Pet Grooming Tips: Part II

This post is a continuation of my last pet grooming tips post. In this post I’ll explore more pet grooming tips and give you some helpful hints to make the experience more pleasant for both you and your pet.

-Groom early, groom often! One of the best pet grooming tips I can offer is to begin grooming your pet at an early age. I realize that puppies coats do not typically require much maintenance. The idea here is to get your pet acclimated to the sensation of being groomed early in life. This will make the process go much smoother later. Of course, it’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, but this is one of the pet grooming tips that’s most frequently overlooked. Consistency is key here!

-Another frequently forgotten pet grooming tip is this- check your dog’s ears at least twice a month! The inside of the ear should appear a light, fleshy pink color. Any excessive redness, waxy buildup, or dark spots can be a sign of serious trouble, and if your pet experiences any of these symptoms, immediately consult your veterinarian. Clean the inside flap of the ear with a cotton ball and some warm water or some mineral oil. Do NOT use a q-tip to do this- going into your dog’s ear canal can easily damage fragile parts of the ear, which, once damaged are very difficult to repair.

-When giving your dog a bath, it is sometimes preferable to use a diluted pet shampoo solution rather than full strength. If any soap is left on the dog after its bath, it can lead to “hot-spots”, areas of redness and irritation on the skin which can be difficult to eliminate after they’ve arisen. It is much better (and equally effective in terms of cleaning) to wash in two cycles which rinse completely than in one wash which leaves residue behind!

-Cats don’t require as much grooming as dog’s do, they tend to take care of most of that on their own. But there are still a few pet grooming tips that can help your kitty! Brushing your cat often will help to prevent hairballs, and keep your cat cooler in the summertime. While dogs can handle being brushed against the grain of the fur, always make sure to brush your cat with the grain of their fur, to avoid pain or irritation. Use a softer brush than you would for your dog- your cat will appreciate it! With cats, the best pet grooming tips are just to help them do what they do naturally.

-The most important pet grooming tip I can give is to be consistent when it comes to grooming your pet. It is much better for your dog’s health and ultimately much easier on you as a pet owner if you spent 10 minutes each day and really examine the condition of your pet. This type of preventative medicine will preclude many serious issues from arising. Thanks for reading my pet grooming tips post, on my pet supplies blog!