Dog hygiene is not just about "bathing once a month." It is a weekly routine that includes fur, ears, eyes, paws, and teeth. Here are the 8 essential things.
1. Regular Brushing
The foundation of hygiene. It removes dead hair, distributes oils, and prevents tangles.
Frequency:- Short fur: once a week
- Medium fur: 2-3 times
- Long fur: daily
2. Targeted Bathing, Not Frequent
Too frequent baths destroy the skin's lipid barrier.
Optimal Frequency:- Healthy dog at home: every 6-8 weeks
- Sporting dog: every 4-5 weeks
- Dog with dermatitis: as prescribed
3. Paw Cleaning After Walks
For urban dogs, hot asphalt, de-icing salt, chemicals. Use wet wipes or a damp cloth.
4. Weekly Ear Cleaning
Especially for dogs with floppy ears (Cocker, Basset, Beagle). Use a veterinary ear product; never use cotton swabs in the canal.
5. Daily Eye Cleaning
Moistened gauze with warm water, cleaning from the inside out. Important for breeds with large eyes or watering (Bulldog, Maltese, Yorkshire).
6. Dental Hygiene
80% of adult dogs have dental plaque. Brush 3-7 times a week with veterinary toothpaste.
7. Regular Nail Trimming
Every 4-6 weeks. Overgrown nails can cause joint problems and pain in the paws.
8. Weekly Body Check
5 minutes to look for:
- Suspicious lumps
- Ticks after country walks
- Redness, dermatitis
- Changes in coat (alopecia, dull fur)
The Typical Weekly Routine
- Every day: eye cleaning (if needed), brushing for long fur
- Weekly: ears, body check, brushing for short/medium fur
- 3-7 times/week: teeth
- Monthly: nail trimming, possible bathing
Essential Tools
- Brush suitable for the coat
- Wide-toothed comb
- Veterinary ear product
- Nail clippers
- Toothbrush + veterinary toothpaste
- Pet wet wipes
Initial cost: €50-80. It pays off by avoiding veterinary visits.
Before We Say Goodbye
Dog hygiene is active prevention. Just 10 minutes a day of simple care eliminates 80% of chronic problems. Routine, not perfection.
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