If you’re the lucky owner of a Saint Bernard, you know how important it is to keep them looking and feeling their best. But caring for a Saint Bernard can be quite a challenge since they require frequent grooming due to their thick double-layered coats. If you goal is to have your dog look just like Beethoven in the famous Disney movie, be prepared for some grooming work! Here are 5 tips to help make sure your Saint Bernard looks and feels great all year round.
1. Brush Your Dog Regularly
A Saint Bernard’s coat can get matted quickly if it isn’t brushed regularly. You should brush your dog at least once a week with a slicker brush or pin brush to remove dead hair and prevent matting of the fur. Additionally, brushing your dog will help to distribute natural oils evenly throughout their coat which helps keep it healthy and shiny.
2. Bathing
It is generally recommended that you bathe your Saint Bernard every 3-4 weeks with a gentle shampoo specifically designed for dogs. Using human shampoo on your dog can strip away essential oils in their skin, so avoid using anything other than canine specific shampoo when bathing your pet. Additionally, make sure to use lukewarm water when bathing as hot water can dry out their skin and cause irritation. Actually, you can also use fish oil for dogs for healthier skin and coats. You can get this kind of product from online stores like Mighty Munch.
3. Trimming Hair Around Ears & Paws
Trimming the hair around the ears and paws of your Saint Bernard helps keep them looking neat while also preventing dirt and debris from getting trapped in their fur which can cause inflammation or infection in those areas. Use blunt-ended scissors to trim any excess fur in these areas but be careful not to cut too close as this could cause discomfort for your pet.
4. Cleaning Ears & Eyes
It is important that you regularly clean the eyes and ears of your pet as buildup in these areas can lead to irritation or infection if left unchecked over time. Make sure to use only vet-approved cleaning solutions when cleaning these areas as other products may contain ingredients that could cause harm if used improperly or too frequently on sensitive skin around the eyes or ears of your pet.
5. Nails
Keeping up with nail trimming is an important part of grooming any pet, but especially so with large breeds like the St Bernard because their nails tend to grow more quickly than smaller breeds due to their size and weight distribution across their feet pads (nails contact ground more often). As such, it’s important that you check the nails on each foot every few weeks and trim them back when they become too long but not too short (this could damage the nail bed). If necessary, enlisting professional help may be beneficial if you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself – there are many groomers who offer services specifically tailored towards larger breed dogs like St Bernards!
Grooming a Saint Bernard is no small task given its size and thick coat, but by following these five tips, you can ensure that your furry friend looks its best all year round! Not only will regular grooming keep their coats shiny and healthy, but it will also help prevent infections from forming due to dirt and debris buildup in sensitive areas like around eyes or ears – so don’t forget about those parts too! With just a little bit of effort each week, keeping up with grooming needs should be relatively painless for both you and your beloved pooch!
photo cred: https://unsplash.com/photos/84Xee3ZVrvc
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