Egg membranes are often overlooked as a potential source of nutrition for pets. However, they contain important nutrients that can benefit your dog’s or cat’s health. The egg membrane is the thin layer that separates the eggshell from the egg white. It comprises two distinct layers: the outer and inner membranes. Both of these layers are edible and contain various nutrients.
Grooming is an essential part of your pet’s life. There are a couple of factors that play a role in how often to groom your pet. Skin health, coat type, (long, short, medium, curly, wavy, thick, etc.), activity level, health, and breed should all be considered. What happens if we groom our pets too frequently? Grooming too frequently can result in damage to the hair follicles, dry irritated skin, and can also lead to bacterial and/or fungal infections as well.
Which One is Best for Your Pet?
Your dog’s skin and coat condition are excellent indicators of overall health. A healthy coat is a shiny, smooth coat without coarse or brittle hair. And healthy skin should be supple, not flaky or greasy.
While nutrition influences the health of your pet’s skin and coat from the inside, regular grooming and bathing do wonders to keep your dog’s skin and coat vibrant and healthy.
We believe that bathing your dog should be included in your overall grooming process. Bathing promotes skin exfoliation, removes loose hair, prevents matting, and lets you check for external parasites like fleas and ticks.
Perhaps most importantly, bath time is another opportunity to bond with your dog. Warm water, soothing shampoo, and soft and repeated touching allow you and your dog to strengthen your connection to each other.
Before we take a look at shampoos, let’s talk about your dog’s skin.
A dog’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than human skin. The epidermis (the outer layer of skin) is our body’s shield against the environment. We are protected from disease, ultraviolet light, and injury by it. This “shield” is 10-15 cells thick in humans. In dogs, it’s only 3-5 cells thick.
Hair that grows out of the skin is also different between the two species. Human hair grows as a single hair and continues to grow. A dog’s hair grows in bundles and stops growing at a certain length, as determined by the dog’s genetics. Once the hair stops growing, it dies and is shed.
These differences are why you can’t use human shampoos on your dog. In most cases, the pH is too acidic for your dog’s skin and will cause irritation and rashes.
Like shampoos for human hair, there are many choices when picking the right shampoo for your pup.
We separate dog shampoos into nine main categories:
Let’s take a closer look at each type of shampoo.
These are less expensive “maintenance” shampoos that gently clean your dog if she has no allergies or skin conditions. Our favorite general-purpose shampoos include Kenic Kalaya Emu Oil Shampoo.
Conditioners are used after shampooing to detangle and condition your dog’s coat. Most coat conditioners contain silicones that bond to the hair’s surface, creating a protective envelope. This temporarily creates a smooth surface, even after the conditioner is rinsed out. We recommend EarthBath Oatmeal and Aloe Conditioner.
A conditioning shampoo is the ultimate two-in-one product if you want to gently clean and condition simultaneously. We haven’t found these two-in-ones to be as effective as a dedicated conditioner, but they are perfect for maintenance bathing. We like Skout’s Honor 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner.
While your adult dog’s skin is sensitive, a young puppy’s skin is even more so. We recommend using only a washcloth and warm water to clean your puppy until she is three months old. She can be introduced to bathtime at that age, using a shampoo specially formulated for a pup’s soft fur and delicate skin. Quality puppy shampoos use all-natural ingredients and should be tear-free to reduce irritation. Our recommended puppy shampoos are EarthBath Puppy and Skout’s Honor Happy Puppy Shampoo.
Hypo-allergenic shampoos are for dogs with extra sensitive skin or those prone to scratching. These shampoos are typically free of the fragrances, dyes, and coloring that can cause allergic reactions. Our top hypo-allergenic shampoos are Kenic Emu Oil Shampoo and EarthBath Hypoallergenic.
Oatmeal shampoos are designed for dogs who suffer from occasional hot spots or seasonally dry, flaky, and itchy skin. These shampoos are made with a finely ground mixture of oatmeal that acts as a mild exfoliant when lathered into the coat, loosening dead skin cells and temporarily relieving itching. Our top-selling oatmeal shampoo is EarthBath Oatmeal and Aloe.
Medicated shampoos target specific skin and coat conditions such as hot spots, fungal and bacterial infections, and parasites like fleas and ticks. Often, these conditions require medical treatment in addition to specialized shampoo. Our best-sellers are Kenic Tea Tree Shampoo and EarthBath Hot Spot Relief Shampoo.
Often referred to as “good bacteria,” probiotics are live bacteria that help resolve many skin-related issues in your dog. We frequently recommend probiotic shampoos to relieve itchy skin, dry hair, hot spots, and seasonal allergies. Our favorite probiotic shampoo is Skout’s Honor Probiotic Honeysuckle Pet Shampoo + Conditioner.
This type of specialty shampoo works on the molecular level to break down odors at the source instead of masking them with fragrance. We’ve found it’s a wise investment to always keep a bottle on hand. You never know when Fido will get in an argument with a skunk or decide to roll around on a fresh pile of feces or dead animals. Our most effective deodorizing shampoos are EarthBath Deodorizing shampoo.
Your dog’s skin and coat are windows into her health. Using a high-quality dog shampoo keeps her coat clean, moisturized, and healthy.
Regular bathing — once a month is fine for most dogs — prevents matting and removes dead hair and skin. Bathtime is also the perfect opportunity to look for scabs, hot spots, bald spots, or parasites.
Please feel free to call us at (203) 271-0111 or stop in the store and let us help you pick the shampoo or conditioner that’s best for your dog.
Brushing your dog’s coat is essential to your pet’s health. Regular brushing removes loose hair before it sheds on your carpet and clothes. It also clears out dead hair and straightens tangles. Tangles can cause painful skin irritations and infection if left unattended.
Brushing is also good for your dog’s skin. By running the brush through the fur, the movement stimulates the production of natural oils in the skin.
Finding the right brush to use on your dogs can be confusing. Many of our customers feel overwhelmed by the options and which brushes work best on the many coat types.
Fortunately, we have decades of dog brush expertise to help you pick the perfect brush for your pet based on coat type. Make sure to check out our recommendations based on coat type at the end of this article.
Dog grooming brushes fall into four main types:
Brushes are used daily grooming to untangle minor mats, remove dead hair, and stimulate your dog’s skin.
At first, many dogs don’t care about being brushed. If your dog refuses to be brushed, try a grooming glove. These gloves have textured rubber surfaces that pick up loose hair and provide a massage, just like when you’re petting your dog.
There are many types of combs to help you keep your pet’s coat healthy.
A general grooming comb is best for long-haired dogs to help remove tangles and knots. Make sure to use wider-spaced teeth to start tackling knots, then progress to a comb with more tightly spaced teeth.
A dematting comb has ridged stainless steel blades to cut through mats instead of pulling on them or ripping the fur from the skin.
A flea comb has tightly spaced teeth that catch fleas and dirt as they move through the coat.
PRO TIP: Always brush in the natural direction of your dog’s fur. This minimizes the chance of you ripping or tearing the skin.
A rake is designed to get deep into thick coats to gently remove tangles and dead portions of the undercoat.
A standard rake resembles a comb but with longer, wide-spaced teeth. Looking like a miniature garden rake, the teeth have rounded tips and excel at gently removing dead fur and tangles in longer-haired dogs.
An undercoat rake has curved small blades with sharp edges to remove mats and loose fur from dogs with heavy undercoats. While this type of rake will remove mats, we’ve found it not as effective as a mat comb.
Built for dogs that shed, the deshedding tool acts like a stripping knife to pick up and pull out dead hairs, leaving a low-shedding topcoat behind. This tool mimics a groomer’s clippers when they were not turned on but used to gently rake through a dog’s coat.
There are many sizes to choose from when picking a deshedding tool. Please feel free to contact us with questions so we can ensure you have the right size to make the grooming experience more productive and more pleasant for your dog.
Here’s what we typically recommend to help you find the right brush for these common canine hair types.
This group’s breed includes Boston Terriers, Boxers, Bulldogs, Corgis, Dobermans, and Great Danes. Use a bristle brush to distribute the dog’s natural oils for a shinier and healthier coat. A slicker brush can also be used to remove any dead hair.
Breeds in this group include Airedales, various Terriers, and Schnauzers. We recommend weekly brushing with a slicker brush or pin brush.
Breeds in this group include Bichon Frise, Poodles, and most of the Doodle varieties. Weekly grooming with a slicker or pin brush will help keep your dog’s permanent perm fashionable.
This group’s breed includes Afghan Hounds, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, Maltese, and Yorkshire Terriers. We encourage DAILY grooming for these breeds using a pin brush to keep those silky locks under control.
These breeds include Border Collies, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, and St. Bernards. A double coat has two layers that grow independently and are often of different lengths. The outer coat is coarse, and the undercoat is soft and dense. We find that a rake brush, matched to your dog’s coat length, helps pull out loose undercoat fur.
Taking care of your dog’s coat is a vital part of grooming. As you’ve just seen, many types of dog brushes are available to handle everything from basic coat care to removing the thickest hair mats.
Having the right kind of grooming brushes on hand will make the experience easier and create a stronger bond between you and your dog.
Let’s be honest. We’re all dog lovers here. We often appreciate their snuggles after a long day. But, have you ever cuddled up next to your dog and noticed a distinct smell coming from their feet? This is commonly known as “frito feet.” This smell, which usually occurs within the ears or feet, is usually related to yeast overgrowth.
Yeast is a naturally occurring fungus that is found in both humans and dogs. However, if there is an abundance of it, it can cause issues and discomfort. Yeast thrives in moist, warm environments, which is why it is noticed in our pet’s feet and ears. An overgrowth of yeast may be caused by a multitude of factors—usually environmental or diet related. However, yeast is often fueled by the ingredients we feed our dogs. This is why it is important to ensure you are building a healthy pup from the inside out.If you believe your pet may have yeast overgrowth, a diet change may be exactly what they need to feel better. Adding fresh foods to their diet can promote a healthy gut and help the immune system resolve the yeast overgrowth and prevent further issues. Supplements like probiotics and digestive enzymes can also be added to help aid the process. Our staff at NorthPoint can help you make healthy decisions for your pet’s diet.
Reason 1: A Yeast Infection
Yeast overgrowth is a widespread cause of smelly dogs. Yeast has a very distinct musty, pungent odor, often compared to moldy bread or cheese popcorn. Yeast infections most commonly occur in the ear canals or on dogs’ paws. Some people call a yeast infection on their dog’s paws “Frito feet” because the smell is similar to corn chips. Signs of yeast overgrowth include stinky paws, a musty smell, excessive scratching, itchy paws, and butt scooting.
If your dog has a yeast infection, it’s important to assess your dog’s diet. Ultra-processed, starch-heavy foods (like dry kibble) feed bad bacteria, letting kibble thrive in your pet’s body. Topical remedies – such as medicated shampoos and sprays – can alleviate some symptoms, but the yeast will likely return without a diet change.Reason 2: Gas Attacks
All dogs pass gas, but if their gas is excessive or putrid, there might be more to the story. Getting your dog’s gas under control isn’t always as simple as keeping them out of the trash. An unhealthy diet could be the cause of your dog’s stinky gas. We can help you find the best diet for your dog’s health.
Reason 3: Bad Breath
Puppy breath can be cute, but bad breath can be pungent. Bad breath is typically the result of a build-up of bacteria in your pup’s mouth. In addition, poor dental health, tartar build-up, infections, or periodontal disease can cause bad breath.
Dog owners often find keeping up with their dog’s dental health a hassle. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. Check out our blog post on different ways to keep your dog’s dental hygiene in check. Reason 4: Anal Glands
Dealing with stinky anal glands isn’t for the faint of heart. Anal glands are located on the sides of a dog’s rectum. Normal, healthy anal glands should not emit odor, but if you notice a fishy smell, your dog, like many, might have problems with its anal glands. If anal glands aren’t secreting naturally, you may notice leaking, a pungent odor, butt scooting, or your dog in pain. Smelly anal glands could be a sign your dog needs to have them expressed, which will require a visit to your vet.
Reason 5: Lack of Grooming
Consistently brushing your dog between baths gets rid of dirt, dead skin, and anything caught in their hair helps decrease unpleasant smells between baths. A thorough brushing will go a long way in keeping your dog stink-free.
Grooming wipes and deodorizing sprays can also help your pet to smell fresh in between baths. Another simple trick to keeping your dog clean is to keep their bedding and toys clean. It keeps both your dog and house smelling fresh.
If you ask any NPP team member what they add to their pet’s bowl, you’ll undoubtedly get the same answer: bone broth. We’ve seen first hand how well bone broth can improve health from the inside out, so we swear by it! This nutritional treat is packed with vitamins and minerals to boost your pet’s overall health and wellness. Our pets experience inflammation and metabolic stress just like we do. Feeding your pet a mineral-rich stock like bone broth can improve inflammation, promote a healthy gut, and improve their overall health. 1. Improved Hydration
Bone broth is a great way to add additional hydration to your pet’s diet. You can easily add this to their food as a topper. Feeding dry kibble without added moisture can often lead to chronic dehydration as the body pulls moisture from surrounding organs to break down the food. If you feed kibble (dry food), this can significantly help keep them stay hydrated, ease digestion, and maximize nutrient absorption. 2. Joint Health
Glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid are nutrients packed into bone broth to help promote collagen growth. Collagen is essential because it cushions the bones, ligaments, and tendons, which means it is crucial for joint health. Just like in humans, collagen naturally deteriorates as your pet ages. Without it, the bones have nothing between them to ease movement, leading to pain and limited mobility. Therefore, adding bone broth to the bowl diet is an easy way to keep joints healthy. 3. Liver Detox
Glycine, a vital amino acid, aids the liver in filtering toxins from your dog’s body. Bone broth’s high glycine levels support the liver’s most important function of filtering toxins from your dog’s body to detoxify its system. 4. Healthy Skin and Coat
A healthy coat and skin are essential components of overall health. Vitamins B and C promote collagen formation and cell proliferation, yielding a thick healthy coat. In addition to a healthier, softer coat, this can also help to alleviate common problems with dry, itchy skin and excessive shedding. 5. Better Digestion and Nutrient Absorption
Bone broth promotes overall gut health from glycine which helps to repair the intestinal wall and seal the gut lining. You may have heard of ‘leaky gut’, a condition in which undigested food particles can escape through an unhealthy gut – leading to a myriad of symptoms. Bone broth helps to seal this lining to prevent poor digestion. A healthy gut means better nutrient absorption, a more robust gut microbiome, and a stronger immune system. Try serving your pet bone broth one of these ways:
FAQ: Is Bone Broth the same as soup broth or stock?
In short, no. Avoid feeding your dog the broth you find on the shelves of the grocery store. Typically, the soup broth or stock we use in our own cooking is loaded with excess sodium, added flavors and ingredients that aren’t great for our pets. Instead, you can make your own bone broth at home or buy broth specifically made for pets.
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We recommend a variety of supplements for varying reasons, however the most common reason is to improve upon a kibble. For example, we may add moisture to aid in digestion and to reduce inflammation. Or, we may add omega 3’s to improve skin and coat health. Here are some of our favorite tips for improving the health of your pet on dry food:
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