Grooming Supplies

April 9, 2009 by admin
Filed under grooming supplies

In today's tough economic times, people are cutting expenses wherever they can and doing your own dog grooming is a great way to save money and spend quality time with your pet. Not only do you save on grooming fees and the cost of driving around town, you'll also save on vet fees by having a healthier, happier pet.

The first step is to assemble everything you'll need for the complete process and have it all ready to go. Having everything at hand will make things easier on your dog and easier on you.

The first thing you need is a large plastic or metal tub. Wet dogs are going to shake, so I like to bathe my dog out on the patio to avoid a mess in the house and that's why I use a large plastic tun set on a sturdy patio table. Having the dog up at waist height keeps me from bending over and makes the job much easier.

Bath time is also the time to check and trim nails so you will want a good pair of clippers or one of the new electric grinding type trimmers. Always trim nails in a well lighted place so you can look closely and clearly see the nail bed (quick).

Every dog owner needs at least one good pet brush as regular brushing is important for you dog's health. Not only does brushing remove loose hair, it also stimulates the skin and removes dander. Regular brushing will also minimize shedding and help keep your home free of loose pet fur. Be sure to pick a brush with rubber tipped bristles to protect the skin and find one that matches the size of your pet. Use a smaller, softer brush for grooming the face and ears.

Fur Rake - These are usually metal toothed and are used to brush out the matted hair that long haired dogs often get. The sooner you can get to matter hair, the better it is so that is another reason to brush your dog often. A good dematting rake will work much better than a comb for removing mats and is the tool of choice for professional groomers.

A good bath and shampoo is the foundation of the grooming process, but human shampoos and conditioners are not designed for pets and will often cause allergies and skin reactions. Always use a shampoo specially formulated for dogs, preferably one with all natural ingredients and no harsh detergents.

I think we all naturally set aside a couple of towels just for pet use. They are must have items for drying off your buddy after a bath or after being in the rain, but you won't want to use your good family bath towels, so be sure to keep fido's towels in their own place.

If you're going to trim your dog's fur, you need a good set of power clippers. Hand clippers take too long, especially in novice hands so invest in a good set of power clippers - you'll be glad you did.

Grooming your dog can be a very rewarding experience for both you and your pet. This type of direct interaction strengthens the bonds between the two of you and helps your pet feel safe and secure as well as keeping him clean and healthy. The time and money you save is really just a bonus!