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June 29th
Labrador Retrievers are a fairly low maintenance dog breed. But you’ll still need to keep up with regular grooming if you want them to stay healthy.
Here’s the perfect grooming routine for Labrador Retrievers:
Before you start brushing, you should thoroughly inspect your Labrador’s coat for any knots, mats, and bumps. You should also look out for any abnormal hair loss.
Massage their fur, which will help pull out loose hair and can make it easier to brush through tangles.
Once you’ve done the prep work, it’s time to brush. Choose a brush with fairly soft teeth that won’t irritate your dog’s skin. Gently brush through their coat, making sure to cover their whole body.
If they have any thick tangles, you should use a comb to break up mats and straighten hair. Just make sure you don’t press down too hard, as this may hurt your dog.
Brushing once a week is recommended to keep your Labrador Retriever’s coat healthy. However, daily brushing is the best way to ensure that tangles do not form. It can also stimulate the oil glands in their skin, which helps coat their fur and keep it shiny.
Now that you’ve brushed and gotten rid of loose hair, you can give them a bath. Labradors don’t need to be bathed that often, and you really only need to do it when their coat is really dirty. Bathing too much can dry out their skin and strip oil from their fur.
Check your lab’s ears and see if there is any wax or dirt build up. If you notice anything in their ears, take a cotton swab or ball and gently wipe it around the edge of their ear, avoiding sticking it directly into their ear canal.
You can also use a number of different ear cleaning products to remove wax and prevent infections. Speak to your vet before using these products.
If your dog is itching or scratching more than normal at their ears, it could be a sign that they have excess wax or an ear infection. Take them to the vet if you notice any signs of an ear infection, as these could damage their hearing if left untreated.
You should also look around your dog’s eyes to make sure that there isn’t any puss or goop. If there is, take a clean cloth and wipe it off. You can also gently wash the edge of their eyes with a saline solution.
If you notice any irritation or significant redness around the eyes, this could be a sign of an infection, and you should speak to your vet. Labradors often have a light yellow stain next to their eyes due to their tears, which you should not worry about.
Trimming should be a part of your dog’s regular grooming routine. It can protect your floors, as well as prevent ingrown nails that cause pain while walking.
When trimming nails, use a pair of clippers that are designed for dogs. Also pick a pair that is the right size for your Labrador. Start with small cuts, slowly working away at the tip of the nail. Try to keep the shape of the nail by cutting at an angle.
If you see a black dot in the middle of their nail, stop trimming. This is the quick, the part of the nail that has blood vessels. If you keep cutting, you’ll cause a bleed.
Dental health is just as important for Labradors as it is for humans. Try to brush your dog’s teeth a few times a week, and every day if you can. This will prevent plaque buildup, which can cause cavities and tooth decay. Plaque can also have a negative impact on your dog’s heart health, as plaque can enter the bloodstream.
Use a small toothbrush with soft bristles and toothpaste that is designed for dogs. Pull their lips up and gently brush back and forth, making sure to also brush their gums.
If you see any large plaque deposits, you may need to have your vet remove them. This procedure is fairly painless, as your dog will be anesthetized. Make sure to keep brushing your dog’s teeth afterwards to prevent further plaque buildup.
You should also make sure that your Labrador is protected from pests and parasites. Speak to your vet about the right pest treatment for your dog.
If you’re looking for the right Labrador Retriever, head over to our puppy finder page. At Uptown Puppies, our puppy finder connects you to some of the best breeders and companies around, helping you find the perfect puppy.
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