Grooming
The Westie has a double coat, with a thick outer coat and a shorter, softer undercoat. Their thick hair may easily get matted and tangled if not brushed regularly, preferably several times weekly. To delicately comb or slicker brush your dog's coat, use a tool made specifically for canines. Locate trouble spots by examining the space behind the ears, behind the legs, and around the neck.
Every few weeks, or whenever necessary, give your Westie a bath. If they get too much bath time, it could dry up their skin and coat. To avoid skin irritation, wash your dog with a gentle shampoo and rinse well. Because Westies have a coat that naturally repels dirt, you shouldn't bathe them too often unless they become very filthy.
One common method for keeping a Westie's wiry coat texture is hand-stripping. To encourage the development of new hairs, hand-stripping entails manually plucking off dead hairs. A professional groomer can trim their coat on a regular basis if you aren't comfortable with this approach. This will ensure that their coat looks sleek and tidy.
The structure and hair development of a Westie's ears make them vulnerable to infections. Keep an eye out for redness, discharge, or an unpleasant scent in their ears.
To keep their ears clean and free of infection-causing wax, use an ear cleaner that your vet recommends.
To avoid pain and suffering caused by overgrowth, it is essential to trim nails regularly. Once every few weeks or as required, give your Westie a brief trim, taking careful not to cut too near to the quick, sensitive portion of the nail.
The general health of your Westie depends on regular dental checkups. Make sure to use a toothbrush and toothpaste that are safe for dogs on a regular basis. Another option for preventing tartar accumulation is to use dental chews or toys.
Even though there are a lot of grooming duties that you can do on your own, it's a good idea to take your Westie to a professional groomer once every few months for a more extensive coat maintenance, nail clipping, and ear cleaning.
