Rex’s Thoughts on Grooming

When it comes to my grooming, I’m a hound who likes to keep up with all the trends. My coat, nails, teeth, and ears are always on point because my mom, Tonya, knows exactly what I want! But what I need to stay well-groomed may be different for my other Hipster Hound friends. Just like people, dogs need physical maintenance to look and feel our best. Fortunately, we do not need to bathe as often as the humans, but generally, our grooming needs depend upon our breed, hair type, lifestyle, and health.

Hair Brushing
I personally love a nice hair brushing session with my mom. It feels so relaxing like a massage, and it keeps my coat silky smooth and shiny. Since I have short hair, I only need to be brushed every few weeks, but dogs with long hair (like a Maltese) require daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling. For me and my other double-coated friends, we seasonally need a brush with a little more UMPH, so my mom uses the FURminator to help me shed my undercoat each spring and fall. It cuts through my thick undercoat with no pain at all!

Nail Trimming
One time when I was a puppy, someone inexperienced clipped my nails too short, and it really hurt! Ever since then, I have been scared to have my nails trimmed even though I know I need to keep them at a healthy length. So now my groomer uses a rotary tool to gently file down all my nails, and I don’t even notice when she’s doing it.

Ear & Teeth Care
Sometimes, my big floppy ears trap bacteria and yeast in their canals. It can bother me so much that I scratch so much that I have to go to the vet to get some medicine. But most of the time, a weekly cleaning will prevent these trips to the vet. My other dog friends with pointy, open ears have never had a problem but even they enjoy a good ear cleaning, too. It all depends on our genes and unique ear anatomy.

And the same goes for our teeth - each dog is different! My mom gives me dental chews to keep my breath smelling fresh and to reduce plaque build-up. Once in a while, she brushes my teeth with a special brush and toothpaste made just for me. But I squirm and wiggle A LOT when she does that, so every year, I go to the vet for a professional cleaning. Some of my friends have never had one, but they’re just LUCKY!

Something else that keeps the vet away is a water additive to eliminate bacteria in the water I drink and in my mouth. I like the water additives because they are safe for me to drink, and they break down the bacteria that cause plaque, tartar, and bad breath. Plaque and tartar are a serious problem, as they can lead to painful, bleeding gums and inflammation if not treated.

Bathing & Haircuts
Finally, my favorite way to stay fresh and clean is with a bubbly bath. Again, since I have short hair, I don’t need a bath too often - unless I get slobbered on a bunch from playing with the lady dogs! But other dogs with continuously growing hair (such as a Poodle or Shih Tzu) usually need their fur washed and cut every four to six weeks, depending on their breed and the style of the cut. I prefer to leave my baths to a professional groomer like The Hipster Hound, but lots of dog parents prefer to groom my friends on their own.

At The Hipster Hound, they only use all-natural shampoos made in the USA because that’s what’s best for my coat and health! They even offer a self-serve dog wash with everything a dog parent could need to bathe their pup all on their own: shampoo, cream rinse, towels, ear and eye wipes, brushes, combs, and a drying station - all within a private, secure bathing room. They have a high, large tub to accommodate all-sized dogs, and they even offer aprons for the dog parents to help them stay dry!

To schedule a grooming appointment for your dog, call The Hipster Hound at (912) 349-7640.

Woof,

Rex, The Original Hipster Hound