Unfortunately, due to COVID, many places have shut down, including pet groomers. Just because the groomer is closed doesn’t mean your pet stops needing groom services all of a sudden. So how do you groom your pet at home?

Brushing

A great way to take care of your pet’s coat is by brushing it! Brushing is beneficial to both cats and dogs. Think of their coats like your hair. If you don’t brush it regularly, it becomes tangled, messy, and dirty. The same happens to animal’s coats. Think of cats, for example. Cats do clean themselves, but a lack of brushing can lead to more hairballs. No one wants to clean those up. Brushing also allows healthy oils to move, improving both their skin and coat. Not only are you keeping their skin healthy but decreasing the chances of cleaning up hairballs.

Dogs also require consistent brushing. Just like cats, this allows their healthy oils to move about their skin and coat. This will help your dog’s coat shine and decrease the chance of dandruff. What dog owners don’t realize is that sometimes things get caught in your pup’s coat when they’re outside. This can lead to irritation. Brushing is an excellent way to clean your dog’s coat without having to bathe them!

Bath

When you take your dog to the groomer, they will likely get a bath. Your groomer will use shampoo to deep clean their coats, leaving them shiny and healthy. Bathing your dog is something that people like to leave to groomers, but you might not have that choice. So instead, look towards your sink, bathtub, or shower! The size of your dog will depend on where to bathe them. If you have smaller breeds like Chihuahuas, Yorkies, or Pomeranians, the sink will work well. Any other size dog should opt for the tub or shower. Before getting your dog wet, make sure to test the water, so it isn’t too hot. You don’t want to burn them. Scrub all over with shampoo and conditioner, then rinse! Prepare yourself for the post-bath shake, and make sure to have a few towels on hand.

Very rarely will a cat allow you to bathe them in water. If your cat doesn’t like water but needs a bath, there’s another option. Most pet stores sell water-free shampoo for cats, meaning you don’t need any water for it to work! They typically come in foams, so all you have to do is pump a bit in your hand. Once you have the right amount, gently massage it into your cat’s coat. You can help them afterward by brushing through the foam. Cats will take it from there by cleaning their coat themselves, and before you know it, they’ll be clean!

For more tips on how to groom your pet at home, contact Andes-Straley online here!