Tips For Pet Grooming at Home

Grooming your pet at home can be enjoyable for both you and your fur baby, especially if you start from a young age allowing them the time to become familiar with the process and sensations! 

Bathing is an important aspect of pet care as it not only helps to remove unpleasant odours, excess hair and dirt, but also maintain healthy skin and coat. It can be performed on an as needs basis, however, avoid bathing more frequently than every 2 weeks as excessive bathing can remove important natural oils within the coat. 

Types of shampoo and conditioner

Always choose a natural, hypoallergenic pet-approved product. Human shampoos are not acceptable as animals have more sensitive skin and different skin pH than us. 

Common shampoo types: 

• General-purpose 
• Hypoallergenic 
• Medicated 
• Oatmeal 
• Flea 

If your pet has a skin condition, always ask your veterinarian about the most suitable product. 

Tools you will need 

• Bathtub, laundry sink, or large bucket 
• Pet-approved shampoo and conditioner 
• Towel 
• Water source e.g., hose or another bucket of warm water 
• Waterproof brush 
• Treats 

Always start bathing your pet from a young age and use treats to help make the experience a positive one. Walking your pet or giving them a play beforehand will help reduce excess energy for bath time! 

Washing: 

• Fill the bath with warm water 
• Gently wet the dog’s coat 
• Gently lather in the shampoo 
• Rinse 
• Apply conditioner 
• Rinse again 

Drying: 

• Allow your pet to shake off any excess water (most dogs will instinctively do this anyway!) 
• Use a large absorbent towel to pat dry your pet 
• Where a pet cannot comfortably air-dry, using a hairdryer is an option – always have it on a low setting and use it at least 30 cm away from their coat 

Brushing your pet 

Brushing your pet on a regular basis, between baths, will help keep your pet’s coat healthy and prevent matting. Guidelines as to frequency are as follows: 

Trimming hair 

Depending on the breed of your faithful friend, seeing a professional groomer may or may not be on your care list! Some of these pets also require regular hair trims between professional grooming sessions to help maintain hygiene and prevent irritation. 

Areas commonly affected: 

• Eyes 
• Anus 
• Chin 
• Toes 
• Other areas that mat 

Tips: 

• Only attempt this at home if your pet is calm 
• Never use pointy scissors, only blunt or round ended 
• Use food treats to help associate trimming with positive rewards 
• If you find that your pets' coats are often matted, be sure to visit a vet or pet grooming service near you to examine the condition of their skin and assess if any treatments are needed. 

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