It is a great joy for any pet owner to have a pet that is the image of cleanliness, health, and proper handling, and what better way to keep up the good looks your dog has than to ensure that it gets the grooming it deserves? Let me look into just how to groom a Pitbull.
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How to Groom a Pitbull
To start you off on a good note, the beauty about Pitbulls is that they have a short coat; this means that you don’t have to groom your dog as frequently as you would with other breeds like golden retrievers that have long coats, however when you do, ensure that you have the right products and equipment to get the job well done.
To keep your dog looking fresh and clean, here are some guidelines as to how this can be achieved.
Equip Yourself With the Essential Supplies
To get you a step closer to successful grooming, here are a set of particular tools and necessary equipment that are needed. This includes supplies such as:
- Cotton balls (for your dog’s ear)
- A bristle brush
- A mild pet shampoo (do not use regular human shampoo)
- A pair of nail clippers
- Baby wipes
- Coat conditioner
- Ear cleaner
- Styptic powder (for any cuts and injuries that may occur during grooming)
- Dog toothbrush
- Dog toothpaste
- Dog earplugs
Start From Within
The condition of your dog’s coat is influenced by good nutrition. Dogs’ fur can grow dull and dry as they get older. You can make sure your Pitbull is receiving the ideal nutrition needed for a healthy coat and nourished skin by giving your dog a high-quality meal rich in:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Important fatty acids, including vitamin E, omega-6, and omega-3
Because most commercial dog feeds contain many essential elements, feeding your dog with some is the first step to get the diet part right. It is important to consider that your dog will digest extra fat less effectively as it ages.
Brush Daily
This may sound like a lot to do, especially for a dog breed with minimal grooming requirements. However, if you want to keep or restore the desired luster of your Pitbulls coat, brush the coat every day with a rubber curry brush. Use a circular motion to stimulate circulation and distribute the dog’s natural oils through the coat.
Brushing removes dead hair and flaky skin cells, which can dull the coat. You can also use a ribbed glove that fits over your hand to capture loose hair and make the coat sparkle. Doing so will maintain the dog’s good looks and serve you as the owner, as you will be able to keep up with the hairs it sheds from time to time.
Bathing
Bathing your Pitbull would be likened to bathing other dog breeds, except that you may have to deal with stubbornness and constant wiggling, and owing to their might, it can be a struggle. Wherever you choose to bathe your Pitbull, it is helpful to first give it a proper brushing as this will eliminate the dead hair and excess dirt that collects on its coat.
Afterward, wet the entire body of your Pitty with water at a comfortable temperature while being watchful not to run the water onto its eyes or in its ears. Next, take your preferred shampoo, apply it on its body, and with your fingertips, rub it into the coat around in circles. If your dog has scabs or hotspots, shampoos with oatmeal formulas help ease them.
If your Pitty has an overly water-resistant coat, you can fill a tub or large basin with water and shampoo into it, stir up the mixture till it lathers and allow the dog to soak into it. When that is done, get the dog inside and scrub gently till the coat is adequately soaked. After scrubbing, you now move on to rinsing with fresh, clean water to get the soapy water off its coat as many times as necessary.
Drying
After completely rinsing your dog, dry its coat gently with a towel. Ensure that the towel covers all its surfaces to dry hidden areas such as the armpits, and should the towel prove to be ineffective, a dog hair drier will do as a good alternative. Additionally, you may take the dog outside where it may be windy to dry on its own, being keen to restrain it in a manner that doesn’t allow it to get dirty again.
After your Pitbull is dried, you can add an after-shine conditioner spray that gives it a fresh, clean look and a healthy coat. After, check the skin folds, armpits, neck, paws, and rear. If everything is cleared, your job is done.
Trimming Toenails and Whiskers
Pitbulls’ nails grow fast and, in no time, can grow too long to a point they curve. This looks bad and is a dirt magnet that could lead to infections as germs accumulate on them; it also poses a threat to cause injury not only to the dog itself and to others as well.
When it comes to trimming whiskers, it’s advisable to do it while the dog is leashed to avoid possible injuries, as Pitbulls are highly reactive dogs. Caution should be taken not to cut them too short as this may lead to disorientation accidents and fear, as whiskers are important tools for sniffing and navigating around.
Ear Care
Swabbing your Pitbulls ears at least once a week will help to keep the dirt that accumulates in the openings in check. When bathing or swimming, it’s important to have the dog fitted with ear plugs to prevent water from getting into its ears, causing an infection.
If it so happens that you have injured your dog when you are cleaning its ears, you should take it to the vet as soon as possible so they can have it checked.
Dental Care
A Pitbull’s teeth must be cleaned at least twice weekly to prevent tooth decay and other dental ailments. Use a double-bristled dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste to brush gently in circular motions. There are flavored dog kinds of toothpaste that will make brushing easier. The good news is you only have to scrub the outer layer and let your dog lick the toothpaste, and as it licks with the tongue, internal cleaning also takes place.
Avoid using human toothpaste on your dog, which contains substances such as baking soda and fluoride, which can be harmful.
Hot Spots and Skin Issues
Hotspots are oozy skin infections that result from poor hygiene and grooming.
A Pitbull’s sensitive skin makes it especially prone to such; this is more so attributed to its thin coat that allows for abrasions and penetration of irritants.
Your dog may also present with the following skin issues such as bacterial infections, yeast infections, and skin that is crusty, flaky, scabbing, and rough. If presenting signs persist even after a proper, gentle grooming treatment, a veterinarian’s checkup may be due.
Conclusion
It is crucial to make grooming time as fun and comfortable for your dog as possible as this allows it to look forward to such another time and gives you an easier time while at it. Your dog may need to understand why it’s important to be groomed and look good. However, if this is done in a cautious, gentle manner and possibly also paired with incentives, your Pitbull might surprisingly be eager to sign up for an enjoyable grooming experience.
