When you bring a Labrador retriever into your family, you are bringing in a great companion for everyone. However, you need to make sure you give the dog the proper care so he will grow into a healthy dog. This includes keeping him clean, keeping his environment clean and making sure he has everything he needs. One of the most important aspects of the care of your dog is keeping him and his environment clean.
Brushing
Brushing your Labrador will afford many benefits for both you and the dog. One of the best benefits of brushing your dog often is to remove loose fur that would otherwise shed around your home. Of course, this isn’t the only benefit. Brushing your dog frequently will remove any loose dirt from his fur, provide a bonding experience for you and your Labrador and keeps your dog looking nice. The more often you brush your dog, the better he will handle it.
Nail Trimming
It can be a scary thing to try to cut your Labrador’s nails, especially if his nails are dark, making the quick difficult to locate. However, if you don’t trim your dog’s nails, they can become cracked and cause pain and other issues for your dog. If you want to do it yourself, just make sure you use a special dog nail trimmer and keep some special powder on hand to stop the bleeding quickly if you cut too deep. If you are afraid of doing it yourself, your veterinarian or dog groomer can do this task for you.
Bath Frequency
It can be tempting to bathe your dog often, especially if he plays outside and gets dirty. However, if you bathe your Labrador too often, you run the risk of your dog developing dry skin. Therefore, it is important not to bathe your dog more than once a week, preferably less often. If your dog smells or needs a bath in between, use dog wipes or a waterless shampoo product. In situations where your dog gets too dirty too early, you may need to give him a bath regardless of your schedule.
Waste Pick Up
Perhaps the most unpleasant part of owning a Labrador retriever is picking up after him. However, it needs to be done. While it can be easy to leave the waste to pile up in the yard and only clean it up once a week or so, it is better for your dog if you pick up after him daily. Better yet, if you pick up after him immediately after he goes. This can help reduce the risk of your Labrador becoming ill from a contaminated yard.
Taking proper care of your Labrador will help ensure that he lives a long and healthy life. Keeping him healthy and clean will ensure you have a happy pet. Keeping his fur brushed and clean, although you shouldn’t bathe him too often, will help ensure he looks nice and has healthy fur and skin. It is also important to trim his nails often and pick up after your dog frequently.
