Having a healthy skin and coat is crucial for the overall physical health of your pets. What kind of care your dog needs varies, but the main thing is that all dogs need a good grooming regimen. Check out these steps to find out how you could help your dog have a healthy coat.

You could check with private pet groomers, or a veterinarian or even your local pet specialty store. They are well trained and familiar with the needs of your dog. They will clean your dog’s ears and cut his nails.

A healthy coat will be soft and relatively smooth even on short or wired hair breeds. The coat should be shiny but not greasy, and it should not have a strong odor.

Brushing requires the appropriate tools. There are as many different types of brushes as there are types of coats on a dog. Ideally, you need two brushes: one with widely spaced teeth for the coat’s outer layer and a finer-spaced brush for combing and brushing around the face. You can also ask your veterinarian or groomer for a recommendation.

Dogs are content without a bath. “Doggy smell” is mostly caused by a buildup of bacteria and oil on a dog’s coat. Bathing will eliminate this build up.

Be careful with “over-bathing.” This can lead to dry skin and irritation. Unless your dog is particularly dirty, don’t bathe more than once a month. Also, don’t use shampoo designed for people. Baby shampoo is safe and won’t irritate the eyes, but the detergents are so mild that they won’t remove heavy grime or grease. Ideally, purchase cleaning products formulated for your dog. Your veterinarian or local pet specialty store sells them.

One of the most important aspects of maintaining a healthy coat is nutrition. Hair is mostly made of protein. The better your dog’s food, the better your dog’s coat.