Grooming Your Dog at Home:
A Beginner's Guide
there are many benefits That come with grooming your dog or cat at home.
It allows you to bond and helps them become comfortable with being handled.
"Grooming your pet also gives you the chance to check for burrs, lesions, lumps or signs of skin issues," says a behaviour veterinarian While some treatments are best left to the professionals, here are some to try at home.
Grooming Your Dog at Home:
A Beginner's Guide
Better brushing
As well as being a good way to give your pet some TLC, regular brushing helps to keep their coat in good condition, prevent knots and get rid of dander. How often you brush them all depends on the breed.
Professional groomer and former vet nurse, Sherri Seery from Gladstone in Queensland, suggests brushing dogs with long hair or a double coat three to four times per week.
"For short-hair dog breeds and cats, brush their coat once or twice each week," she says.
When brushing, always follow the direction the hair grows - never brush in the opposite direction.
Use a firm pressure that allows you to reach the undercoat and remove dander, but avoid being rough or pulling at the hairs with the brush
Washing your pet
Whether you use the laundry tub, the bath, or even a hose, make sure your dog feels safe during their bath. "Use the right water temperature and choose pet-friendly products," says Sherri.
If your dog is nervous about bath time, using lukewarm water can help to relax them - and a massage can make it a pleasant experience.
Wet your dog first (avoid the face), then apply shampoo, massaging it into their coat.
Shampoo and rinse twice if needed, before finishing with conditioner. Be sure to rinse all products from your dog's fur.
"Then just dry them with a towel straight after," Sherri adds. Because cats are fastidious
'self-cleaners', Sherri says you don't need to wash them at all, unless your vet recommends it.
Giving fleas the flick
Preventing fleas can be as simple as using an all-in-one treatment
- look for a treatment that protects against ticks and worms, too.
"How often you treat to prevent fleas will depend on the product, If your cat or dog has fleas, treat them immediately with a product that contains an
'adulticide' to kill adult fleas."
Trimming nails and claws
Just like our nails, your pets' claws grow constantly. "For dogs and indoor cats, trim nails every six to eight weeks," Sherri suggests.
Be careful to avoid the quick - the vein in the centre of the nails. If your pet has clear nails, you'll be able to see this pink vein easily.
If the nails are black, shave little bits of the nail away and stop if you see a pink or grey section of the nail.
