Being a fur parent means treating our pets as if they are our babies. It’s an endless cycle of cleaning after them, staying up when they are sick, calming them down during vet shots, and so many more. Having little companions also means responsibility, and one of those is pet grooming.
Here is an article that will surely help you in figuring out how to take better care of your little angels. The Furry Companion lists down the benefits, inclusions, and even the tiniest bit of details about pet grooming. Read on and know more about the magic of pet grooming!
Table of Contents
Benefits of Pet Grooming
Appearance
For pets, their hoomans are the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to them. For sure, you are the apple of their eyes! If hoomans deserve to be glammed up from time to time, so do their furbabies!
Pet grooming helps in making your pet look a lot cuter and sweeter. Despite coming off as very superficial, pet grooming also helps in shaping other people’s impression of them. Remember: a well-groomed pet equates to a well-loved fur baby! Check this grooming set for your pet.
Better Health
Grooming is just one of the many ways to make sure your pet’s body remains clean and healthy. Brushing their fur sometimes exposes suspicious lumps and bumps that may indicate severe disease. Cutting their nails will not only prevent painful scratching but will also help them have healthier paw pads! Having their teeth cleaned also means their gums and whole mouth are examined. Consistent pet grooming will surely help you discover things you might not know about the health of your little furball!
Dr. Marty Becker DVM says, “Keeping your pet well groomed not only makes for a clean-smelling companion, it also helps keep your dog more comfortable and allows you to spot health problems before they become serious, or even life-threatening.” Get this vitamins for your dog.
House Cleanliness
Having pets is enjoyable and fun. However, pet owners sometimes do not notice how their little fur babies take over the house through their fur. Pet grooming helps in improving your house cleanliness. It aids in the general sanitation of your crib. The more you brush their hair and fur, the less they shed inside your home. Remember: the bigger they grow, the more coat they shed!
Bonding Time
Pet grooming should not be a stressful time for your fur baby! Instead, it should be an excellent avenue for you and your pet to have some little bonding time. You may assist in washing them or maybe just distract them during nail-cutting! Take pet grooming as a chance to give your ball of sunshine the dose of love and attention they deserve.
Where Pet Grooming Hits
As a pet owner, you surely wonder about the inclusions of pet grooming. While every pet grooming salon’s inclusions vary, they, of course, have common grounds. Generally, pet groomers take care of your fur baby’s skin and fur, eyes and ears, and teeth and nails!
Skin and Fur
Brushing their skin and fur is one significant element of the whole process. While it is mistaken as merely part of the grooming, the groomers take care of your pet’s skin and fur by brushing off the dirt, dandruff, and dead hairs. It also prevents matting and tangles on their delicate fur, leaving their skin and hair shiny and beautifully glammed up!
According to Tammy Hunter, DVM and collaborator, “All dogs benefit from regular brushing to remove loose hairs and dead skin cells, to keep the coat free of dirt, debris, and external parasites, and to distribute natural skin oils along the hair shafts.” Try this dog comb for your furry friend.
Eyes and Ears
Pet groomers also clean your pet’s eyes and ears. Knowing that these parts are prone to infections, a high amount of attention is given to them. Their button eyes stay bright and clean by trimming the furs surrounding them. On the other hand, their ears remain clean and odor-free by thorough examination and cleansing.
Teeth
Of course, to keep that bright smile on our pets, groomers come to the rescue by giving them a good cleaning during every visit. You should also do your part by regularly brushing their teeth at home. Do not forget to ask for your vet’s recommendations on what toothpaste and toothbrush to use!
“The gold standard is to brush your pet’s teeth on a daily basis,” Bernadine Cruz, DVM points out.
Nails
Healthy nails, healthy paws! While having sharp nails is common among pets, having them trimmed regularly helps in keeping them healthy and clean-looking! Pet grooming includes shaping and cutting them to avoid future problems and injuries. Untrimmed nails can also lead to serious health diseases such as arthritis and joint pain. Oh, did you also know that your pet is also susceptible to ingrown nails? So you better keep an eye on the nails!
Easing Your Pet’s Grooming Anxiety
Have you ever been so excited about having your pets groomed, but they seem so nervous about it? Does your pet keep on panting, whining, salivating, or even trembling throughout the supposedly relaxing grooming session? While we may want them to look their best, we also like them feeling loved and secure at the same time. So how do you exactly soothe your furbaby’s anxiety?
You can help by alleviating the stress in the car ride. Most of the time, the pressure they feel begins as early as the ride to the groomer. Car rides provoke their anxiety, be it because of the motion sickness or just their anticipation of where they think you are going.
You can condition your pet to dull his stress and increase his enjoyment of the ride with you. Going to non-scary places will surely help in this area. You may also give him treats during the trip for a distraction. You may also ask for anti-nausea medications from your fur baby’s veterinarian.
Paying attention to your pet’s body language can also be of big help. This will give you a lot of information as to how your pet is feeling and doing. Knowing their body language will help you to distinguish what gives them anxiety and negative feelings. This also comes with keeping a list of your pet’s triggers. Does touching them on a specific part of their body escalate their aggression? By identifying what triggers them, you can efficiently work your way through pet grooming!
Training them to be touched all the time, even on their trigger areas, can also do the trick. Their muzzles, paws, eyes, ears, groin, and tail are said to be their sensitive areas. Having them touched during their bath time at home can also help you manage their stress levels whenever these body parts are touched or brushed. Training them will not only help in easing their anxiety but will also serve as a great bonding time for both of you!
How About Pet Grooming at Home?
Being a fur-parent does not always equate to having a luxury of time to visit a professional groomer. While pet grooming can also add to the veterinary costs, pet owners can also do the magic of pet grooming at home!
You may opt to do their nail trimming at home every few weeks, especially when you do not really visit the groomers regularly. Nail trimming can be a very stressful activity both for your pet and the groomer, so you might as well start training them by doing it at home.
Another home practice you can do is manage their hairballs by regularly brushing their fur and hair. Bathing can also do the trick in removing loose hair. Buying a good brush shall also do the trick.
You can also pair up therapeutic bathing with ear cleaning and toothbrushing! If your pet is too young for a groomer visit yet, start their grooming regimen as early as now. Avoid using scented soaps and shampoos. Give them bath only when necessary, such as when they get too muddy and stinky from playing around too much. Make sure your bath time takes place in a nice, warm area of the house. Not only will this prepare and train them for the professional grooming visit, but it will also keep them clean and in good health.
Knowing first-aid treatments for your pets is also a handy tool in times of unexpected injuries and events. You may start by buying a digital thermometer for them. Remember that the average temperature for dogs and cats is 100–102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. You may also study and learn how to stop bleeding, seizure, and even drownings.
Final Thoughts
In the end, we all just want the best for our fur babies, whether it’s done by a professional or only at home. The important thing is we do our best as pet owners and give them all the love and attention they deserve. Keep your ball of sunshine shining!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost for pet grooming?
The average cost for pet grooming is $50. But prices can range from $40 to $75 depending on your dog’s breed and size. Pet owners also have an option to hire pet groomers to visit their homes. Mobile groomers can cost around $75 for a medium-sized dog. There are self-service facilities as well, which are about $11 to $23.
What does a pet groomer do?
A pet groomer cleans the pets’ ears, nails, and coat using a variety of tools and techniques to fit the needs of the specific animal. Pet groomers trim the nail either by a clipper or a file. The groomer then baths the pet, dries them up, and brush their fur. Being a pet groomer is not an easy task since each dog has a unique personality, and it requires patience and proper handling technique.
Is pet grooming a good career?
It is a good career for those who are passionate about taking care of and being with animals. Pet grooming is a rewarding career because the industry is quickly growing, and they get to help take care of pets.
How do you groom a dog for beginners?
When you groom a dog for the first time, it’s crucial to be clear and firm with your instructions. It is imperative to establish leadership over them. Make bathing a fun experience for your dog by giving lots of praise and treats. Using dog shampoo, rub your pet’s fur thoroughly. Rinse your furry friend well, then dry him. It’s best to trim the nails after bath to ensure that there is no dirt stuck inside the nails.
What happens if you don’t groom your dog?
Grooming is essential because a groomer often discovers health issues like ear infections, skin conditions, and cysts. Without regular grooming, these signs of possible health problems may possibly go unnoticed.
What do groomers give dogs to calm them?
Dog groomers have a variety of tricks to ease our pets’ feelings. Most groomers use gentle approaches to keep dogs still. They alternately give them treats and breaks in between the grooming session. Some groomers use calming aids such as calming scents like lavender. For dogs who have trouble staying in place, groomers usually use a loose leash loop to keep them still. For very aggressive dogs, some vets would recommend them sedatives.
What do groomers wash dogs with?
Dog groomers wash the pets using a shampoo that is primarily for dogs. Dog shampoos have odor killing ingredients capable of removing odors that usually stick to the skin and hair. For a time, these shampoos can repel these unwanted odors.
What do groomers use to make dogs smell nice?
Dog groomers put on cologne on them after a grooming session. No worries because these scents are made especially for dogs, so they are entirely safe. There are different scents dog owners can choose from, such as lavender and baby scent.
Why is pet grooming important?
Grooming your pet is just as vital as taking it to the vet for routine checkups. Pet grooming (proper hair hygiene) is necessary, just as it is for humans; failing to groom pets on a regular basis may have significant health implications. Groomers don’t just cut for aesthetic purposes, they also search for potential problems and illnesses that are hiding under the furry surface, such as cysts, terrible skin diseases, and ear infections.
How often should a dog be groomed?