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.

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How to tackle pet messes fast

Dirty cages

Hamsters, rabbits, and other small animals are notorious mess makers and cause more pet messes than any other pets. But a daily wipe-down with a damp paper towel is all that’s needed to keep the problem at bay. Just be sure to dry any moisture in the cage, as a damp cage can be a mould breeding ground. Once a week, mix a little dish soap with warm water and scrub the surface of the cage with a nylon-bristle brush. Allow to dry in the sun for at least an hour before putting hamster back in his home again.

Stinky pet beds

You can keep the dog smell at bay by bathing your pet at least once a month. The same goes for your dog’s bed. This is much easier if you have a machine-washable shell and cushion for your pet’s bed. To get started, vacuum the shell to get rid of the excess fur. Clean the shell and cushion with laundry detergent and add some odour eliminator.

Nasty litter box

Keeping the cat’s litter box clean is cringe-worthy but very necessary. Even the smallest traces of pet waste can be a breeding ground for viruses, bacteria and parasites. Not even mentioning the odours! To keep the litter box fresh. Scoop out any clumps at least once a day. Once a month, the litter box needs a deep clean with hot soapy water and a nylon-bristle brush.

Fur-covered furniture

Your best friend here is a rubber squeegee, which will get the floor coverings clean. When it comes to upholstered furniture, opt for a damp rubber glove. Rub the glove over the couch to push the hairs into easily disposable piles. To keep this problem at bay, brush your cats and dogs once a week if they have short hair and twice a week if they have longer coats.

Stained carpets

Mud is easy to remove if you let it dry out first. As soon as it’s dry, brush off or vacuum up as much as possible before treating the stain with some laundry detergent, blotting it with a damp paper towel. To get rid of fresh urine, lay some paper towel over the spot and press down to let it soak up the liquid. Then use a cotton cloth to apply a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Blot with a paper towel and then repeat until no smell or colour is present anymore.

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Does my rabbit need a bath?

Rabbits – like most other rodents and cats – are very meticulous when it comes to personal hygiene, and in general, you don’t need to bath them as part of their routine grooming. They groom themselves daily, so there’s no need to traumatise your bunny with a bath. At times (like when they have poopy butts), a shallow bath may be necessary.

How often do I need to groom my rabbit?

Depending on your rabbit’s coat, you might have to brush them weekly or a couple of times a week. Short-haired rabbits need to be brushed at least twice a week while long-haired rabbits need daily TLC. If your rabbit sheds a lot, more frequent rabbit grooming might be in order.

What’s the best way to tackle rabbit grooming?

To start off, place your fluff ball on a towel and check them from head to toe. Check for anything out of the ordinary and pay special attention to the underside of the body. If everything looks normal, grab your brush, and use gentle strokes along the direction of hair growth. Remember that your rabbit has exceptionally delicate skin, so don’t overdo it.

Wide-toothed combs work well to gently tease out matted fur, but it’s always best to use a soft-bristled brush specially designed for rabbits. Furminators are great for rabbits that shed a lot, although some rabbits prefer being groomed with a grooming glove instead of a brush.

A note on the nails

If your rabbit’s nails are getting long, you can clip them with nail clippers. This isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone, so if the idea freaks you out, just ask your vet for some assistance. If you plan on clipping your rabbit’s nails at home and accidentally nick them, don’t panic. Just use some flour or styptic powder to stop the bleeding.

Don’t skip the scent glands

Rabbits have scent glands around their anus and under their chin (which is how they mark their people and territory when they chin things). When the scent glands build-up, it can leave your bunny smelling a little funky. To clean the scent glands, just dip an earbud in some warm water and carefully swab away any buildup.

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What is Eau de Pooch?

Hannelie Laubscher, founder and creator of the range has a deep passion for natural essential oils and plant-based raw materials. Her passion soon saw her experimenting with body products, natural remedies, and a host of other natural products. She’s also an animal lover of note. And when her love for natural extracts and animals came together, something magical happened.

With the help of a likeminded Biochemist and a lab, Eau de Pooch was born with the focus of enhancing natural elegance, healthy cleanliness, and pooch glamour.

All products in the range are made from plant-based raw materials and are free from chemicals and dyes. The products are hypo-allergenic, non-corrosive, pH neutral and safe for use around infants.

A luxurious option for pampering your dog

The entire product line from Eau de Pooch is themed in a royal-inspired black and gold theme. It immediately gives you the impression that you’re investing in the best for your dog. You can choose between a masculine or feminine perfume or opt for their natural room & linen atomizer, all three of which target and combat that doggy smell that can sometimes linger in the air.

The perfumes not only eliminate dodgy smells, but they also nourish and moisturize the coat, so it’s an all-in-one solution. The brand also stocks a luxurious nose and paw butter. This helps soften up areas on your dog’s body that are prone to develop calluses.

We love the great scent that the perfumes give off. We reckon they’re great to use between baths to help keep your pet smelling fresh.

Investing in luxury also means you’re helping animals in need

Eau de Pooch isn’t only made with love, they also give back to those who need it most. A percentage from each sale goes to two very special charities. One of those charities is Medic Alert Dogs SA, who is focused on placing service dogs with underprivileged, disabled, diseased individuals and veterans that need assistance.

The other charity that the brand supports is TEARS Animal Rescue that specialises in assisting, rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals throughout the country.

Final Thoughts

These luxury products are a welcome change to the sometimes bland grooming products landscape. Their products don’t only look great, they work great as well. If your dog considers your bed to be his own, their linen spray is something that will change your life for good!

To get your hands on their products, you can visit one of their stockists (like @Frits Pet Hotel) or simply stock up by visiting their online store!

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