “advice” of online friends. See your veterinarian at the first sign of trouble, find out what’s wrong, learn what you can and can’t do to help. Ear infections may become quite painful, so be gentle as you follow the daily protocol. Don’t use cotton swabs—there’s too much chance of damage. Cotton balls are much safer.
If possible, get help from an adult who can distract the dog with peanut butter or cheese while you do the cleaning and medication. Work with the dog in a location with good lighting. If necessary, use a flashlight shining into the ear to brighten your view. Be careful not to cross-infect from one ear to the other—use fresh cotton balls on each ear. Dispose of used cotton balls and tissues somewhere the dog cannot reach (not in a wastebasket). Wash your hands thoroughly when you’re done.
You don’t know what the shape of your dog’s ears is called?
Here’s a handy illustrated guide:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201208/what-shape-is-your-dogs-ear
Eyes
Unless your dog has already been diagnosed with a chronic eye problem, your daily “eye examinations” are fairly simple: check for “gunk” in the corners of his eyes and “tears” that may run down into his muzzle fur.
Use a cotton ball or soft tissue double-wrapped around your finger to clear his face of “gunk.” Wash the “tears” with water (or a veterinarian-approved solution) and dry with a soft towel. While you’re there, look closely in good light at the surface and surrounding of your dog’s eyes, noting anything unusual.
If you see something you don’t understand, make an appointment with your veterinarian to have it checked out. If you see something that alarms you—a sudden change from yesterday, a swelling, a change in shape or color—call your veterinarian immediately or visit the closest veterinary emergency clinic. It could be serious.
Photo by Monique Feyrecilde
Lumps and Bumps
Run your hands (and eyes) over all parts of the dog. It’s more difficult to do on a dog with lots of fur, regardless of the dog’s overall size. That’s why you do it daily!
What you want to touch is where the fur meets the skin. What you want to feel for is anything new or different. Lumps and bumps can be from a recent injury, a parasite (ticks, fleas, spiders), an allergy, an infection, a disease, or simple old age. Your job is to figure out what’s new—every day—and to decide what to do about it right away.
Older dogs often develop lumps and bumps, and most of those lumps and bumps are fatty tumors—benign, not cancerous. But benign lumps and bumps can look like malignant (cancerous) lumps and bumps, and vice versa. That is why you should consult your veterinarian when you first find a new lump or bump on your dog, regardless of the dog’s age. If the lump or bump is growing fast, swollen, oozing pus, open, or if your dog is in pain, see your veterinarian immediately for a diagnosis and treatment.
Anal Glands
Anal glands, or anal sacs as they are sometimes called, are small paired pouches located between the internal and external anal sphincter muscles, one on each side of the anus at roughly the 4 and 8 o’clock position. They empty through short and narrow ducts just inside the anus. Each sac is lined with abundant, modified sebaceous (oil) and apocrine (sweat) glands. The secreted substance is normally an oily, brownish fluid that packs a strong odor.
Liquid held inside the sac is usually expelled when a dog defecates, but if this does not occur on a regular basis, the material inside thickens, which makes it harder to pass. If this situation persists, the gland may become impacted, inflamed, and infected. The gland can even abscess and rupture through to the skin surface.
Most pets who are having problems with their anal glands will scoot their bottom along the floor, frequently turn to lick or bite at the anal region, or display discomfort when passing stool. Any pet with persistent symptoms like these should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Left untreated, anal sac impactions, infections, and abscesses can become serious problems for your dog, so be proactive about an evaluation if your dog displays any discomfort in the anal region.
Veterinarians check a pet’s anal glands with a digital rectal exam—inserting a lubricated, gloved finger through the pet’s anus and feeling the surrounding structures. The doctor will also express each gland to evaluate the material and how easily it can pass through the ducts. This is usually the only treatment necessary if a pet’s anal glands are mildly impacted.
If your pet is diagnosed with an infection, your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics and perhaps other treatments like warm compresses and pain relievers. An abscessed anal gland may also need surgery to provide drainage and to remove damaged and infected tissues. Regularly scheduled anal gland expressions can help prevent impaction and infection in dogs who suffer from recurrent anal gland problems. This procedure can be performed by your veterinarian or groomer, or you can ask to learn how to do it yourself at home.
While impaction and infection are the most common anal gland problems in pets, other conditions, including cancer, can affect the perianal region of pets. If you suspect that your dog or cat is suffering from an anal gland disorder, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
—T. J. Dunn, Jr., DVM
We’d all probably agree that expressing anal glands is not anybody’s favorite doggy grooming task. I myself most like combing of all the grooming jobs I need to do—I even comb my shorthaired cat. I’ve had so many golden retrievers with so many ear infections that I’ve learned to clean ears well, with as little discomfort as possible for the dog. It’s not a fun job, by any means, but it is rewarding to see those cleaned and treated ears pink and shiny and smelling good again.
I think nail trimming is my best grooming skill—I trim nails on my dogs, my cat, and my ferrets—and probably the regular task I do most frequently. I hate the sound of doggy “tap dancing” when they trot around on hardwood floors with nails that are much too long. It’s not unusual for me to grab the trimmers and clip a few nails even in the middle of the night.
What’s your favorite grooming job?
What’s your least favorite?
Which grooming task is most rewarding to your dog?
