Pit Bull Terriers don’t require very much grooming, and the majority of their coat problems stem from a poor diet. Producing a healthy, glossy coat starts from the inside. Every dog’s nutritional needs are slightly different, but coat dressing can never replace the natural shine that comes from good nutrition and good health.
No matter what the television commercial models with long, flowing tresses tell you, the ingredients you add externally to your dog’s hair will not change a brittle, lifeless coat into a soft, healthy coat. The truth is that if you want your American Pit Bull Terrier to have a healthy coat, you need to take a close look at your dog’s nutrition. Healthy hair and skin begins with good nutrition.A good premium dog food is the best place to start growing a healthy coat. Your Pit Bull’s diet is not the place to economize. Purchase the best food you can afford and resist the impulse to save money at your dog’s expense. Pit Bulls’ skin can be sensitive, so consult your veterinarian when choosing your dog’s food. Once you’ve established a good nutritional basis, you can move on to improving the coat from the outside. However, sometimes a dog, especially a playful Pit Bull Terrier, gets dirty and needs to be gussied up. Here’s how you do it.
GEAR UP
In order to keep a Pit Bull polished, a smart owner will need a few essential grooming tools:
- a pair of nail clippers
- styptic powder
- cotton balls
- ear powder or cleaner
- tearless pet shampoo
- a coat conditioner
- hydrogen peroxide or baby wipes
- a bristle brush or a slicker brush
Brushing Your Pit Bull Terrier
Regular brushing, at least once a week, also contributes to healthy skin. Using a natural ural bristle brush or a slicker brush, brush the entire coat at in firm, circular motions to loosen dead hair, stimulate the skin and increase the production of natural coat oils. At the end of every coat growth cycle, hair dies and leaves the coat looking dull and lifeless until dead hair is shed and new growth emerges. Frequent brushing speeds up the process and stimulates regrowth from each hair follicle.
American Pit Bull Terriers shed minimally year-round and may experience pronounced seasonal shedding in the spring and fall. Seasonal shedding is more evident in climates with definite seasons because light has a big effect on coat growth. The seasonal coat change is more pronounced in outdoor dogs. Indoor dogs tend to have more year-round shedding. Regular dog brushes really aren’t effective in either case because a pit bull’s coat is so short.
Ear Care
Whether your dog has cropped or natural ears, they should be checked frequently and cleaned at least once a week. Cropped ears permit better air circulation, but there is a bigger risk of water or debris getting into the ear canal. Ear infections can become serious before you notice anything is wrong.
Symptoms of an ear problem include sensitivity to touch, heavy buildup of wax and debris, inflammation, odor, head shaking and scratching, or head tilting. Bacterial, fungal or yeast infections may also require specific veterinary treatment.
Moisture is a major source of infection; you can put cotton in your dog’s ears before a bath to prevent water from
getting into the ear canals. Ears should always be swabbed and dried carefully after swimming or bathing.
The canine ear canal makes an abrupt turn near the jaw, creating an ideal setting for infections. Ear-cleaning solution not only helps flush out debris, it also alters the ear’s pH levels to discourage infection. Squirt enough ear-cleaning solution into your dog’s ear to fill the canal and gently massage the opening for a few seconds to loosen debris. Use a cotton ball to wipe away all visible moisture, earwax and dirt.
Show Grooming
If your American Pit Bull is destined for the show ring, you may opt for a few finishing touches. Every dog can benefit from a bit of detail work but minimal grooming is the rule to maintain the breed’s natural look. Your dog should be spotlessly clean, but the coat should feel smooth and stiff. Avoid shampoos that may soften the coat’s natural texture. Timing can also make a difference. Some coats look and feel their best two or three days after a bath.
Trimming should enhance your American Pit Bull Terrier’s smooth outline. Stray hairs can be removed from the outline of body, tip of tail and along the edges of cropped ears with thinning shears. Work slowly and stop frequently to evaluate the results. Don’t overdo it or leave tell-tale straight lines or scissor marks in the coat. Whisker trimming is optional.
Reward a Job Well Done
Rewarding your pet for behaving during grooming is the best way to ensure stress‑free grooming. Bathing energizes your pet, so using the time immediately after grooming to play is the best way to reward your Pit Bull for a job well done. Watching your clean, healthy American Pit Bull Terrier race from room to room out of sheer joy is your reward for being a smart owner!
