Tips from the Grooming Table

Proper grooming is very important to your pet’s health and good for you, too. Snuggling with a soft, clean, lovable animal is a great way to relax and unwind. Basic pet grooming includes brushing, bathing, clipping nails as well as eye, ear and regular teeth cleaning. Even if your pet is groomed professionally, you will still need to do some home maintenance between regular groomings. Here are some tips that can help:

Brush Regularly for a Healthy Coat    Regular brushing helps maintain a healthy, glowing coat and keeps your pet comfortable between professional grooming visits. Brushing eliminates mats and tangles, and removes dead hair, dirt, and burrs. It also distributes natural oils, helping to produce a healthy skin tone.

It is important to find the right grooming tool for the texture of your pet’s coat. If you brush every day with the wrong kind of brush, gobs of mats can build up in the hair near the skin. Go deep! After brushing, finish by combing through the hair around the ears, tail, and legs. If you don’t have time, a low-maintenance haircut can help reduce matting and tangling.

Scrub Those Teeth   As with humans, a pet’s teeth must be brushed regularly to avoid chronic tooth pain and periodontal disease. Tartar-encrusted teeth can cause gum infections that can spread throughout the body and cause heart failure. See your veterinarian at least once a year to check the health of teeth and gums. If you aren’t brushing your pet’s teeth regularly, ask your groomer to incorporate this service into your pet’s regular routine.

Touch the Toes   When nails grow so long that they touch the floor, it is time for a trim. Many dogs are nervous about having their feet handled, making nail trimming difficult. Touching and playing with your dog’s feet and toes every day can help and will increase your rapport with your pet at the same time, resulting in reduced stress levels during grooming.

Get on a Routine   Regular grooming is a necessity. Your lifestyle, budget, and pet’s temperament will determine what works best for you – do-it-yourself at home, a self-service dog wash, drop off at a grooming shop, or a mobile house call service. Regardless of who does the dirty work, get on a routine to keep your pet at his or her lovable best.