When it comes to quick grooming for your pets (because who wants to work during the festive season!) there are a lot of shortcuts you can take when the groomer is away! Plus, it’s not something you have to do on your own! Grab your family and get busy as a unit while you keep your dog happy, healthy, and comfy during the holidays with these tips!
Quick grooming tips for families with dogs
Have a quick workout before the session starts
We’re not referring to you or the kids. You’ll burn enough calories while you’re busy with pet 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 up the paw area
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. NOTE: This is NOT a task for kids. They can watch you do it, but we all know what happens when kids play with scissors.
Brush before you 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. Again, never let the kids do the snipping. Unless you’d like your dog to look like a chop shop product.
Don’t use your Tresseme for Tootsie’s fur!
This one pretty much goes without saying. Still, it’s super essential only to use products specially formulated for dog grooming when doing 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.
Use some Perfume de Pooch if the need calls for it!
There are so many excellent pet products out there that can help your dog smell 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
Pet 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. By showing your kids the ropes, you’re equipping them with the skills to master this art. 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.
