Pet grooming isn’t all bows and brushes, it is vital to your pet’s overall health, well-being, and appearance.

Regular grooming gives you the opportunity to see the signs of underlying conditions or diseases so they can be quickly and easily treated before they get too severe. Here are several benefits of pet grooming:

Brushing: Brushing not only removes knots and mats, it also removes dirt, dandruff, and dead hairs. For cats, it also reduces the amount of hair balls they ingest. Brushing also stimulates the pet’s skin to produce its natural oils that condition the skin and fur coat. You can also check for ticks, fleas, dry patches, and abnormalities while brushing your pet.

Ears: For pets with large, floppy ears, it is critical to examine their ears from time to time because they are more prone to infection. Your pet’s ears should be clean and odorless. While you are examining the ears, you should also look for issues such as ticks, mites, swelling, and redness. If you notice any of these signs, consult with your vet for proper treatment.

Eyes: Eyes don’t need a ton of attention, but that doesn’t mean they should go unattended to. Eyes can be prone to infection if the hairs around them are too long. Your pet should have a bright and clear path of vision. If you notice developing sores or your pet’s eyes excessively watering, contact your vet for them to be seen so they can get proper treatment.

Bathing: While it is important to bath your pet, you don’t want to bath them too often because it can have a negative effect on their skin. Being washed too often strips the skin of its natural oils and causes dry, itchy patches on the skin which can lead to infection.

Nail trimming: As any pet owner can attest to, pets can have sharp nails that can cause mild damage if not trimmed regularly. Regular trims reduce the risk of in-grown nails, injury, and nails being caught on furniture or carpet. Also, trimming older pet’s nails can ease joint pain.