Havanese Grooming Essentials for a Happy Healthy Pet

The Havanese is a low-shedding breed, but they still require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their silky coats. Their fur can become matted if not brushed daily.

Brushing is essential for Havanese grooming, and a slicker brush is the best tool for the job. A slicker brush will help prevent matting and tangling, making it easier to maintain their beautiful coat.

Daily brushing will also help reduce shedding, which is a plus for Havanese owners who suffer from allergies. Regular brushing will also help distribute skin oils, keeping their coat healthy and shiny.

Havanese owners should also be prepared to trim their pet's nails regularly, as their nails can grow quickly and get quite long.

On a similar theme: Havanese Shedding

Bathing your Havanese regularly is essential to maintain their coat's health and beauty.

Bathing frequency depends on the dog's activities and coat condition, but a good rule of thumb is to bathe them every 2-4 weeks.

Using dog-specific shampoos and conditioners is crucial, as they are formulated to match the pH level of a dog's skin.

A mild, dog-friendly shampoo that won't strip the natural oils from their coat is the best choice for Havanese.

Make sure the water is lukewarm, and gently massage the shampoo into the coat, avoiding the eyes and ears.

A moisturizing shampoo can be a good choice to keep their coat soft and hydrated, especially for Havanese prone to dry skin.

Thoroughly rinse the shampoo and conditioner to ensure no product residue remains.

After bathing, dry your Havanese with a soft towel or a low-heat hairdryer, ensuring they are completely dry to prevent skin issues.

Here's a summary of the bathing process:

Nail care is a crucial part of Havanese grooming. Regular nail trimming is necessary for your Havanese's comfort, as long nails can cause discomfort and affect their gait.

Trim your Havanese's nails about twice a month, or as often as needed, to prevent overgrowth. You can use a dog nail clipper or grinder, being careful to avoid the quick.

If you accidentally cut the quick, apply styptic powder immediately to stop the bleeding. It's also a good idea to use a nail guard to prevent hair from getting caught in the rotating head.

To make nail trimming easier, consider using a Pedipaws, a rotating emery cylinder that grinds rather than cuts the nails. This can help prevent bleeding and make the process less stressful for your Havanese.

Here are some general guidelines for nail trimming:

Remember, if you have difficulty trimming your Havanese's nails, most vets or groomers will do a nail clip for a nominal charge.

Some Havanese dogs need to have any long hairs plucked out of their ears to keep the ear canal clear, but it's a simple task with the right product.

You can use Thornit powder, which weakens the hair root, making it easy to remove with your thumb and forefinger. I've tried it on my nephew's eyebrows, and he was amazed it didn't hurt.

Havanese dogs often suffer from tear staining around their eyes due to their long fringes hanging in their eyes. Clean around the eyes daily with a soft, damp cloth, and use a tear stain remover if necessary.

To keep the eye area clean and reduce tear staining, use an eye cleaner like "Pretty Eyes" to soften any debris. Then, use a cotton pad to wipe away any debris that's stuck to the hair.

Floppy ears can make Havanese dogs prone to ear infections, so clean their ears weekly with a gentle, vet-approved solution, and keep the hair around their ear canal trimmed to promote air circulation.

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Havanese dogs need regular ear care to prevent problems caused by excessive ear hair. Some Havanese need to have long hairs plucked out of their ears to keep the ear canal clear.

Excessive ear hair can cause debris to accumulate, leading to issues. I use Thornit powder to weaken the hair root, making it simple to remove with a little dust and a 20-minute wait.

Expand your knowledge: Do Havanese Have Hair or Fur

The eyes of Havanese dogs often suffer due to their long fringes hanging in their eyes. In the UK, they don't need the protection from fierce sunlight they'd get in their native Cuba.

I tie fringes back using a french plait to keep them out of their eyes. This method holds the ends out of the eyes without pulling on the roots of the hair too much.

Cleaning the eye area is essential to reduce tear staining. I use an eye cleaner like "Pretty Eyes" to soak a cotton pad and place it over the hair around the eye.

Daily cleaning around the eyes with a soft, damp cloth can help prevent tear staining. Using a tear stain remover if necessary can also be effective.

Regular ear cleaning is crucial to prevent infections in Havanese dogs. Cleaning their ears weekly with a gentle, vet-approved solution can help keep the ear canal clear.

Keeping the hair around the ear canal trimmed promotes air circulation and helps prevent infections.

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Regular brushing is essential to maintain your dog's teeth and gums, as well as keep his breath fresh. Brush your dog's teeth 1-2 times a week.

Never use human toothpaste as it can upset your dog's stomach if swallowed. Canine toothpaste is a better alternative and is available in various flavors.

Plaque can harden into tartar if left unattended, causing infections. Regular brushing can help prevent this.

You can also provide your dog with dental chews to help maintain oral hygiene. Dental chews are available on Amazon and can be a tasty option for dogs who hate brushing.

Chewing can release "happy" chemicals in your dog's brain, making them calm and contented. This is why chewing is so important for puppies during teething.