10 at-home pet grooming tips

An important part of your responsibility as a pet owner is to make sure that you keep your pet well-groomed. Not only does this mean your pet looks presentable, it is also hygienic which helps to keep them healthy. However, it can be difficult to know where to start, and what type of grooming to prioritise, so we've put together our top 10 tips to help you begin.

1. Stay On Top Of It

As with anything, pet grooming is best done regularly to keep it as a small, manageable task. The longer you leave grooming your pet, the more difficult and time consuming it becomes. Simply brushing your pet's fur (with a specifically designed brush or comb) and cleaning around their eyes and mouth area on a weekly basis is a great way to start.

2. Only Groom A Calm Pet

In general, animals don't love to be groomed, which means that trying to work with an already excitable pet will be a lot more difficult than if you choose a time that your pet is calm and relaxed. Perhaps groom your pet at the end of a day, or after you have tired them out with exercise.

3. Ease Young Pets Into It

It is important to familiarise your pet with grooming from a young age so that they are used to it. Grooming gloves are a great way to do this as you can stroke your pet and brush their fur at the same time. In this way your pet will be used to the sensation of having their fur brushed without the need for a brush or comb.

4. Be Gentle

Obviously pets aren't able to tell you if you are brushing pr pressing too hard, so be as gentle as possible - as you would be if you were washing a baby. Always hold the roots of the hair when brushing in case of knots, and only apply light pressure when washing with shampoo.

5. Concentrate Fully

This is especially important if you are cutting your pet's claws. It can be dangerous to cut the claws too short, so do small amount gradually and ensure that you are only taking off the white section of the claw.

We would recommend rather taking your pet to the grooming parlor if you are unsure.

6. Use Products Specifically Designed For Your Pet

Pets can have incredibly sensitive skin, which means it is important that you only ever use products that have been approved for their exact needs. You should never use human products on your pet, and neither should you use cat products for dogs or vice versa.

7. Stand On A White Protective Sheet

Grooming your pet can create a lot of mess, so protective sheets are useless to prevent your home from becoming dirty. HOWEVER, standing on a white sheet is particularly useful because you will be able to see any fleas or insects that come out as you brush your pets.

8. Make The Most Of It

Make the most of this close contact time with your pet to check their skin, paws, eyes, ears and mouth for anything that looks out of the ordinary. You should feel for any lumps, cuts, redness or anything else that could be a sign that your pet needs any for of medical attention.

9. Don't Forget Their Teeth

Grooming your pet doesn't just mean making their coat look pretty. It is also important that you regularly clean their teeth with a specifically designed brush and specifically designed toothpaste as part of their grooming routine.

I cannot stress this enough; do not use human products on your pets!

10. Always Ask If Unsure

If you have any concerns about the way you are grooming your dog or cat or whichever other animal you have, or any worries about something you have notices whilst grooming, you should ask your vet for advice as soon as possible. With access to your pet's records, they will be able to provide you with information tailored to your pet's specific needs - medical or otherwise.

You don't always have to spend lots of money on paying for your pet to be groomed, providing that you do it often it is an easy and quick job.

#petgrooming #athome