Pet Grooming Explained! Ever wonder why your dog rubs his bum on the floor?

Hi and welcome everyone!

This is Sharda with a pet grooming update for you. Pet grooming is one of those important responsibilities you have for your dogs.

Not only will pet grooming help your dog stay clean this will also help you discover any anomalies or irregularities that your dog may have developed frolicking through your yard or by mingling with other species.

Also, believe it or not pet grooming can certainly make you and your pooch a whole lot closer.

You see with pet grooming you and your dog to develop a deeper sense of trust that can certainly strengthens your bond.

So, today let me address a popular question from the emails you sent me and that is;

“Sharda, my dog rubs his bum on our floor, why is he doing that?”

So, let’s answer that question today shall we?

PET GROOMING - ABOUT ANAL GLANDS AND YOUR DOGS

Your dog's anal glands represent one area of the body that you may not associate with grooming. Relatively few owners actually do when compared with bathing, brushing or clipping, even though it is an area that should be openly discussed.

Anal glands are in place because they are effectively how dogs recognize each other and why they sniff every new dog they meet at the back end rather than the front.

Oily secretions build up in the anal glands and this is a completely natural process. In the case of some dogs, it will never cause a problem because the glands express themselves when they have a bowel movement.

However, in some cases it is necessary for you to manually express your dog's anal glands instead.

Expressing and cleaning the anal glands of your dog has to be the most unpleasant and unusual task that you have to do during the pet grooming process and there is much debate about whether or not it should be done.

Some owners suggest that it actually harms the dog and reduces bowel activity. However, this is not true.

Bowel activity is largely regulated by diet so you do not have to worry about harming your dog. Veterinarians would not recommend it otherwise. Although it may not be harmful, expressing the anal glands may make you heave and it may make you feel a little ill if you have a weak stomach.

However, it will help to ward off certain health problems further down the road and can help your dog to avoid veterinary bills at a later date.

It is advisable that you go to a veterinarian or a professional dog groomer the first time that your dog is to have his or her anal glands expressed because both will be experienced and know exactly how to do it.

This ensures that your dog is not only completely clean and perfectly comfortable with the procedure but also that you can physically see exactly what to do.

DO IT YOURSELF DOG GROOMING - EXPRESSING ANAL GLANDS

Well, the step by step instructions are outlined below for you to follow:

1. Proceed as if you were giving your dog a bath and ensure that the area around the bath is covered in towels. When you are expressing the anal glands, the contents may squirt out unexpectedly so it is better to prepare well and avoid any excess mess.


2. When you get your dog in the tub, you need to first find the glands, but this can be a difficult task because they are often impossible to see. They can be found to either side of the anus, specifically at 5 o clock and 7 o clock on your dog's backside.


3. You should gently rub the area of skin under which the glands are present to get an idea of their size and shape. They are effectively the size and shape of a kidney bean, maybe a little larger if they are full or infected. Place your thumb and forefinger beneath the skin under the actual openings.


4. Gently but firmly use your grip to squeeze in an upward motion, pressing in a little at the same time. You have to make sure that you get the gland below your fingertips in order to move the contents, forcing it all to the surface so it can move out of the opening. Using a grip that has just the right amount of pressure will help you to achieve this without causing any discomfort or distress to your dog at all. Never stand directly behind your dog when doing this or else you will be in the line of fire. You may actually want to place a damp cloth over the anus to prevent spray completely.


5. The greenish brown fluid should take a few squeezes to express in full. You should repeat step 4 over and over until no more fluid is emerging at all.


6. When all fluid has been removed, wash your dog's anal area thoroughly with warm water and dog shampoo to ensure that all remaining fluids have been removed and the area is once again completely hygienic. Leaving the oily fluids in the area can attract bacteria and cause an infection. Similarly, the secretions also tend to get everywhere including furniture, bedding and clothing so make sure that every single trace of it is removed.

Following the steps above is easy enough but you may be a little reluctant to perform it on your dog. This is understandable because most owners are reluctant the first time.

However, here is a little tip for you to get you started. It is easier to express the anal glands when your dog is relaxed or at least expecting some form of grooming if that is not possible.

As such, the bath is not only the perfect place to do it as a result of the mess but also as a result of the expectation of grooming.

When you have expressed the anal glands a few times, your dog will not only expect it but will also see it as a routine part of the bath, thus making it easier for you!

I hope that you learned something from this pet grooming update.

All the best and take care

Warmly,