I know, I know, this really isn’t any pets favorite, if it were up to them they’d probably opt out. But with consistency they can learn to tolerate it which benefits both them and the groomers. Not only does regular grooming add to your DOG & CAT’S overall gorgeous appearance but it aids in keeping them healthy in many, many, ways.
With our increasingly busy lives, sometimes a mundane activity like pet grooming can seem like a chore. You may even assume that grooming your furball isn’t that important—after all, their coat looks to be in okay shape, so why bother? But grooming is so much more than a quick swipe with a brush; grooming is about looking after your pets skin, eyes, ears, nails, teeth, and yes, coat. Grooming is an essential part of caring for your pets.
Did you know that making sure your pets are groomed regularly keep many diseases at bay? Also it can be a first indicator that something is going on with your pets health whether you have a dog or cat.
Always know the feel of your pet. I always advise this whether your pet is professionally groomed or not. The truth is Grooming is a chance to give your dog & cats body a good once-over. When you are brushing them, this is the time you are most likely to find any suspicious bumps or lumps that might be hidden by their coat. You’ll also find any mats that may be causing them pain. When you are cleaning their teeth, you might discover sore or bleeding gums and bad breath that may indicate a health problem. When you are trimming their nails, you may come across a sensitive spot or something caught in their paw pads. All of these potential issues will come to light when you are consistent with your grooming. Think of it as a weekly health check. The sooner you discover a problem, the more likely your veterinarian will be able to help your pet
Put simply, grooming improves your pet’s overall condition. A brush aerates their coat and is good for blood circulation as well as removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores. For long-haired pets, grooming helps to prevent mats which can be painful and difficult to remove and, for cats, grooming prevents hairballs.
When it comes to hygiene, especially of long-haired cats and dogs, grooming can help keep all the nooks and crannies clean, preventing nasty infections.
The second most important fact to state here is grooming your pet creates tremendous bonding time for the both of you. Not to mention it helps your pets get used to being touched which will help when they go to the groomers or vets. Too often we take our companions for granted, and grooming gives us the chance to slow down and pay some quality attention to our pets. If you look at this as an opportunity to give your furry babies some love and attention, then suddenly brushing, clipping, or bathing doesn’t seem like such a chore!
Keeping your pets groomed regularly will help with the general sanitation of your house. The more you brush and comb your pets, the less hair and dander will shed inside your home (and on your curtains, couches, and rugs!.. Not to mention your bed). Plus, if someone in your family is prone to allergies, regularly brushing and bathing your pets can help tame some of the dander that causes flare-ups.
So you may be asking how often should I groom my pet? at least once every 4 to 6 weeks, especially for long-haired breeds. Even if you groom your pets yourself I would strongly advise you find and select reputable groomer of your choosing. Make sure you interview them personally & for GOD’S sake listen to your intuition if something doesn’t feel right that usually means it isn’t… Listen to your inner voice.
For home grooming, a daily brushing for long-haired pets and for more short-haired breeds, weekly. Eyes and ears should also be checked and cleaned at home if necessary.
Grooming recommendations are generally the same for dogs and cats with the exception that cats groom themselves so are cleaner than dogs and thus don’t really need to be washed as often once a year is doable. They also stress easily so if a wash is necessary a dry shampoo can be used.
How to start to get your pets used to grooming. Of course the best scenario here is to start when there young because it is more likely that your dog or cat will enjoy the whole experience. However, if they are not young here’s how to get them used to the experience while keeping it positive.
Start the grooming process at home, my advice keep brushing sessions short to start with, and keep the mood light and fun. If you need to, use a few treats. Always have a calm music playing on low in the background (music calms the savage beast ). As they become more and more adapted to the process increase the time.
When you’re finally ready for a professional Pet Spa, take your pets for a meet and greet before the whole grooming experience to familiarize them with the new people and environment and start with only a brush. Always reward for good behavior this will help them associate positivity with the experience. Also if needed select a all natural calming formula to give your pet to help soothe their frayed nerves.
Last thing to acknowledge here but certainly not least, is that grooming makes your pets look nice. While this may seem like a superficial reason, in actuality it can have a psychological effect on the people with whom they come in contact with. People and children may be afraid or suspicious of an unkempt cat or dog. But a pet who looks well cared for will invite more people to interact with them, thereby giving them more opportunities to socialize.
After all we all want our pets to put their best paw forward right? That’s all for now folks! Until next time Remember Pets Rule!
