Easy Tips For Pet Grooming You Can Do At Home

If you begin your pet's grooming at a young age, they'll gain a sense of familiarity with the process as well as the sensations associated making grooming at home easy. 

Bathing and brushing your pet 

An important part of pet care is bathing and brushing your pet's coat. Bathing is essential in removing unwanted odours, excess hair, and dirt, and for maintaining a healthy coat and skin. But it is recommended to avoid bathing more than twice a month, as excessive bathing can remove important natural oils from the coat.  

How do I choose a shampoo and conditioner that is pet-friendly? 

You should always choose a pet-friendly shampoo and conditioner product that is natural and hypoallergenic. Shampoos designed for humans are not suitable for animals, as their skin is more sensitive and has a different pH than ours. 

Common shampoos for pets are:  

• General-purpose  
• Hypoallergenic
• Medicated
• Oatmeal based to soothe sensitive skin
• Flea control   

A veterinarian can advise you on the most appropriate shampoo product for your pet if it suffers from a skin condition. 

Things you need to wash your pet: 

• Bathtub, laundry sink, or large bucket for them to stand in if bathing indoors 
• Pet-approved shampoo and conditioner   
• Towel to dry them off
• Water source e.g., hose or another bucket of warm water 
• Waterproof brush to comb through their fur 
• Treats and lots of positive reinforcement 

How to bathe your pet?  

Start bathing your pet at a young age and use treats and positive rein enforcement to make the experience less stressful for them. If you have an energetic pet, you can try taking them for a walk or playing with them beforehand to help reduce that excess energy. 

Bathing your pet: 

• Fill the bath with warm water  

• Gently wet the pet’s coat  

• Gently lather in the shampoo

• Rinse  

• Apply conditioner  

• Rinse again  

Drying your pet after a bath:  

• Allow your pet to shake off any excess water (most dogs will instinctively do this anyway!)  

• Use a large absorbent towel to pat dry your pet to get most of the water out 

• If your pets coat is quite thick and they can’t comfortably air dry using a hairdryer is a good option - just make sure you always have it on a low setting and use it at least 30cm away from their coat. 

How to brush your pet's coat 

Brushing your pet regularly in between baths will help keep their coat healthy and prevent matting. Guidelines as to frequency are as follows:  

Grooming your pet's coat 

Seeing a professional groomer may or may not be on your list depending on the breed of your pet. Some breeds require regular grooming and trims between professional grooming sessions to help maintain hygiene and prevent matting and irritation.  

Tips for grooming your pet:  

• Only attempt this at home if your pet is calm and make it a positive experience for them 
• Never use pointy scissors, only blunt or round ended to avoid injuring your pet 
• Use food treats to help associate trimming with positive rewards  

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