As a responsible pet owner, it's important to keep your pet clean and well-groomed. But with many grooming salons around the country still closed due to COVID-19, it can be challenging to keep on top of your pet's grooming routine. If your pet needs a trim and tidy up, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll share our top tips for grooming your pet at home.
Basic Grooming Supplies
Grooming your pet at home doesn't need to be difficult, but it's important to have the right tools for the job. In this section of the post, we'll take a look at some basic supplies that will make grooming your pet a whole lot easier.
Pet Shampoo
Choose a high-quality pet shampoo that's made with 100% natural ingredients. Shampoos designed for humans often contain harsh chemicals, and can disrupt the delicate pH balance of your pet's skin. This leaves them vulnerable to health complications, including skin irritation, infections, and parasites. If your pet has specific issues or needs, for example, sensitive skin, yeast issues, or allergies, there are lots of good all-natural shampoos that address these needs.
A Brush
A good brush is an essential item for keeping your pet's coat in shape. When deciding on a brush, it's important to consider the length and thickness of your pet's coat. Slicker brushes or wire-pin brushes help eliminate tangles and mats. This makes them a great choice for long-haired pets. If your pet has shorter hair, a bristle brush is an excellent option.
Cotton Balls and Gauze
Make sure to have some cotton balls and gauze handy when it's time to groom your pet. Cotton balls can be used to clean your pet's outer ears and the openings of their ear canals. Gauze can be wrapped around your finger and used to gently clean your pet's teeth and gums.
Virgin Coconut Oil
CocoTherapy Virgin Coconut Oil has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. It can be used as a healthy, natural toothpaste to clean your pet's teeth and gums, or applied topically to improve skin and coat health.
You can also use CocoTherapy Virgin Coconut Oil to clean your pet's ears. Virgin coconut oil is rich in Caprylic acid, which has powerful anti-yeast properties. Cleaning your pet’s ears with coconut oil will help protect and prevent ear infections.
Scissors
It's worth investing in a good pair of professional-grade scissors that will cut through your pet's hair easily. Cheap scissors can snag and pull hair, causing your pet pain and discomfort while they're being groomed. Want to achieve that fresh-from-the-salon look? Curved scissors and thinning shears are great for shaping and finishing your pet's coat.
Electric Clippers
A pair of electric clippers can come in handy when grooming – especially if you have a long-haired pet. When purchasing a pair of clippers, make sure to choose a model that's specially designed for use on pets. Never shave your pet completely as it interferes with their ability to regulate body temperature and leaves them vulnerable to overheating.
5 Simple Steps For Grooming Your Pet at Home
Now you've gathered your supplies, it's time to get down to the task of grooming. In this section of the post, we'll share 5 simple steps for grooming your pet at home.
1) Brush Your Pet
Before you bathe your pet, we recommend brushing your pet gently from head to tail to get rid of any tangles, mats, and loose hair. This will remove any loose dirt or debris that has accumulated in your pet’s fur. It's a good idea to brush around any large tangles or mats, as these can be brushed out or trimmed later. Avoid brushing too hard as this can irritate your pet's skin. It's especially important to brush gently in sensitive areas like the head and underside of the stomach.
2) Wash Your Pet
Next bathe your pet with warm water. Make sure that you adjust the water temperature so that it's not too hot or too cold. Apply a small amount of shampoo to your pet's coat and work into a lather. Massage your pet and feel for any lumps, bumps, or growths on his skin or body. This is an excellent time to discover any issues that your pet may have.
After working in the shampoo, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Take care to wash out all the shampoo to avoid leaving behind residue. When your pet is clean, gently towel dry their coat. You can speed up the drying process by using a blow dryer on the 'cool' setting.
3) Trim Your Pet's Hair
When your pet’s hair is dry, gently brush to ensure that there are no tangles. Both scissors and clippers can be used to trim your pet's hair. If using scissors, use your fingers as a cutting guide. Starting at the head, trim slowly down your pet's body. We recommend using just the tips of the scissors so you can quickly pull away if your pet moves suddenly. Make sure to be extremely careful around sensitive areas such as your pet's ears, eyes, and face.
Many pet owners prefer to use electric clippers as they are safer and easier to use. The best pet clippers come complete with guards that can be used to trim your pet's hair to various different lengths. Start off with the largest guard and work your way down to avoid trimming off more hair than needed. Again, take extra care when working around sensitive areas and make sure the clippers don't get too hot after extended use.
4) Clean Your Pet's Teeth
The simplest way to brush your pet's teeth is by applying a small amount of virgin coconut oil to a moistened piece of gauze, then brush with gentle motions to clean the teeth and gums. Your pet will love the sweet taste of the oil, and the gauze will make the task of brushing a whole lot easier!
5) Clean Your Pet's Ears
Pets are susceptible to ear infections caused by bacteria, yeast, and ear mites. Use a moistened cotton ball to gently wipe your pet's outer ears and the openings of their ear canals. Never use Q-Tips to clean inside your pet's ears canals as they can damage the sensitive inner ear. Next, apply a few drops of virgin coconut oil to your pet's ears to soothe itchiness, clear up infection, kill mites, and keep ears clean and healthy.
Final Words
Grooming your pet at home is a relatively simple process, but some pets will take longer than others to adapt to being groomed. For this reason, we recommend starting a regular grooming routine as early in your pet's life as possible. It's also a good idea to dish out plenty of praise and treats to help your pet feel more comfortable while they're being groomed.
We hope you enjoyed this post about grooming your pet at home! Do you have any tips to make grooming your pet easier? Let us know in the comments.
