If you’ve noticed the recent social media trend of “Canine beauty routine” videos, you may be wondering: Does my dog need all those treatments?

Here’s what’s necessary for maintaining your pet’s health and comfort, and what’s just fluff!

Bathing

Unless your dog has a skin issue that necessitates medicated washes at a certain frequency, the average dog should only be bathed if they are smelly or dirty. If you bathe your pet too frequently, it will dry out their skin, thereby encouraging more oil production in the long-term.

Ear cleaning

As with bathing, the average dog without ear issues does not require routine ear cleaning. However, if their ears are frequently producing a lot of discharge, or are red, smelly or sore, it’s best to book a vet check in case your pet is developing an infection.

Topical nose and paw pad balm

Although it looks sweet, most pets do not require the application of a moisturising balm to their nose or paws! If your dog’s nose or paws ever look unusually dry, red or crusty, it could indicate an underlying health issue (such as allergies, autoimmune disease, or skin cancer) and necessitates a vet check.

Nail trims

Many pets need routine nail trims every 6-8 weeks to prevent overgrowth, particularly older or less active pets. Very active dogs may only require their dew claws (the “thumb nails” that don’t contact the ground during walking) to be maintained.

Teeth cleaning

Do dogs benefit from regular teeth cleaning? Yes! Daily teeth cleaning is a very effective way to minimise natural plaque build-up on your pet’s teeth, thereby slowing the development of painful periodontal disease. For a tutorial on how to safely clean your pet’s teeth, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our helpful team.

For more advice on care routines to keep your dog living their best life, consult our beautifully knowledgeable team!