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Here Are the Risks of Your Dog Getting a Hairball

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Hairballs are often thought of as exclusively a problem among cats. Since cats groom themselves regularly, they end up swallowing hair and developing hairballs as a result. However, dogs are not immune to this condition. If your dog has one of these problems, they may be at risk for developing a hairball, or worse, gastrointestinal blockages. Here's what you need to know about dogs with a higher risk of hairballs.

Fleas

If a dog has a problem that makes them chronically itch or that irritates their skin, they're more likely to chew, bite, and lick at their fur in order to try and relieve themselves. One of the most common issues leading to this is when a dog has fleas.

Fleas are irritating because they bite, but also because they can leave behind flea dirt that can make a dog's skin itchy and miserable. Getting rid of the fleas often helps to alleviate a dog's chewing and licking behaviors.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a condition that only some dogs suffer from. It's chronic irritation and inflammation of the skin, either due to an internal condition or an external one.

One example of short-term dermatitis is flea dermatitis. Dogs can have allergic reactions to fleas and develop this skin condition as a result. Thankfully, in flea dermatitis, getting rid of the fleas usually causes the dermatitis to recede. However, that's not always the case with the different forms of dermatitis. If your groomer notices that your dog has a skin condition, consult them or a veterinarian.

Bath

Finally, dogs that aren't getting bathed often enough may be more likely to try and tend to their coats on their own.

Not all dogs need bathing on a regular basis; it really depends upon your dog's breed, their fur length, and the conditions that they're regularly exposed to. If your dog loves rolling around in the dirt or regularly romps through overgrown weedy conditions, they likely need a bath more often than not.

If you can't bathe your dog often enough seek help from a dog grooming service. They can take this often difficult task off your hands and help to relieve your pet's itching, which should help curb the risk of hairballs.

A regular grooming session for your dog can spot or eliminate all of these problems. Set up a regular grooming schedule and never worry about hairballs with your dog ever again.


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