Top 10 Essential Dog Grooming Tips Every Pet Owner Should Know

Everyone wants their pup to look their very best each day, right? They’ll get showered with compliments to boost their little spirits, be more manageable during grooming times, and even be physically healthier. So why do owners still find this tough to manage? Dog Grooming doesn’t have to be a boss fight; let us give you a few cheat codes to make the process easier!

Tip #1: Get to know your dog’s coat

This’ll create the basis for all your grooming processes. Every dog has its own coat types and needs, so knowing your pup’s is key to a good groom. Smooth, wiry, curly, long, short…each has specific requirements.

Tip #2: Create a bathtime routine

Dog’s love a good schedule, so making sure that their grooming sessions follows routine is a smart way to help them stay calm during the process. Understand how often your dog needs a bath, learn what products will work best for their needs, and stick with that.

Read more: 7 Dog Grooming Tips for Looking Good and Staying Healthy

Tip #3: Tip-Top dog grooming tools

To do grooming at home, you’ll need good tools to get the job done. Hair clippers with safety guards, pro scissors, nail clippers or a dremel tool (whichever your pooch prefers), and brushes for your dog’s coats style are the tools of the trade that you’ll want to have on hand.

Tip #4: Follow the dog grooming process

Bathing a dog should follow a specific path: brush your dog to remove any loose hair and dead skin while you let the tub fill a few inches with lukewarm water, pop the dog in the tub and get them all watered (don’t get the water straight in their faces, though), get them shampooed from tip to tail (rinse and repeat until clean), then a little conditioner and a good dry with a towel or a dryer, and you’re all set!

Tip #5: Face cleaning

If you’ve got a pup with wrinkles or loose skin on their faces, then you’ll need to use cleaning cloths to get in there. Critters and bacteria can hide in those folds, so get them good and clean, then fully dried.

Tip #6: Brushing for fur type

With short, smooth coated dogs, try using a rubber brush once a week to get rid of dead skin and dirt, then follow with a bristle brush for dead fur. If your dog has a longer coat, then you may need to do daily brushing to prevent mats and fully disperse natural oils.

Tip #7: Fresh breath

Yes, you do need to take care of their little teefies a few times a week. Whether you use a toothbrush or chewers, keeping your dog’s teeth healthy will keep them healthier overall.

Tip #8: Paw care

Your pup’s paws are crucial to their health. Keeping their nails at a healthy length will prevent their paw’s bones from getting damaged. Keeping their paw pads nourished with prevent them from cracking and getting infected.

Tip #9: Trim time

If you want to trim your dog’s hair at home, the best time to do it is right after a bath. It’ll be tangle free and easier to manage.

Tip #10: Know when to get a pro

It’s important to know where your limit is. If you spot a skin issue, teeth problems, or anything out of the ordinary, get your little baby to the professionals and let them do the heavy lifting here.

While you can do a lot to care for your dog at home with these helpful tips, remember that you don’t have to go it alone. Prestonwood Kennels is here to help! As one of the best dog boarding facilities in north Houston, we can make grooming a breeze.