Pet Grooming Alpharetta

  Grooming is one of the essential things pet owners should learn how to do. Pet grooming is one of the best ways to keep them looking fantastic and healthy and can be a great bonding time for both of you. Getting your pet to be used to grooming can be a long, hard task so have patience and determination. If you’re a new pet owner, here are some do’s and don’ts when grooming your pet.

 

 Must Do’s when Grooming your Pets

 

  • Do Trim the Nails  

Their nails can wear down naturally from running, but trimming the nails of your dog can help avoid pain and discomfort due to splitting, cracking, or tearing if the nails are left too long, which may lead to serious infections. However, most dogs will dislike having their nails trimmed, so avoid scolding them because they may get anxious, so be patient.

 

Try to train them to be used to their paws being handled and touched while they are still puppies to make trimming their nails easier. Avoid trimming your dog’s nails too short as you can potentially hit a nerve, causing lots of pain for your pet. If you are having trouble trimming your dog’s nails or are hesitant, you can take them to a pet grooming professional to do it for you.

 

  • Do Brush Regularly 

Brushing your pet regularly can help avoid tangles and their coat from matting, especially if they have long hair. These can be very hard to remove and can cause your pet pain and skin irritations when you’re trying to brush them out or while they are grooming themselves. You can avoid this by remembering to regularly brush your pet’s coat. Using a high-quality pet brush can help you maintain their coat to keep it silky and smooth. Brushing your pets can be a great way to spend quality time with each other and form a stronger bond with them.

 

  • Do a Health Check 

Each time you groom your pets, make sure to look out for any red flags. Be sure to check their eyes, ears, mouth, anal glands, and skin. Red flags you should watch out for are discharge and strong pungent odors coming from the area. Feel out any unusual bumps, lumps, or rashes on their skin when washing.  Check their mouths to see for tartars, gum inflammation, or a broken or loose tooth. Check for red or hazy eyes, discharge, etc. If you notice any of these signs or others, please visit your veterinarian immediately.

 

  • Do Use Pet-Safe Shampoo 

When bathing your pets, you should only use pet-safe shampoo. Avoid using human shampoo or hand soaps as these can irritate your pet’s skin, making it red, dry, and itchy. Be sure to thoroughly rinse them after baths to remove any shampoo stuck in their coats as even pet shampoo can irritate their skin when left for a while. There are different shampoos for different types of pets, so be sure to use the right one for yours.

Bathe your dog no more than once a month. If you bathe them too often, their skin can dry out and become itchy. If you notice fleas while bathing, please consult your veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent the fleas from multiplying by using prescription products. For cats, however, you should bathe them once or twice a year. You should only bathe your cat regularly if they cannot properly groom themselves.

 

  • Do Start Them Young 

Pets dislike baths, but training them while they are still young pups or kittens can make them more comfortable taking baths. They will easily learn what to do and what not to do during bath time when still young. This will make it easier for your pets and convenient for yourself in the future.

 

Don’ts When Grooming Your Dog

 

  • Don’t Allow Water to Enter the Ear

When bathing your dog, make sure to cover their ears to prevent water from entering the ear canal. This can cause discomfort for the dog. Water and moisture that stay in the ear canal after bath times can change the pH balance inside their ears, letting bacteria and yeast multiply at a fast rate. This will lead to painful and unpleasant ear infections that are hard to get rid of. You can cover your dog’s ear by placing cotton balls inside to absorb water that may possibly go in.

 

  • Don’t Bathe Your Dog with Tangles Present

Never bathe your pet with tangles, knots, and matting present. If you do, this can be impossible to get rid of except for cutting or shaving them off entirely. This will be a huge hassle for you and for your dog especially during winter and summertime where your dogs need their fur coat.

 

  • Don’t Lose Your Patience

Grooming and bathing your pet can be a hard task, especially for pets that aren’t used to it. Be firm but not too aggressive, be persistent but gentle. Make the bathing experience as pleasant for your dog as possible. If the task is too hard, pause and try again later. Your pet will not get used to grooming and bathing if you get easily frustrated and angry.

 

  • Don’t Hold Their Limbs Awkwardly

Pets can be wriggly and move a lot, making them hard to keep still long enough to groom them properly. Avoid holding their limbs awkwardly as this can hurt your dog and may cause injury if done enough times. Please bring your pet to a pet grooming professional if they do not stay still.

 

 

 

 

  • Don’t Use a Blow Dryer on their Face

Your pet needs to be dried after bathing, this can be done using a towel or a blow dryer. When using a blow dryer, make sure to avoid blowing it on their face as this can agitate them and may dry their nose and eyes leading to potential infections.

 

Pet grooming is an essential part of being a responsible pet owner. If you are an aspiring pet owner, you can follow the do’s and don’ts listed above to better take care of your pet and avoid serious problems that can arise from improper grooming.