Dog Grooming At Home

If you want to avoid the high cost of the groomers, you will need to invest in good dog grooming equipment. Although the initial cost can be a little high, the long term savings of grooming your pet at home will astound you. Home dog grooming kits can run aware from $40.00 all the way up to $380.00. Of course the more you spend the more accessories you get. For the beginner, clippers and comb attachments should be sufficient. There are also kits available that come with a how-to video. If you are really unsure of yourself, you may want to invest in this type of kit.

Pet grooming does not always have to be performed by a professional groomer, it can also be done at home. If you are a do-it-your-self type person or just have limited funds, there are some safety tips you might want to keep in mind. Because the animal you are grooming is special to you, you want to keep the animal safe and calm. Any undue pain or injury can cause emotional stress to your animal and damage to the level of trust the pet may have with you. The following tips will help to ensure a safe and pleasurable grooming experience.

Although most pets don't like this, the excess hair in their ears must be clipped. The excess hair can build up moisture that will trap bacteria and cause ear infections. It can also be a breeding ground for ear mites. Either one of these can cause your pet a great deal of discomfort. A good indication that a dog has an ear problem is when the dog scratches and shakes their head. Mites can actually cause damage to their inner canal because they try to stick their nails inside their ears to scratch. Large eared dogs already have a predisposition for ear problems and can rupture blood vessels with continued shaking. An easy way to remove ear hair is by using nose hair trimmers.

A common mistake made by first time home groomers is to shave the animal all the way. This is ill advised if the animal is an outside pet, because the coat protects the animal from the cold and the sun. Both can cause serious skin damage which could lead to expensive veterinarian bills. A lack of hair can also cause rashes. The hair in some breeds secrete essential oils that protect and lubricate the skin, while others such as Labradors have two coats that serve different functions for the animals safety. Try to shave matted areas as close as possible and use a brush to work out the rest of the matted area. Even shaving just the matted areas to the skin will leave your pet in danger of the sun and wind.

If you are using clippers, you first want to brush the hair backwards against the grain and then move your clippers with the grain. The noise of the clippers may scare your dog, so stroke him with the other hand and offer soothing words to calm him. Some home grooming kits may have a variety of clipper comb lengths that can be used with the varying length and thickness of the coat. If this is your first time, you may want to experiment first in one unnoticeable area before continuing the entire job.

When shaving the underbelly of a female dog, beware the nipples. Remember to be equally careful when shaving the underbelly of male dogs. Home pet grooming is an inexpensive way to keep your pet healthy and happy. Just remember to take it slow your first few times. When you and your dog are more comfortable with the home grooming, you should be able to groom your dog professionally and at a much lower cost.

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