Grooming You to Groom Your Pet

I go to the hair salon every six weeks for a two-hour long process of coloring and cutting that keeps me looking like the truly awesome person that I am.  I don't just mention this because I am vain, but because I'm honest about the ridiculous amount of upkeep some of us prescribe for ourselves.  It costs much less time and money to do the same for our pets, so please take the time regularly bathe and groom them.

Ninja Turtle Poodle!  (Cracked.com)

For the small breed dog, many pet stores and animal-specific grooming parlors offer such services for your friend.  At All Pet Supplies, they charge around $25-35 for breed-specific "hairdo" that may so desire.  With this fee, they bathe, brush and cut your pet to perfection.  Many grooming places offer a simple wash, dry and toenail cut for a minimal fee, too.

For those of us who don't have the funds for this, I would like to recommend a few grooming tools for different coats that will make the experience worthwhile for you and Rover (or cat-Rover):

Valuepetsupplies.com

1.  Short-haired dogs:  There is a brush called a Zoom Groom that has just about changed my life.  It's a small rubber brush that can be used on wet or dry fur.  What it does is pull on all of the loose hair that are no longer connected to the skin.  These are all of the obnoxious hairs that will endlessly litter your living room.  Using this brush once or twice a week outside on Frankie has reduced his shedding more than any food or shampoo could ever do.

Leerburg.com

2.  Long-haired dogs:  Any simple "raking" comb works wonders.  Most long-haired dogs (and even water-intended dogs like Labradors) have a thick, woolly undercoat that makes their appearance bushy and unkempt.  This rake is about the only thing that will penetrate the undercoat and pull out the loose hairs while untangling the rest of the coat.  Aces.

3.  Cats:  Ollie is medium-haired, but I still use the rubber brush on her.  Cat generally hate to be brushed, but rubber spines massage her while the process is going on, so she usually ends up purring and rolling over.  I also use a fine-toothed comb (great for untangling wiry-coated dogs like Jack Russells) to pull out tangles in her armpits and tail. 


When you bathe them, use a shampoo (I love Pet Head) that contains oatmeal to sooth their skin and keep it from drying out.  One the includes lanolin, too, helps with a shiny coat.  For white dogs, there are also brightening shampoos that help bring out the natural color and keep the white from yellowing too quickly.  Though there are many to choose from, I don't often waste my time using a conditioner while they are still in the tub.  Instead, I buy a detangling spray and spritz while brushing. 

Unless you have particularly messy dogs, you shouldn't bathe them more then two or three times a month.  Their ph-Balance is different than humans, so it takes a lot longer for the oils to build back up in the skin.  If you bathe too often, you will end up with a dried out, itchy, miserable mutt.  

He thought he was completely hidden...

As for nail trimming?  I won't tell you it's easy because Frankie acts like we are going to execute him every time the clippers come out, but it is possible.  Some dogs will lie calmly and let you go at it, but even then, you need to know what you are doing.  No matter how long their nails are, the nerve (or quik) grows with it.  Therefore, cutting them too short may result in a a gusher.  For animals with clear nails, you can see the quik, so don't cut past it.  For animals with black nails, use a careful precision and a prayer.  

Follow these guidelines, use the tools and enjoy your pet!