Dogs don’t groom themselves like cats, but they also take care of their hygiene; they just do it differently. They can’t lick their entire bodies, so they use other methods to maintain cleanliness.
Dogs are true aesthetes when it comes to self-care and spend a lot of time on their hygiene every day. Although we may perceive them as messy, their “hygienic” habits are actually quite interesting. How exactly do dogs maintain cleanliness?
Dogs have several ways to stay clean. Similar to cats, they use their tongues to remove dirt and debris from their fur. Additionally, they use their teeth to “scrape” off impurities and dead skin cells. It’s also worth noting that pets love to roll in the grass. You might think this just adds dirt, but in reality, the dog is trying to get rid of old fur.
There is another method of “cleaning” — sweat. Dogs sweat through their paws, and this process helps produce an oily substance that helps repel dirt and keep their fur clean.
So, the next time you see your dog licking itself or rolling in the grass, remember that it’s just trying to keep itself clean!
Some Habits from Cats
Dogs really enjoy licking their owners' faces. While this may be a sign of affection, this behavior also serves an important function. When a dog licks the face of its fellow canine, it is grooming them, just like a cat does.
But why don’t dogs groom their entire bodies like cats? Firstly, dogs have much denser fur than cats, which makes it difficult to thoroughly clean their whole body.
Moreover, dogs lead a more active lifestyle than cats, which means they get dirty more often and require more regular and thorough cleaning. If a cat falls into a muddy puddle, it also won’t be able to clean itself completely.
As for bathing dogs, it is recommended to wash your pet at least once a month to remove dirt, debris, and dead skin cells. If your dog has a lot of fur, it may be worth bathing it more frequently. Be sure to use a gentle dog shampoo to avoid damaging the animal's skin.
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