When an animal appears at home, a great responsibility comes with it. In addition to physical activity, proper nutrition and health care, his appearance also needs constant attention from you. Is it worth running to a qualified groomer every time? Of course not. Today we will tell you about home grooming.
What is grooming and why is it important?
Grooming is the care of your pet’s claws, eyes, ears, skin, and fur, which ensures both the good appearance of the animal and the prevention of most diseases. It allows you to better notice changes in the Tail’s health, for example, whether there are new papillomas, skin irritations or dental problems. And therefore you will be able to react faster and contact a veterinarian to prevent complications and more serious diseases.
Grooming at home. What is needed for this?
Before you start caring for your pet, make sure you have all the necessary tools, because without them it will be difficult or almost impossible to perform certain procedures. In addition, it is always necessary to remember about safety.
- Brush/comb/fluff/coat cutter. Depending on the type of fur of the animal (short or long, thick or thin), you will need a brush/comb/fluff for combing. In the event of dandruff, a dandruff cutter will help break them into smaller dandruff, which are easier to comb out without pain.
- Scissors and clippers with nozzles of different lengths. If your pet needs regular grooming, it’s important to have the right tool. You will need a machine for shaving the body and paws, and scissors for cutting the face and tail.
- Claw cutter/grinder. Special scissors for trimming animal claws will help to remove excess length, and a grinder will polish the edge to avoid delamination.
- Shampoo and conditioner for animals. There are many cosmetic products for animals on the market, which differ in composition and final result. If you have a baby or an allergy sufferer, always choose mild hypoallergenic shampoos. In other cases, you can focus on the effect: more volume, hydration, shine, degreasing. And be sure to use conditioner to preserve the structure of the wool.
- Towels and hairdryer.
- Cotton pads and lotions for ear and eye care. The means can be purchased at any veterinary institution or pet store.
How to cut a dog at home?
We know the importance of grooming, we already have the whole arsenal of tools and a Tail that needs grooming, so where do we start? First, start by choosing a comfortable place so that no one disturbs you and does not create stressful situations. If the size of the bathroom allows, then all procedures can be done there. If not, choose a place that will be easy to clean later. Second, prepare your favorite treats and keep them within easy reach. Most animals do not start to like grooming from the first time, and therefore they can be nervous. To make the process more pleasant and to calm your pet, reward him with something tasty after each completed stage. A positive association will lay a good foundation for further grooming.
And now, step by step, we will analyze the main procedures for caring for an animal.
- Combing is the main and most important component of grooming. Without regular combing, it is impossible to achieve a good haircut, reduction of fur at home, and absence of mangles. Depending on the type and length of the fur, you can buy a suitable brush. For example, a silicone brush is good for short-haired breeds. And for long-haired dogs, it is already necessary to purchase a fluffer in order to effectively comb the undercoat and cope with the mange. If the cods have already formed into large balls, you will need a cod cutter that can be used to divide them into smaller lumps.
- Cut your nails once a month. For this, you will need a claw cutter and a little patience. Cut the tips of the claws little by little so as not to touch the blood vessels.
- Clean the ears with cotton pads and lotion. It is important not to dive too deep, so as not to damage the eardrum.
- Clean your pet’s eyes with cotton pads and lotion, especially if they have long fur around their faces and tear ducts.
- Bathe the animal as needed and always before clipping. Pour some warm water into the bath, you can lay a mat to prevent slipping and gently hold the animal during the procedure. Do not pour water into the eyes and ears, it is better to use sponges in these areas. Apply shampoo and conditioner, rinse well and make sure there is no foam left on the paws.
- After water procedures, be sure to wrap your pet in a warm towel. You may need to change the towel several times to absorb all the moisture, but this will make the drying process easier. After that, use a hair dryer on medium speed and comb the fur with a brush. It is important not to direct the stream of hot air to the fur of the animal, so as not to dry it out and cause pain. It is better to choose a warm mode.
- Grooming a cat is not much different from grooming a dog except for more unpredictable behavior and a great dislike of bathing. If your kitty is on the Water Haters team, you can use a special pet dry shampoo. You can also learn how to remove cat litter at home in detail on our blog.
- Depending on your pet’s breed and coat type, it may need a haircut. For example, short-haired animals only need regular grooming and a haircut can only harm their health, while long-haired animals, on the contrary, without a haircut can have problems with their skin and coat.
How to properly cut a dog at home?
Grooming dogs at home is a great way to save money and make your Tail beautiful yourself. At the same time, it can be a stressful process, both for the dog and for you, so we share the instructions “How to trim a dog yourself”.
Above we analyzed the main stages of grooming, and combing, bathing and drying the coat are especially important for haircuts. Without these procedures, you can damage the tool and injure the animal. When you have completed all the preparatory actions and made sure that the wool is clean, completely dry and easy to comb, you can proceed to the haircut. Remember that clipping wet wool is a big mistake, as it can lead to an uneven cut and damage to the blades of the scissors and clippers.
Always start at the dog’s neck, moving down the back to the tail. Use the clipper attachment to get the desired length of coat and hold the clipper at an angle to avoid injuring the Tail. If you are not sure which length to choose, use a longer nozzle first, as you can always remove more hair later. Be especially careful when cutting sensitive areas: tummy, armpits and genitals. Too short hair in these areas can prick and create discomfort for the animal.
Then you can proceed to cutting the paws. You can use a machine to remove the overall length, but always use scissors to give the correct shape and direct edging of the paws. In the grooming world, there are many scissors that make a cut in different ways, so you need to choose the most convenient and functional ones for yourself.
Use scissors to cut the tail, but if you need to make a “brush” out of the tail, you can use a machine to shave the base.
And finally, you only have the pet’s head left to cut. Here you should work only with scissors and be as careful as possible so as not to cut the ear, tongue, or eye. If the dog does not sit still, is nervous and does not allow you to trim its head without the risk of cutting something, it is better to stop, distract yourself from grooming and try later.
After you finish clipping, brush the coat, step back and check the dog’s general appearance. If you notice any unevenness somewhere, level it and comb it again. Do not forget to give a treat to your pet for patience and obedience.
In general, trimming dogs at home is a rather dangerous process, because you are working with cutting tools, and in front of you is a living creature. Therefore, safety, maximum attentiveness and caution are the cornerstones of grooming. But you should not faint if you suddenly hurt your pet’s skin. Just stop the bleeding as soon as possible and treat the area with chlorhexidine to prevent infection.
When is it better to contact specialists?
If you feel that your pet is too nervous or has a very complex coat, it may be worth contacting a qualified groomer. He must have special skills and tools that will make the clipping process faster and less stressful for the animal. You can always contact V.O.G DOG SALON for consultation and appointment for grooming.
