When it comes to keeping Fido clean and tidy, a lot of pet owners turn to their groomers to do the dirty work for them. But in-between parlour visits, you’ll need to deploy some basic dog grooming practices to keep your dog happy, healthy, and comfy. Here are a few tips that can make the process less painful for everyone involved!
Dog grooming 101
Do some exercise before the grooming session
We’re not referring to you because you’ll burn enough calories while you’re busy with dog grooming. If your doggie gets anxious or excited during grooming, it might help to let them burn off some energy ahead of time. Exercise will help keep them calm during bath time, especially if you own a younger dog.
Trim around the paws
If the fur around your dog’s paws is long around and between the pads, it’s time to trim things down a bit. This will ensure your dog has better traction when he or she is indoors and will also help keep excess dirt out of the house. It’s a win-win.
Brush before the wash
Combing or brushing your dog’s coat every second day usually helps to keep dreadlocks at bay, so make sure you do this regularly. Always start at the head and work your way through the tail. If you happen to notice some Rasta dreads on your pup that simply can’t be brushed out, it’s okay to grab the scissors and snip them off.
Never use human products on your dog
This one pretty much goes without saying, but it’s super essential only to use products specially formulated for dog grooming when doing the dirty work. Even though it looks gorgeous, your dog’s coat is NOT the same as human hair, and your products can be toxic to them.
Rinse and repeat
You need to get every last bit of shampoo or conditioner off when rinsing your dog. Double up the job just to be on the safe side and always use lukewarm water. Yes, it’s a tedious task, but it’s absolutely necessary because the leftover product can lead to weird skin irritations.
Deploy the perfume
There are so many excellent pet products out there that can help your dog smelling fresher for longer, even on those days where it’s simply too cold to give them a bath. Eau de Pooch is just one of the great options you can use to keep your dog smelling, well, a little less like a dog.
Final thoughts
Dog grooming isn’t something that comes as an optional extra to pet owners. It’s an essential task that has to be performed regularly to keep your dog as comfortable and healthy as possible. The tips we’ve shared here should help keep the panic down to a minimum while ensuring that your dog looks and smells as pleasant as possible when visiting the groomer simply isn’t an option.
