For many people, grooming your dog at home can be more cost-effective than bringing them to the groomer, while still maintaining the same professional level of care you’d get from a salon. Whether you’re looking to save money or simply have more time on your hands, the following at-home dog grooming tips can help you care for your pet in an efficient and effective manner at home. Remember, these are just general tips; always consult with your veterinarian if you have questions about how to best treat your dog’s specific issues and concerns!
Keep Your Pet Comfortable
1. Dogs have different comfort levels when it comes to grooming. Some dogs enjoy the process and others find it stressful. It’s important to know your dog’s personality and what will make him or her most comfortable during the grooming process.
2. If your dog is nervous, start by slowly acclimating him or her to the tools and equipment you’ll be using. Let your dog sniff and explore everything before you begin.
3. Make sure you have all the supplies you need on hand before you start grooming. This includes things like shampoo, conditioner, brushes, combs, and towels.
4. When you’re ready to start, begin with the head and work your way down the body.
Trim Nails and Cut Hair
One of the most important aspects of dog grooming is trimming your dog’s nails and cutting their hair. This can be done at home with a few simple tools. First, you’ll need a pair of nail clippers designed specifically for dogs. You’ll also need a sharp pair of scissors to cut your dog’s hair. To avoid accidentally cutting your dog’s skin, be sure to only cut the hair on their back and legs. You should also avoid cutting too close to the skin. Once you’ve trimmed your dog’s nails and cut their hair, you can move on to the next step in grooming: bathing.
Clean Ears, Eyes, Mouth and Teeth
Dogs need their ears cleaned on a regular basis to prevent ear infections. You can clean your dog’s ears with a cotton ball dampened with warm water or a mild dog ear cleaner. Be sure to never insert anything into your dog’s ear canal.
To clean your dog’s eyes, use a soft, damp cloth to wipe away any discharge. You can also use a dog eye wipe to remove tear stains. Be careful not to get any shampoo or soap in your dog’s eyes when you’re bathing them.
Mouth and teeth care are important for dogs, too! You should brush your dog’s teeth at least once a week using doggy toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Bath Time
Dogs need regular baths to keep their fur clean and healthy. But giving your dog a bath at home can be a messy process. Here are some tips to make bath time go smoothly
Keep Calm with Essential Oils
While your dog is being groomed, you may feel anxious about the process. This is normal! Dogs can sense when their owners are stressed, which in turn can make them anxious as well. To help keep both you and your dog calm during the grooming process, consider using essential oils. Lavender oil is especially calming and can be diffused in your home or applied topically to your skin before starting the grooming process.