Pet Grooming: 5 Things You Should Know About Pet Grooming

If you have a pet already or are planning to introduce a pet to your household, you must know about its grooming and bathing care. Most pet owners think that good food is all that’s needed to keep their dog, cat, or other pet healthy and happy. The importance of pet grooming is often underestimated. However, it is one of the most crucial steps for maintaining their overall well-being.

You may not know it, but pet grooming is a multi-billion dollar industry that’s growing with every passing year. These days, more and more pet owners depend upon professional pet groomers for top-notch grooming services like the trimming and clipping of nails, cleaning of the ears, the cutting of fur, and the bathing of their pets. Pet grooming tends to be more focused on the grooming of dogs rather than the cats. That’s because cats like to groom themselves, and they are also quite unpredictable.

Grooming is a skill that comes with experience; if this is your first time grooming your pet, you will need a thorough grooming guide. For your convenience, we’ve gathered all the things that you should know about pet grooming.

1.     Don’t Forget to Brush Your Furry Friend

Nobody likes a dirty pooch, right? A dirt-ridden fur with pests and bacteria is a sight that nobody wants to see.

No matter how adorable your pet is, if it is not cleaned and maintained well, it won’t look so adorable. That’s where the importance of brushing your four-legged companion kicks in. Brushing helps maintain the sleek coat of your pet. It also prevents the buildup of dirt and pests in their coats.

It is important to use the right kind of brush to ensure that brushing is a comfortable experience for your pet and yourself. Depending on the fur size and type, you should consider how often your pet needs brushing. For example, long-haired dogs require daily brushing to avoid tangling of their locks. In the case of medium hair, dogs should be brushed every week. And short-haired dogs can go without brushing for a few weeks.

Besides hygiene purposes, brushing is a great way to bond with your dog. Talk to them while massaging their coat as it is a terrific way to strengthen your bond with them.

2.     Bathe Them with the Right Shampoo

Bathing your pet is another crucial step in the grooming procedure. The most common question pet owners ask is how often they should bathe their dog. It all depends on your dog’s breed and lifestyle. Generally, once a month is considered ideal. However, if you have a long-haired dog or a dog that spends most of its time outdoors, then once a week is better.

When bathing your dog, you must pick the right shampoo. Your vet can help you choose an appropriate dog shampoo, keeping your dog’s skin health in mind. Avoid using human shampoos as they are for human use only. If your dog has healthy skin, a mild, hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner will do.

Make sure that you test the product first to ensure there is no irritation or reaction.

3.     Brushing Teeth Is Just as Important

Your pet has teeth, too, and they need to be brushed two to three times a week. This helps keep your furry friend’s mouth fresh and clean. Always use toothpaste specifically made for dogs’ teeth. Also, invest in a special toothbrush that easily reaches places without hurting your dog’s mouth. You can get these tools from a pet store or an online pet market.

If having their teeth brushed hasn’t been a part of your pet’s life, you will have to gradually introduce it to your dog. Start by massaging your dog’s muzzle for a week so that it gets used to the feel the brushing. Later, dab a little bit of a dog’s toothpaste on their lips and then acquaint them with their toothbrush. Don’t force the brushing, as it may scare your pet away.

Eventually, you will be ready to brush your dog’s teeth. Go as far back as you can to get the bacteria out of your dog’s mouth.

4.     Say Yes to Haircuts

If you want a clean dog, it is necessary to consider a proper haircut by a professional. Dogs never stop growing hair, which is why it needs to be trimmed every six to eight weeks. However, long-haired dogs require trimming at least once a month.

Haircuts are not only necessary for hygiene or grooming, but they are also great for providing a new style for your dog. From breed-specific cuts to special haircuts, you can groom your dog in whichever way you want. Some of the most popular haircuts for dogs include the lamb cut, the lion cut, the puppy cut, the teddy bear cut, the Schnauzer cut, etc.

5.     Train Your Pet for Grooming

While it is easier to train puppies or kittens for grooming, adult pets can cause trouble. That being said, they can also be groomed with proper training.

First of all, pat and stroke different parts of your dog to make it feel comfortable with the idea of grooming. Once your dog is used to it, introduce it to brushing. Make sure that you gently brush your dog. Keep the grooming sessions short so that your pet doesn’t feel overwhelmed. Monitor your dog’s reaction while brushing it. If your pet seems irritated or annoyed, stop right away. Check if you are using the right brush that has soft bristles.

Invest in high-quality grooming products to ensure that your pet looks picture-perfect all the time.


by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™

Facts About Animal Homelessness:

  1. Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home.
  2. The main reasons animals are in shelters: owners give them up, or animal control finds them on the street.
  3. Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes. Act as a publicist for your local shelter so pets can find homes. Sign up for Shelter Pet PR.
  4. Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.
  5. According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2% of cats and only 15 to 20% of dogs are returned to their owners.
  6. 25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.
  7. About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are relinquished by their owners.
  8. It’s impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States. Estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.
  9. Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. Overpopulation, due to owners letting their pets accidentally or intentionally reproduce, sees millions of these “excess” animals killed annually.
  10. Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
  11. According to The Humane Society, there are about 3,500 brick-and-mortar animal shelters in the US and 10,000 rescue groups and animal sanctuaries in North America.

Here are a some adoptions for consideration:  puccicafe.com/adoptions