Tips to Groom Your Pet at Home

Groom your Pet like Pro. Here’s How

Grooming your pet is the most important part of owning a pet. While it's okay to send your pet to a professional pet groomer once in a while, you may find it financially impossible to do so regularly. Here are some basic tips that will help you groom your pet at home.

1.       Make your Pet Comfortable

The first step before you start grooming is to get your pet acquainted with the whole grooming process. Pets, in general, do not like to be groomed so you need to calm down your pet before you start any grooming. You can keep grooming session short initially and reward them with a treat once the grooming is over. Try to restrain them as little as possible and if they show signs of stress or discomfort then stop and try the next day. You can also try to groom them at the end of the day after taking them for a long walk.

2.       Invest in Good Quality Grooming Tools

If you regularly groom your pet at home then you should buy some good quality grooming tools. Grooming kits are available in the market that includes clippers, trimmers, nail clippers, brushes, combs and scissors which will make it easier for you to groom your pet at home.

3.       Use the Right Brush

Before you bath your dog, you need to brush its coat to free it from mats and tangles and also to remove dead hair. The frequency of brushing your dog depends on its coat type. If your dog has a thick and long fur then you have to brush it regularly and if it has a short coat then it needs to be brushed just once a month. Different types of brushes such as bristle brush for short coat dogs, pin brush for medium to long coat dogs are available, so make sure that you use the right brush for the right coat.

4.       Use Good Quality Shampoos and Conditioners

Regular shampoo and conditioners for humans may be toxic for your dog, so make sure that you use shampoos and conditioners for dogs while bathing your pet. Good quality shampoos and conditioners for dogs help in retaining the shine on your dog’s coats and also keeps their coats healthy. If your dog has sensitive skin or allergies then consult a vet before using any shampoos and conditioners.

5.       Superior Quality Clippers

Your dog’s fur needs to be trimmed depending on their breed or coat type. Some breeds with double coat need to be frequently trimmed as compared to dogs with short coats. Once you finish bathing your dog, make sure you dry it well using a dry towel or a blow dryer before you start trimming your dog’s fur. Make sure that you use superior quality clippers to trim your dog.

6.       Thorough Checkup of Eyes and Ears

You need to perform a complete checkup of your pets’ eyes to check for any inflammation. Ear infections are very common in dogs so make sure that you check your dog’s ears for any redness, inflammations, smell or discharge. In case you notice any of these, then you need to take your pet to the vet.

7.       Trim your Pets’ Paws

You need to trim the excess hair that grows around your pets’ paws otherwise, dirt and debris could get stuck inside the paw which will cause them pain and make it difficult for them to walk. Trimming your dog’s paws not only helps to improve their traction while walking but also makes it easier for you to clean their paw pad. Use special grooming scissors for this purpose and make sure that they are sharp because you want to cut it as swiftly as possible. However, try not to cut too close to the paw pad as it may hurt your dog.

8.       Clip the Nails

Grooming doesn’t end at just bathing and brushing. Your dog’s nails also need to be trimmed every three to four weeks as long nails might cause certain problems like difficulty in walking or running or can even hurt your dog. Start by gently holding your dog’s paw and slowly cutting the nail one at a time. Reward your pet with a treat after trimming each nail to encourage it to remain calm during the whole trimming process.  If you are apprehensive to use a nail clipper then you can also use a nail grinder. A nail grinder is a less stressful way to trim your dog’s nails as it gradually grinds the length of the nail.

9.       Brush their Teeth

Dental hygiene is one of the most important for your pets but is often neglected. Poor dental health can lead to other health problems for your pet so make sure that you brush your dog’s teeth at least once a week to maintain good oral hygiene. Toothpaste and toothbrushes specially designed for dogs are easily available in the market so use those and avoid using human toothpaste or toothbrushes as they could harm your dog.

10.   Use only Pet Specific Products

Pets have sensitive skin so make sure that you use only products that are specifically designed for pets. Avoid using products meant for humans on your pet as they may not suit your pets. For example, use shampoos for dogs while bathing your dog as human shampoos are harmful to them. Also, you shouldn’t use products meant for cats on your dog or vice versa.

So now that you are equipped with all the tips, you can easily groom your pet at home. Grooming your pet at home is beneficial to both you and your dog. It not only saves you expenses of visiting a professional pet groomer but also establishes a good bond between you and your pet.