Grooming

Regular grooming does more than keep your puppy looking his handsome best. It also promotes his good health.

Grooming your puppy gives you an opportunity to observe his natural, healthy appearance. You'll get to know how his eyes, ears, teeth and coat look when he’s feeling good. As a result, you'll be quick to notice any changes that might be cause for concern.

As you groom your puppy to remove dead hair, dirt, and dead skin flakes, take the time to examine his body. Look for unusual lumps under his skin, as well as for rashes, bald spots, sores, and dull or flaky skin. These are potential warning signs that may warrant a trip to the veterinarian.

Grooming is also the time to check for fleas and other external parasites. Part your puppy’s hair to the skin and examine him from head to tail. Remember, fleas are tiny and not always easily seen, especially on longhaired pups, so keep an eye out for the black specks of flea droppings.

In addition, do a careful scan of your puppy’s footpads for cuts, punctures, and foreign objects. During winter months, mud, snow, ice, salt and chemical de-icing solutions can also injure his paws. Clean paws with soap and water, and treat pads for cuts by applying an antiseptic approved for use on puppies. During summer months, inspect his paws for thorns. If you find any, carefully remove them with tweezers, and apply puppy-safe antiseptic.