The Importance Of Grooming Your Pet

Is your dog or cat looking a little on the scruffy side? Do they look like they may be letting themselves go? Well, pet care doesn’t start and end with feeding and walking your pet. Grooming is another important activity that needs to be put into action when you have a four-legged family member.

Grooming your pet is one task that can often be overlooked. A lot of pet parents don’t seem to include grooming in their daily routine. This is surprising considering we love them so much. 

Grooming Your Pet

Quite often though, because our pets can be seen grooming and preening themselves. We might think that this is enough but unfortunately it is not. Grooming your pet is not only an essential activity but it can also have some great advantages. Both you and your pet can benefit from it. 

It is an excellent way of bonding and spending some one-on-one time with your dog or cat. Building the trust between you both and letting them know you will always protect them. You should work grooming your pet into your schedule. Make it as relaxing as possible so that your pet has something to look forward to. A great tip is, to groom your dog after its walk. As it will be tired and in a relaxed mode which should make it easier.

If you start by allowing your cat or dog to smell and play with the tools you intend to use. This should make them feel more comfortable when you take them out for grooming. Another great piece of advice is to start off slowly, speaking to them in soft tones to reassure them. When you feel they are comfortable you can gradually increase the time you spend grooming them. Reward them for good behaviour and keep their favourite toy or blanket close by.  

What Is The Negative Impact Of Not Grooming Your Pet?

When not taken care of. Fur can become matted, and depending on its length, knots can form which become difficult to comb out. Resulting in the fur becoming increasingly heavy, pulling on their skin which can then lead to infection.

It is important to brush or comb your pet’s fur. As this will result in healthy hair growth. Along with removing all the old and damaged hair. This will also air their coat, keeping it well ventilated, and giving it the opportunity to breathe. 

We have an excellent selection of grooming tools for both cats and dogs. Designed to suit the different needs of your dogs or cats. If you are unsure where to start. Then why not call one of our stores and speak to our team of experts. That can advise you on what might be best suited to your four-legged family member.

Furminator Curry Comb

This can be used on both cats and dogs and is an excellent tool for the removal of dust and loose fur. The comb is made up of rubber teeth which are a great way to stimulate the production of natural oils. Which help to keep their coat healthy.  Made from anti-microbial plastic, this will help keep germs and bacteria to a minimum. 

Furminator Undercoat De-Shedding Tool

An extremely popular tool amongst dog and cat parents. This de-shedder can help reduce shedding by ninety percent in dogs, reaching deep under your pet’s topcoat. It is available in a variety of sizes to suit all the different breeds of dogs. For example, large long-haired dogs, short long-haired dogs, or medium short-haired dogs. The selection for cats is suitable for a wide variety of different cats. Including medium to large cats with short hair or a small cat with long hair etc.

Rosewood  Soft Protect Porcupine Brush

One of our best-selling brushes is suitable for very thick and untidy coats. With a combination of soft and hard bristles, this brush is great for removing loose, old, and damaged hair. As well as reducing the number of tangles that can build up in your dog’s coat. 

Rosewood Soft Protection Cat Brush

Not every cat enjoys being groomed but this Rosewood soft brush will make grooming feel more relaxing with the brush’s soft bristles and with a comfortable grip on the handle it should glide easily through your cat’s fur causing no discomfort. This is a great brush for removing tangles and old fur.

Grooming Your Pet – Bathing Your Pet

Brushing should be the first step in your pet’s grooming routine, when all the excess and unwanted hair has been combed out it is time to take the next step but remember, not all family members will enjoy this activity. 

Bathing… it is extremely rare that your cat will need bathing but there are some instances when a good wash cannot be avoided. For example, if your cat rolls in thick mud, foxes waste, or toxic spillages then the only way to remove this is to wash them with water and a cat-friendly shampoo. If your cat has come into contact with chemicals then calling your local vet would be the first call of action as they may advise you to bring your feline friend to the practice for an examination. 

Before and during the time of bathing your cat may be extremely stressed out, try to create a relaxing environment having all the necessary tools at hand. If at all possible avoid soaking their whole body, only targeting the area that requires cleaning. 

It is very rare to find a cat rolling around in the mud, playing in the sand, or swimming in the sea, however, the same cannot be said for dogs. These four-legged friends love nothing more than running around and quite often getting themselves into a mess which then results in them needing a wash. 

Can You Groom Your Pet Too Much?

There is such a thing as overwashing your dog, this is something to be mindful of because washing your dog too much could result in their natural oils being washed away, drying out their skin and if your pooch is on any external treatment plans then washing too much could remove this making them vulnerable to infection. It is worth talking to your local vet for any advice on bathing because it also varies for each different breed. On average it is suggested that your dog should be washed every four weeks. 

If it’s your first time, consider where in the house you might want to wash your dog and try to continue to wash your dog in this same space each time so it can associate the space with being bathed. Put towels or non-slip mats down to avoid any slipping as your dog may become stressed. Reward good behaviour with treats and praise.

Make sure you use dog-friendly products when washing their coat. At petplace we have a wide range of stock to keep your dog smelling, shining, and feeling good. 

Animology Puppy Love

This best-selling dog-friendly shampoo is our most popular dog shampoo. Not only is it gentle enough to use on sensitive skin it also smells delicious and keeps your puppy nice and clean. With Pro-Vitamin B5 it will help keep your dog’s coat in perfect condition whilst keeping washing to a minimum. 

Mountain Garden Botanics Pet Shampoo Bar

With a variety of different dog-friendly shampoo bars, why not try one of Mountain Garden Botanic’s shampoo bars. This beautifully packed and locally sourced handmade shampoo has been individually made using homegrown botanicals which are packed with nourishing oils created by a real animal lover who believes your dogs deserve nothing but the best. This product is not only great for your dog but also good for the environment. 

Animology Dirty Dawg No Rinse Shampoo

For some dogs, getting into a tub of water, a bath, or a shower is not an option. Perhaps your dog has a fear of water, maybe something happened to them in their first home or shelter to scare them. Fear not, we have the solution with Animology’s No Rinse Shampoo. Designed to help out those dog parents who can’t get their pet pooch into water or for those who might be on the go and might be looking for a more convenient way to shampoo their dog. This shampoo loosens the dirt and debris within your dog’s coat making it easier to brush out. 

Why not make bathing time fun, we have dog washes in each of our stores. You could take them on a lovely walk which is sure to tire them out and then head over to one of our stores for bath time and then perhaps reward your dog with a treat on the journey home. Why not bring a friend, there is plenty of space in our dog washes to bring a pup pal depending on their size you may get more than two in. Everything we do with our dogs and cats should be fun and enjoyable, especially if it’s a first experience or something they aren’t used to. 

Grooming Your Pet – Over-Grooming 

Both cats and dogs can sometimes be found over-grooming themselves and as much as it’s great having a clean cat or dog, over-grooming can sometimes be a reason for concern. 

Look out for them focusing on one specific area because it may be the beginning of your pet’s obsession with over-grooming. This can result in hair loss which might lead to skin irritations or infections. 

If this is something that has caught your attention then contact your local veterinary practice who will offer you some advice on what steps to take next. 

Some of the reasons our pets may over-groom are due to stress, poor grooming, allergies, skin mites, and boredom. 

For pet parents that are nervous and unsure about where to start then why not book your four-legged family member into a grooming salon or your local vet. You can ask them to guide you through the process and give you many useful tips to make it easier when grooming at home. Especially when clipping their nails, this can be a little overwhelming, especially if this is your first time. 

If you need any further advice on grooming your pet, pop into one of our stores or contact us via our social channels – we’re always here to help!