Your Family Pet

Grooming Tips for Pet Dogs

Grooming

Pet grooming is good for your dog's health, preventing problems such as excessive shedding, skin problems, paw disorders (from untrimmed nails) and mats in your dog's hair. If your pet has never been to the groomer, don't worry. Make an appointment now at your local pet shop. All dogs needs to be groomed on a regular basis, some breeds more frequently than others.

Nail trimming

All dogs should have their nails cut at least every two to three months. Failure to trim their nails can make them very uncomfortable. A nail trim is an inexpensive and simple, five-minute procedure. So make sure to ask your local pet shop grooming person if he or she includes this service for nail trims. Make sure you get your pet a treat as a reward immediately after the trim, and she'll soon learn to anticipate the trip.

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Bathing

Dogs should be bathed every four to eight weeks. If you bathe your dog too frequently, it may dry their skin. Ask your local pet groomer how often your particular pet should be bathed. The skin of your dog is very different from your skin. Professional dog groomers use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner made specifically for dogs. If you want to bathe your pet at home between trips to local pet groomer, ask your him or her what brand and type of shampoo is best suited for your pet. Never use shampoo or conditioner designed for humans; they can be harmful to your pet.

Brushing

Hair trimming and brushing should be done prior to a bath. It makes the hair much easier to work with when it's clean. Never bathe a pet with mats in its hair since washing only tightens the mats. If your pet is developing mats in his hair, groom immediately as mats can cause discomfort and pain.

Grooming Puppies

The best time to get your dog accustomed to grooming is when it's a puppy. Make sure your groomer has experience with grooming puppies which can be quite a chore. A bath and brush or nail trim is all your young puppy needs for its first groom. Frequent trips to the groomer at an early age will teach your dog that grooming is a pleasant experience. Daily brushing will keep your puppy's coat and skin healthier; ask your groomer to help you select the best brush for your puppy's coat type. Buying a good pet clipper for long haired dogs is also a good method from avoiding hair mat nightmares.

Ear cleaning

Dogs must have their ears cleaned periodically to help prevent ear infections. Request for your local pet groomer make ear cleaning a part of every full-service groom or bath and brush. We also carry a full line of over-the-counter products to help accomplish this task.

Flea and Tick Control

Many pets pick up fleas or ticks without their owner's knowledge. Fleas and ticks will initially make your pet uncomfortable and can eventually make them very sick. Ask your pet groomers if they check every pet for these parasites. If a well trained groomer find them on your pet, they'll recommend a high-quality flea and tick shampoo to destroy adult fleas or ticks. If the infestation is more intense, the groomer may recommend a flea dip for your pet. Because of the larva-to-adult life cycle of fleas and ticks, it's necessary to bring your pet back for another shampoo within three to four weeks. To prevent a reoccurrence, you should also purchase flea/tick products to eliminate them from your home and pet's bed area. Ask your groomer or vet about the steps required to eliminate these pests, and also about the new prescription "pill" methods of eliminating fleas and ticks.

If you are shopping around for a good grooming kit for your pet dog, take a look at some clippers and grooming kits that we recommend:

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