Summer Fun For Your Pet
June 10, 2016Dog Talk: What Your Dogs Are Saying to Each Other
August 11, 2016Everyone likes to look their best during summertime, including our four-legged friends! A trip to the groomer is always the best option when caring for your pet’s appearance and hygiene, but it’s also important to meet their needs in between trips to the groomer. This is part of being a responsible pet owner and also helps build trust between you and your dog.
For pet owners in the Southern California area, we recommend Chino’s Caring Kennel for grooming (they handle brush outs, baths, teeth, intricate breed trims, medicated bathing, and more). However, while you’re bridging the gap between visits we’re offering these great tips for at-home grooming, check them out below!
Bathing
For some dogs bath time is fun time, but for others it can be quite uncomfortable. If your pet become anxious during bathing, be sure to get behavior tips from a pro or find a groomer you trust. Dogs generally need baths every two months (bathing too frequently will dry out their skin). The trick to happy bath time is making sure you’re prepared beforehand. Find a good shampoo made specifically for dogs and have it ready by the tub. After you apply the shampoo, lather thoroughly and be sure rinse all the suds away – be careful around the eyes! Insider tip: Keep treats by the tub to reward good behavior.
Brushing
After your dog is out of the tub and towel dried, it’s time to brush them. No matter the length of your pet’s hair, this is an important step that removes dead hair and dry skin. If your dog tries to make brushing a game by nibbling at the brush, discourage them immediately. Insider tip: Brushing isn’t only for bath time. Brush your dog every 2 – 3 days.
Trimming
Keep your dog’s feet free from long hair by trimming the area in front of the toes every two months. This not only makes their feet look nice, but reduces tar, stickers, rocks and twigs from the area.
Nails
Visit your groomer! This is a tedious practice that can be painful for your pet if not done correctly. Make an appointment and consult with a pro if you need to trim in between visits.
Ears
Ears can be tricky terrain. It’s important not to clean too deeply inside your pet’s ears, but also important to keep the area free of dirt, ticks, fleas, or any other foreign materials. Take a cotton ball dampened with ear cleaning solution or wrap a baby wipe around your finger. Wipe the inside of the surface of their ear, making sure not to go further than your finger fits. If there is any fluid or strange smells coming from your dog’s ear, take them to vet as soon as possible. Insider tip: Never use a Q Tip to clean your dog’s ears due to risk of serious injury.
Teeth
Brushing teeth is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. Canines can suffer from cavities, gum disease, and overall build up, and need their teeth brushed twice a week. Pet toothbrushes are available for purchase but you can also use gauze and wrap it around your finger. Use doggy toothpaste or create your own with baking soda and water. Clean the outside the teeth only, no need to brush the tongue as it has self-cleaning properties. Insider tip: A little goes a long way. Start small and begin with the front teeth until your dog becomes comfortable enough to let you brush them all thoroughly.
For more in-depth info on helping your pet look fabulous in between visits to the groomer, visit https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/training/grooming-tips-dogs.