Grooming Your Pets

Most animals can be taught to enjoy grooming at any age. Regular grooming will help you build and maintain healthy relationships with your pets, and practice gentle leadership skills. Another benefit of grooming is that you may notice a physical change that needs medical attention, something that might not have been obvious if you hadn’t been grooming your pet. If you find any lumps, bumps or soreness, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a checkup.

Here are some supplies that you might need for grooming:

• Shampoo that is appropriate for the age and species of your pet (kittens and puppies need gentle shampoo; very young animals need products free of harsh pesticides; and ferrets should have ferret shampoo)
• Large cup or small bucket containing water, to create a nice lather
• Cotton balls
• Ear cleaner
• Parasite-control products (ask your veterinarian about what is needed in your area for fleas, ticks and mites)
• Metal comb
• Brush (there are many styles to choose from: pin, rake, slicker, mitt or curry)
• Nail trimmers (find the best size for your pet’s nails)
• Nail file (some animals will actually sleep while their people file each toenail)
• Styptic powder (to use if you accidentally cut a nail too short)
• Ophthalmic ointment (used in the eyes to protect them from shampoo and debris)
• Detangler or conditioner (great for combing through long hair before a final rinse)
• Spray attachment for your shower (very helpful for rinsing your pet)
• A hair dryer (because some animals can chill easily, but be careful not to overheat the pet)
• Toothbrush and animal toothpaste
• Safety scissors for trimming hair
• Clippers (if you want to learn to style your pet)

One caution about clipping your pet: If you change the length of your pet’s natural coat, he/she will need protection from the cold and the sun. (Pets can get sunburned!) Also, some coats do not grow back well, so I recommend that you consult a professional groomer if you want your pet to wear an un-natural style.

Start the grooming process by gently touching all the animal’s body parts. If any parts seem sore, stop and schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a checkup. If your pet seems uncomfortable with your touch, remember that animals learn positive associations with repetition and praise. You will need to be a kind, gentle leader but remain firm in your intentions. The plan is to teach your pet to enjoy being groomed and to groom your pet on a regular basis, not just when the animal is matted or really dirty.

If you need help, you can start by accompanying your pet to a professional groomer for a lesson. Choose a groomer who is patient, gentle and kind. Most groomers are thrilled to meet people who want to work with their animals in between professional grooming visits.

Here are some specifics about various aspects of grooming:

Brushing. Brushing and combing should happen daily or at least several times each week, no matter what kind of coat your animal has. If you plan to give your pet a bath, do the brushing part first. Brushing and combing will feel good to your pet; it removes dead hair and tangles, and distributes natural skin oils. If the coat is thick, make sure you are combing all the way to the skin. Be gentle and patient, though; too much pressure on the skin can cause irritation called brush burn, and pulling the tangles will hurt if you try to hurry. A detangler can be used on dry hair to loosen any knots.