Dog grooming is indeed an expensive affair. Many dog owners are dreaded going to a groomer and getting it done by investing hefty fees. In some cases, it is also seen that dogs are also not big fans of the grooming sessions.
If you are looking forward to learning grooming skills, this post will certainly impart wisdom. Even pet experts have stated innumerable times that grooming your dog is quite simple and affordable than going for recurring trips to the groomer.
The best thing about grooming your dog yourself is creating a one-on-one bonding experience between you and your pet. So, without doing any further lolly gagging, let’s begin.
Get All Your Grooming Supplies
Make sure to get all the grooming essentials in one easily accessible place before starting the grooming session. This will certainly reduce the time you need and will also make your dog calm.
In order to have complete grooming, you need to have a brush, combo, pet shampoo, conditioners, towels, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairdryer, pet nail clippers, cotton swabs, ear solution, styptic powder, etc. If your dog has matted fur, you need a detangling solution and a matt rake.
Ear Cleansing
Similar to humans, wax and dirt also get accumulated in the dog’s ear too. Use a clean damp cloth, wipe the folds and then flaps of the ear. You can also use cotton swabs and ear solutions to clean the ears.
Cleaning of the ears should be done every four months, and if your dog produces a lot of wax while swimming, then it is cleaned every two weeks. Never use a human style of Q-tips cotton swabs to clean the dog’s ear at home. Doing so can damage the eardrums of the dog.
Check the Dog’s Skin
Allergic skin diseases are very common in dogs. They are one of the biggest reasons that cause itchiness and make them scratch, lick or chew their skin. Along with that, external parasites such as mites, fleas, lice or ticks can transfer some deadly diseases – all these make the life of your dog even more miserable.
Though you can restrict the movement of the dog by installing an invisible dog fence in your garden or lawn area, you will certainly don’t want to compromise on the safety of your pet. And thus, you need to look for the pet’s outer coat after every outdoor activity session.
Clip Off Dog’s Nails
Another crucial part of grooming your dog is to check the claws at regular intervals of time. Experts dealing with pet health have stated that dog owners should cut the nails every three- to six weeks based on the growth of the nails.
The best time to see the growth of the nails is to see when they stand straight. If the nails are touching the floor, it’s time to cut them off. Never leave the nails to start curling into the paw pad of the dogs. This could be dangerous for your pet.
Keep Some Areas Trimmed
If you want to extend the life of the existing cut, make sure to opt for dry-trimming of the most important areas. It could be the ears, face, and hygienic areas, and they should be maintained properly.
Keeping short hairs and cleaning them at regular intervals will help you prevent the chances of infection and foul smell. The best thing is that you don’t need to have specialized grooming scissors. All you need is to have good craft scissors –make sure that they are sharp enough and are brand new.
Bathing With Shampooing and Rinsing
Pet care experts suggest using shampoos too frequently for pets. Bathing every four-six weeks is enough for you. But if your dog shows more signs of dehydration because of being extremely hot, you can reduce the frequency during summertime. For bathing purposes, you can make use of a portable outdoor tub or can also use the sink if you have smaller breeds.
The process starts with wetting it thoroughly, then lathering the fur from head to tail –make sure you are only using specialized shampoos for the dogs. Then with the use of a handheld shower with a large cup, rinse the whole body. Be careful of the water getting into the ears.
Grooming your pet is very special and more like taking care of your own baby. Following the tips discussed above will help you get the best results and make your dog feel good and fresh. Please share your insights on how you groom your dog at home and what precautions you follow below in the comment section.