Good Dog Grooming Tips
Dogs aren’t too finicky or delicate to care for. Except for the occasional hairball, dogs are generally low-maintenance pets. But good care doesn’t just mean providing food and a decent home, or playing with them when you have the time. It goes beyond the regular bath and brushing.
Grooming your pet can be an excellent way to bond with him. If you don’t have the time, however, consider a visit to the grooming center. Despite the cash outlay, it becomes worth the trip when you consider efficient service and guaranteed outcome.
A growing number of pet grooming centers have sprouted all over the city. Some offer dog training services or sell pet supplies. Others are expanded veterinary clinics where your pet gets the added bonus of a physical check-up before grooming. Managed by licensed veterinarians, these centers can give your pet the grooming he deserves.
Grooming entails a haircut, cleaning of ears, paws, belly (where hair usually gets tanged) and area of the anus, clipping of anus, a bath and a blow-dry. Fees depend on the number of services. You have the option of choosing which cut best suites your pet. Have the vet suggest typical cuts for his breed. Some owners bring pets for a trim every three to four weeks. Smaller dogs require 10 to 15 minutes of a trim; more elaborate hairdos take up an hour.
Set an appointment with the vet. Have him explain exactly what procedures will be done. Ask as many questions as necessary to allay your concerns. This is essential because you will normally be asked to leave your pet for two to three hours before pick up. Owners may opt to stay and watch, but pets tend to be better behaved and easier to handle when left with unfamiliar people. But gauge your pet’s personality. A skittish pet won’t like being handled.
Grooming can begin when your pet is as young as three months. The younger he starts, the better he gets used to the routine. Some dogs never really get the hang of it, so their combs are injected with a mild sedative to make them sleep during grooming sessions. But most dogs are adaptable and after a few visits, will treat the vet as routine.
In between grooming sessions, brush your pet’s hair as often as possible. Long-haired dogs like spaniels and poodles should be combed daily to lessen tangles and matted hair, short-haired dogs like German shepherds and labradors need combing to remove dead hair and arrest the tail of dog hair in the household. Constant brushing also improves circulation.
Should you undertake this on your own, make sure you have the proper equipment. You will need a slicker brush (to brush out matts and dead hair), a fine pet comb (to even out hair) and an electric clipper for cutting. It also helps to read up on proper grooming practices.
To clean the ears, use a skin and ear cleansing solution available at most pet stores. First, put the solution in your pet’s ears to let the solution settle in and loosen the dirt inside. This also helps get dirt out when your dog shakes his head and runs around. Afterwards, clean the ear area with a piece of cotton.
If you want to save money by not going to the vet, you can do at-home dog grooming which will cost virtually nothing! It is best to bathe dogs in bathtubs because of the easy access to water and shower. SimplyBathtubs offers affordable and high-class claw foot tub and whirlpool tubs that would be perfect not only for dog-grooming purposes, but for the whole family’s bath time. Bathtubs provide an elegant look in your household, not to mention its endless usability. It’s never too late to upgrade your house and give it some class.
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