Oil glands located within the body can help dogs maintain a healthy, shiny coat. Dogs will nibble and scratch their coats with their teeth or nails to stimulate these glands. A dog gently nibbling on her coat is not anything unusual—this is just the process of the dog using her teeth as a comb to remove any debris or dirt from the coat. However, excessive scratching could indicate the presence of a problem.
Of course, it’s important for dog owners to remember that even though dogs are capable of grooming themselves, it doesnt mean they are capable of doing everything necessary to keep themselves clean. Instead, owners should take their dogs’ grooming cues as a sign that they may need some help, and a responsible owner will keep a steady grooming schedule and take care of any unforeseen grooming issues (surprise encounters with skunks, impromptu romps through the mud, etc.) as they arise.
Since dogs do not have the same dexterity as humans, they rely on their tongues to groom themselves—even in hard to reach places like the rear. Their flexible backbones allow most dogs to reach their private areas for grooming. However, it is worth noting that excessive licking could indicate the presence of health problems, like discharge or irritation.
When on their own, dogs can groom themselves efficiently—even though their standards may not be close to what we would consider “good.” Unless you own a particular breed of dog that requires the attention of a groomer for all needs, your dog is likely taking matters into her own paws to make sure her coat is in good shape. Here are six ways dogs try to naturally maintain their own hygiene and take care of themselves.
It is likely that youve seen a dog do the well-known whole body shake. Dogs often do this after they have just rolled around on the floor, if they have just stood up after a nap, and even after youve been petting them for a good, long while. This is because dogs have several nerve receptors on their hair follicles. Because of this, they can feel varying degrees of pressure and detect foreign matter, such as dust or debris. A full-body shake is often a dog’s go-to approach for eliminating foreign material from the coat.
Dogs May Engage in Compulsive Licking
If you notice that your dog is licking the same area over and over, you want to take a look to see if something is wrong. Or, he may engage in excessive licking when he’s scared or nervous. While licking can help to relieve stress, obsessive licking is likely to reinforce anxiety and make things worse.
The 17 Cleanest Dog Breeds
The Japanese Chin is a cute little guy who is often described as more feline than canine. Not only does he clean himself fastidiously like a cat, but he also jumps up on shelves and perches himself there all day. He is graceful and quiet too. So, if you can’t decide between a dog or a cat, the Japanese Chin is your best bet.
Despite being 3,000 years old, the Xoloitzcuintli is a very clean dog. He comes in either two varieties, either coatless or coated, and the coated type is super smooth and slick. No matter which coat he picks, he never smells and rarely gets mucky. All he needs is sunblock and a jumper in the winter, and he’s a happy hairless bunny.
These Are 10 Cleanest Dog Breeds
Although many dogs can be filthy creatures, there are a number of pooches out there that pride themselves on being pristine and topping the list as the cleanest dog breeds.
In this post, we’ll share with you what those 15 cleanest dogs are, so you can bring home a new companion that not only keeps itself clean but your house too.