Every dog needs regular grooming, whether they are a devoted groomer or love to roll around in mud. How to do the basics yourself!
It can be not very safe to groom your pet! It can be challenging to know where to start, between your dog’s tendency to run away every time the bath runs and the wide variety of brushes at the pet shop. Please continue reading to find out what essential grooming products you should keep on hand and how to use them to keep your dog looking great!
You can also find out more about Fur.
Equipment
- Rubber brush for dogs that have short, smooth hair
- Slicker brushes for dogs with long or texture Fur
- All dogs can use bristle brushes.
- It is essential to use a dog shampoo specifically designed for dogs. Their skin pH is different from that of humans. Therefore, their shampoo formulas are different.
- Use a non-slip mat, towel, or mat to protect the bottom of your bathtub.
- Absorbent Towels
- Dog grooming scissors (Look for round-tipped scissors to ensure safety when working with wiggly animals. Some groomers use curved blades to create rounded cuts.
Brushing
Brushing and combing your dog regularly is essential to remove tangles and mats. It also helps shed dead skin and hair and distribute natural oils through the Fur.
If your dog has a shorter, tangle-free fur, you should brush him at least once weekly. You can groom them more often to reduce shedding or remove dirt. Begin with a rubber comb to loosen the shedding hair, and finish with a bristle comb to sweep away any shed hair.
Grooming dogs with long, tangle-prone Fur is essential to maintaining that beautiful Fur. Begin by detangling their Fur with a slicker comb. Then, finish with a bristle comb to remove loose hair and make your dog’s coat look luxurious.
Bathing
Dogs can be bathed as often as they want, depending on how much they roll in the mud. Even the cleanest dogs need to be washed periodically to keep them fresh.
You can wash them with a hose in the bathtub, shower, or outside. Ensure you are prepared to get soaked, as they will inevitably splash water everywhere. They may be ready to bathe if you’ve bribed them with bathtub peanut butter. Wet their Fur with warm water (not hot), then give it a good scrubbing with dog shampoo.
Massage the shampoo into each area for 3 to 5 minutes to get it done. Use a cotton ball or washcloth to clean around the eyes and ears.
After you’ve finished scrubbing, it’s now time to rinse. Rinse the dog thoroughly in warm water and agitate the Fur to remove all shampoo. Experts suggest rinsing the dog thoroughly twice to avoid any irritation caused by lingering shampoo. If desired, you can use a dog conditioner that is either rinse-off or left-in.
It would help if you used an absorbent towel to soak up the water. You can also lay out extra towels for your dog’s use to dry off. To finish drying, you can use an excellent or low-temperature hairdryer. However, most dogs can air dry in a warm area.
Trimming
A little trim can be beneficial for some dogs with long hair. It’s unnecessary to give your dog the full poodle haircut (and in fact, it is recommended that you only use clippers or razors on your pet if you are an expert), but there are certain areas to pay attention to.
If your dog tries to flail or yank their foot away, get an assistant to distract them with their favorite treats. Get an assistant to distract your dog with their favorite treats if they try to flail or pull their foot away.
A small amount of trimming will make a massive difference in your dog’s life quality. Before you begin:
- Make sure your dog is relaxed and comfortable.
- Take small, precise snips with them held still.
- Take your time and take frequent breaks.
You can also leave the job to professionals if you need more confidence. We understand the struggle of wiggly dog owners.
Moisturizing
Moisturizing is not necessary for most dogs, as their natural oils will keep them soft. However, it may be helpful in some instances. You may wash your dog often (dirt is inevitable); they could use extra moisture to replace their natural oils. Dry climates, intense winters, and hot, dry climates can all dry the skin. Some dogs are also naturally dry.
After your dog has bathed, use a doggy conditioner or massage a small amount of coconut oil into their skin and hair. The pet-safe coconut oil will make your dog’s skin and Fur extra smooth and shiny, even if it licks some of it off. Coconut oil is not recommended for dogs who are known to be sensitive.
Nails
Equipment
- Use only dog nail clippers. Human nail clippers can damage and crack the nail if used on a dog with a rounded pin.
- Styptic powder
- Electric nail file made for dogs
- Dog scratchboard
Trimming & Filing
Nail trimming is one of the more intimidating aspects of pet grooming. This can be due to stubborn dogs or the wrong cut that could cause your dog to bleed. There are some ways to make nail trimming easier.
You’ll need to slowly calm your dog down (and distract him with treats) and trim his nails. If your dog is too wiggly to allow you to do a confident and careful cut, don’t attempt to trim their nails.
You may see the fleshy, pink “quick” within the nail if your dog’s nails are light in color. It would help to always cut below the “quick” and never too close to avoid a painful injury. If you cannot see the quickness in your dog’s nails, make minor, gradual cuts until you reach the desired length.
If you want to know how long your nails should be, get them professionally groomed and then use the length of the pins that the groomer has cut as a benchmark. You can also listen to their nails tapping on the floor when they walk. If you can’t hear the nails clicking against the kitchen tiles, their claws are not too long.
You may cause your dog to bleed if you accidentally cut close to the vein. To stop bleeding, keep the styptic on hand. Apply gentle pressure on the powdered toenail for a few moments until the bleeding stops. You should take your dog for professional help if it continues to bleed.
It’s essential to be prepared for accidents and ensure you are ready to help your dog feel better.
Filing the nails is preferred by some dogs and their owners. Filing is more time-consuming and requires frequent maintenance to keep the pins at the desired length. However, it’s an excellent option for people and pets who dislike nail clippers.
Some dogs dislike the sound of an electric file, so you can use it to grind one nail at a time. You can train your dog to wear down the long claws with a sandpaper-covered scratchboard.
Ears
Equipment
- Canine ear cleaning solution
- Cotton balls
- Towel
Cleaning
Some dogs, like some people, are more prone to waxy ears than others. You’ll unlikely ever have to clean your dog’s ears, but it’s essential to check them regularly.
When you brush or bathe your dog, look into their ears to see if there is any dirt or buildup of earwax. Itchy ears can also indicate that your dog’s ears need a good cleaning. Contact your veterinarian if you notice redness, irritation, or an odor.
When cleaning your dog’s ear, ensure they are calm and still. Lift the ear when relaxed and carefully fill the ear canal with a cleaning solution. There’s plenty of space in the ear canal!
Please continue to hold their ear out the way as you gently massage the base for 30 seconds. This will work the solution into all the canal’s nooks, crannies, and crevices. You can either press a towel against their ear and tip their head sideways to drain the solution or let them shake the liquid out while you try to catch it.