Every responsible dog or cat owner will agree: coat care is, first and foremost, about your pet’s health. Fur plays a crucial role in an animal’s life — it protects the skin from external factors, helps regulate body temperature, and even serves as a form of communication with other animals and humans. However, without proper care, this natural advantage can become a source of problems.
Matting, skin irritation, allergies, itching, and parasites are just a few of the risks that can arise from poor or insufficient coat maintenance. Regular brushing, proper bathing, and the use of specialized products and high-quality grooming tools suited to your pet’s coat and skin type not only keep their appearance in top shape but also support long-term health.
Grooming is also an emotional connection — a moment of trust that strengthens the bond between human and animal. Being attentive during care routines helps you notice early signs of health issues before they become serious. That’s why mindful coat care isn’t a luxury — it’s an essential part of your furry friend’s happy, healthy life.
Top 10 mistakes in animal hair care
Wrong choice of shampoo
Using the wrong shampoo can cause skin irritation and coat damage. Shampoos with aggressive chemical ingredients dry out the skin and cause allergic reactions. Therefore, it is very important to choose a shampoo that is suitable for the coat type, or even better, breed-specific shampoos that are designed specifically for your pet’s breed and include all the necessary components – vitamins and minerals, ensuring a healthy coat.
Under or over brushing
Infrequent brushing can lead to the formation of tangles, and excessive brushing can lead to skin irritation and hair loss. It is important to find a middle ground. Do not forget about the need to comb out, and also do not overdo it.
Ignoring professional grooming
Regular visits to the groomer help maintain healthy coats and skin, especially for high-maintenance breeds. Professional groomers know all the features and subtleties of coat care, and will also provide recommendations that will be relevant specifically to your Tail.
Inappropriate haircut for breeds with undercoat
Cutting your hair too short can have a serious impact on the health of dogs, especially those breeds that have a thick undercoat. The undercoat serves an important function in regulating the dog’s body temperature. When the coat is cut too short, this natural insulating layer of the animal is lost, which can lead to hypothermia or overheating.
Additionally, the undercoat also helps protect the skin from ultraviolet rays, dirt and other external factors. Cutting your hair too short can make your skin more susceptible to sunburn, irritation and infection.
Improper use of grooming tools
Using unsuitable combs and brushes can damage your pet’s fur and skin. Therefore, it is important to select the right tools and not neglect the advice of groomers.
Insufficient skin care
Sometimes pet owners think that combing the fur is enough and they have fulfilled their duty, but this is far from the case. Inattention to skin health can lead to the development of skin diseases and infections, which will then be very difficult to cure.
Negligence about regular bathing
Lack of regular bathing can lead to the accumulation of dirt, secretions from the skin glands and increase the risk of skin diseases. While cats do not need to take regular baths, dogs simply do. On average, a dog should be bathed once every 1-2 months, depending on the breed and soiling.
Use of human cosmetics
Human shampoos and conditioners are not suitable for animals because they have a different pH level, which can cause skin reactions. And cosmetics for animals take into account the necessary vitamin complexes for the skin and fur of animals.
Ignoring seasonal changes in grooming
Grooming needs may vary depending on the season, such as summer and winter grooming, shedding times, and dormant periods (meaning when shedding is not as active). Taking these factors into account, you need to change and adapt to the selection of the duration of combing, visiting a grooming salon, bathing, etc.
Inattention to allergies and skin diseases
It is important to regularly check the condition of the skin and coat in order to promptly identify signs of allergies or diseases. Animals, just like people, need immediate treatment of problems, rather than leaving them alone, because problems can develop into serious illnesses.
Professional advice from V.O.G DOG groomers
Our experienced groomers at V.O.G DOG advise pet owners to follow these guidelines for optimal grooming:
- Use high quality food that supports coat health and is enriched with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
- Use warm water for the animal’s comfort and better cleaning of the fur. It is absolutely not enough, even for a yard dog, to simply throw it into a pond so that it can swim there 😊
- Choose brushes and combs that match your pet’s coat type to ensure effective removal of dead hair and massage of the skin.
- Establish a regular grooming schedule to keep the coat in good condition instead of waiting for problems to arise.
- After bathing, gently dry your pet’s coat with a soft towel or a temperature-controlled hair dryer. Avoid cold and hot air flow.
The V.O.G DOG team offers you professional care for your Tail. Our groomers use only the best cosmetics, products and techniques to ensure that your pet looks and feels at its best. We invite you to visit our salons, where we will provide your animal with the attention and caring care it deserves.
