The 4 Important Kinds of Grooming Every Shih Tzu Needs

Some well-meaning pet owners can often overlook the importance of dog grooming, and while some pets can get away without regular visits to the groomer, others are not so lucky. One of these dog breeds, for instance, is the Shih Tzu.

Shih Tzus are extremely popular breeds among dog lovers for their affectionate and outgoing temperament. With all the joys that come with these lovable dogs, you have to note that they have a double coat. Any of the best dog groomers in your area will tell you that this means they’ll need more grooming than most other dogs.

Moreover, Shih Tzus, in particular, need different kinds of grooming to maintain their good looks and good quality of life. Here’s what they’ll need:

General Cleaning

General cleaning includes maintaining the cleanliness in areas around their eyes, ears, and teeth. Shih Tzu owners will need to clean around their dogs’ eyes every day because they’re more prone to eye issues, particularly staining. Cleaning around the eyes will ensure their vision remains clear and their face clean.

Ear cleaning is also crucial to do regularly as this will alert you for any abnormalities in your dog’s ears. These issues can range from excessive hair growth, an abnormal odor, or too much wax production. Any of these could potentially lead to an ear infection, which you’ll need to address immediately.

Brushing your dog’s teeth is another necessity to ensure their health. It is something you’ll have to start when they’re a puppy and maintain doing as they grow older, at least once a week. Usually, introducing a dog to teeth brushing can be tricky when they’re older.

Bathing

When it comes to bathing your Shih Tzu, the recommended amount of times to do it is once every three weeks. Any more than this can lead to drying out their sensitive skin. They are prone to skin conditions, so it’s best to limit their bath times to avoid stripping them of their natural skin oils.

Hair Maintenance

Hair maintenance is one of the more time-consuming kinds of grooming, but also one of the most necessary ones for Shih Tzus. Because of their double coat, these precious dog breeds are more likely to get their hair tangled and matted.

You can avoid this through proper hair care for your dog by brushing their hair at least once a day. This is best if they have long hair. If you prefer keeping your Shih Tzu’s coat shorter, you can do this at least once a week.

For the second type of hair maintenance, cutting, haircuts should be a regular occurrence for Shih Tzus. Unlike other dogs, their fur never stops growing. Without these frequent trips to the dog groomer, their hair can get out of hand.

The kind of haircut you ask for during your pet’s grooming session doesn’t matter, as long as you remember the most important thing: to remove any hair that might be getting in the way of your dog’s eyes and mouth.

Nail Cutting

Lastly, there’s nail cutting. It is essential because overgrown nails can hurt any dog. Besides, it’s something you can do for your dog yourself or, if you’re uncomfortable or worried that you might hurt them, you can ask a dog groomer to do it for you.

Once every four to six weeks is the recommended frequency for trimming your dog’s nails, and it’s best to do this at the same time as their haircut.

Conclusion

Shih Tzus are certainly a delightful breed to have in your home, and they make extremely loyal pets. However, as responsible dog owners, you must make sure they’re getting all the kinds of grooming they’ll need for the best quality of life. It’s always advisable to go to a trusted dog groomer in your area to guarantee your pet gets what they deserve.

Earthwise Pet is a nutrition center and wellness spa for pets. We offer the best pet supplies, self-wash, and pet grooming in Bentonville, Arkansas. Get in touch with us today to book a slot!