Healthy and happy for life: the importance of grooming and veterinary care for your dog

PetSmart -

Beauty is more than fur deep
Grooming goes far beyond a great hairdo, it's essential for your dog's health. Clipping his nails, brushing his teeth and keeping his coat clean and mat-free help prevent health issues and detect problems, like gum disease or parasites, that might otherwise go unnoticed.

If you're a hands-on Pet Parent when it comes to grooming, make sure you have the right tools to do the job. A PetSmart PetStylist can help you select the right brushes for your dog's fur, show you how to clip his nails and maintain that toothy smile. The proper shampoo is important, too. Since your dog's skin has a different pH balance than yours, your shampoo won't do. You'll find that a regular grooming routine is a good way to practice preventive care and makes for a clean, attractive pet.

Professional helping hands
Clipping and primping a restless dog is not for everyone. Even if you're comfortable grooming your pet, you should still let a professional lend an expert hand every 6-8 weeks. PetSmart Petstylists make sure your dog is healthy and handsome, head to tail. Before grooming, we check his skin, coat, nails, ears, teeth and eyes for overall condition, alerting you to any possible health issues. In addition to haircuts, brushing, bathing and nail trimming, we provide essential oral health care and ear cleaning.

You'll love PetSmart Pet Grooming

• All PetStylists pass our Salon Certification Program
• Our safety standards are unparalleled in the industry
• We have convenient, extended hours seven days a week
• our PetStylists are passionate Pet Parents like you

Because grooming is so important for your pet, all PetSmart stores have Grooming Salons. Visit grooming.petsmart.com for more information.

Vital veterinary care
Along with proper feeding, exercise and grooming, preventive veterinary care plays a crucial role in assuring your pet lives a healthy, happy life. To get in the health habit right from the start, choose a vet early on for your puppy or dog. They'll help you set up and follow a preventive health schedule.

Banfield, The Pet Hospital®
To make it easy for your to prioritize your new pet's health, we chose Banfield, The Pet Hospital to be our trusted veterinary partner. As Pet Parents ourselves, we appreciate that the exceptionally knowledgeable and caring vets at Banfield have been delivering human-quality care to pet families since 1955. You'll find a Banfield veterinarian on site in over 675 PetSmart stores. Visit banfield.net or call 1-800-768-8858 for the location nearest you.

Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans®
Think about regular care we receive throughout our lifetime from pediatricians, dentists, physicians, and so on. Now consider that dogs age an average of seven years for every one of ours, and it's clear why regular care is so important. We recommend that your pet receive a comprehensive physical exam every six months to let you know if your dog needs deworming, grooming, dental care, a change in diet, and special testing or care.

Banfield also offers preventive care services through its wellness plans. Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans are discounted packages of quality veterinary services and include the preventive care recommended each year. Enroll your dog in an Optimum Wellness Plan and you can bring him in free of charge any time you have a health concern, or just for his twice-yearly exam.

Vaccinations mean protection
Vaccinations protect your dog from a host of viral and bacterial predators, including parvovirus, coronavirus, leptospirosis, enovirus, parainfluenza virus, and distemper. Just like a child, your puppy needs to be protected at an early age and given boosters as an adult. More information about recommended vaccinations can be found in Banfield's "Congratulations on Adopting Your New Pet!" brochure, or ask a caring Banfield medical team member.

Three reasons to spay or neuter
Spaying or neutering helps your dog live a longer, healthier life by reducing the chances for cancer or infections. And it means a better-behaved pet for you. Plus, it's the surest way to reduce pet overpopulation.

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