How to Groom Your Dog
3) Splish Splash, Don’t Forget About the Bath
Under normal situations, your dog should be bathed every three months. If your dog likes to dig and roll in the mud or if you live in a hot and dry climate, more frequent bathing is a good idea. Cats should only be bathed if they are extremely dirty or stinky. Follow these steps for a safe, fast and painless bath time for your pampered pooch or kitty.
* Always use a mild shampoo that is made for pets.
* Brush your pet, using the guidelines above, BEFORE bathing.
* Place a rubber mat inside the tub or shower where you will be bathing your pet. This keeps your pet steady and cuts down on the slipping and sliding.
* If you are washing your pet inside a bathtub, fill the tub with about 2-3 inches of water (less if you have a small pet). This will help loosen the dirt in the pads on the animal’s paws.
* If your pet likes to play in the water and won’t sit still, try placing a toy in the water to direct the attention of your pet. Still won’t keep still? Try a chew toy or bone.
* Use a spray hose to wet your pet.
* Massage shampoo gently into your pet’s coat. Start at the head and work your way down to the tail and then down the legs, front and then back. Your pet should always know where you are. Remember to make sure that your pet is completely comfortable. A gentle touch and positive verbal reinforcement will keep your pet at ease.
* Thoroughly rinse your pet and avoid getting water into the ears, eyes and nose.
* Check your pet’s ears for odor and dirt. If either is present, dampen a cotton ball or cloth with hydrogen peroxide or mild soap. Rub the cotton ball or cloth gently inside the ear to remove the dirt, making sure to avoid the inner ear canal.
* Dry your pet with a towel. If you do use a blow dryer, keep the dryer on a low level of heat and do not place the dryer too close to the animal’s body.
4) Your Pet Likes Mani’s and Pedi’s Too!
If you think it was tough to give your dog a bath, just wait till you try to clip his or her nails. If cats are not de-clawed, even if they have a scratching post, sharp claws can, and should, be trimmed. Dogs, especially indoor dogs, will need to have routine maintenance of their nails. Beware; your pet may become hostile when you attempt to cut their nails as this is a sensitive, and often ticklish, part of the animal’s body.
* Before you trim your pet’s nails for the first time, spend some time with your pet getting them accustomed to having their legs, feet and toes touched. Rub your hand up and down the legs, one at a time and then slowly touch the foot. Work on massaging each of the toes. It may take a while to have your pet accept you doing this, but it is imperative that it takes place before the first nail clipping.
|
Email this Article
Print this Article
(Rate this article)