Grooming Dogs at Home

Grooming is an integral part of dog care. This job can be easily accomplished at home by using dog grooming tools. Dog owners need to understand that grooming dogs at home is no more an uphill task, and there is no need to go to a salon to groom a dog. Regularly grooming the dog at home should be given utmost priority to keep the dog's health in optimal condition. Dogs that are groomed on a regular basis generally have a healthier coat. Grooming dogs yourself will also help you to find out whether your pet is suffering from any health problem.

There are different dog grooming equipment available in the market, and each one is designed for a specific purpose keeping in mind the individual needs of the dog. All these tools do a great job of grooming dogs at home. With the advent of dog grooming equipment, today dog owners no longer find it difficult to upkeep their pets at home itself. Some of the grooming tools that make 'grooming dogs yourself' a simple task are given below:

Brushing is an important part of grooming which can be effectively done using a dog brush. Although there are a wide variety of brushes, the pin brush is commonly used to brush different dog breeds. In case brushing is not done for quite some time, the hair becomes entangled.

This is known as hair matting problem, which requires the use of different brushes such as a slicker, rake or a safari brush. These brushes are extremely useful to eliminate mats from the dog's hair without causing pain.

Whether your dog is long-haired or short-haired, brushing is essential to improve blood circulation and remove dirt, dust and dead hair from the coat. A brittle brush is a good choice for dogs with short hair. Prior to bathing, make sure to remove all the hair knots using the brush.

Daily brushing helps to keeps the dog's coat healthy and moreover the skin looks clean and is soft to touch. Although dogs shed hair every season, regular brushing can certainly help to cut down shedding to a great extent. In other words, the large quantity of hair that are lost during the shedding period can be brought under control, if you brush your pet daily.

Regular combing with long strokes in the direction of hair growth is essential for healthy skin and coat. Combing evenly distributes the natural oils in the skin, thus giving your pet a shiny lustrous coat. Depending upon the size of the comb's teeth, these tools are categorized into 3 types: small, medium and large.

Dogs with heavy undercoats need to be groomed with large tooth combs that have wider spacing between 2 adjacent teeth. Fine tooth combs are generally used on short-haired dogs and those having thin undercoats.

The fleas comb is extremely useful to trap and eliminate those unwanted pests from the coat. Combing and brushing long-haired dogs should be an everyday affair for pet owners. Whereas, short-haired dogs need to be groomed on a weekly basis.

This dog grooming equipment basically comes in 2 different types. The standard nail clippers are an excellent way to trim those nails, however, one can also use the guillotine style clipper. As nail clippers are manufactured in different sizes, you need to buy an appropriate size that is convenient to cut your pet's nails.

For instance, Great Dane is a breed of a dog whose nails are not only big but quite strong. In such a case, you will require a larger nail clipper. Whereas the nails of a Pomeranian dog are comparatively small. Some nail clippers are equipped with a guard that does not allow you to cut the nails too far.

Whichever nail clipper you choose, ensure that its edges are razor sharp. Using dull trimmers can potentially damage the nail. Playing with your pet that has long nails can seriously injury you. So, it is advised to trim your pet's nails whenever needed. Also, make sure that the dog is lying down and not looking at the paw when trimming nails.

This professional dog grooming equipment has become a necessary item for almost all dog owners. With the tables, grooming dogs at home has never been so easy. Dog grooming such as nail trimming or hair brushing can be indeed difficult if you don't have this item. A dog grooming table allows you to groom your dog in a comfortable position.

By simply standing or sitting, you won't be able to wash your dog properly. However, by placing your pet on the dog table, you can easily gain access to your pet's coat, ears, nails and eyes. Grooming the dog when it is on the floor is not easy, especially cutting the nails can be tedious.

The process of grooming has not only become simpler but also comfortable for both the animal and the dog owner, thanks to dog grooming tables.

The dog table elevates the position of your pet, which makes grooming easily manageable. Adjusting the height of the table that you find convenient for grooming your pet is also possible. Most of the dog grooming tables come with an arm or a noose that keeps your pet secure and steady while grooming.

The arm prevents your dog from falling off the table. Grooming tables come in a wide range of designs and models. Whether it is an electric, hydraulic or a stationary table, the item will make your work easy to perform.

Although, stationary tables are cheaper, adjusting the table legs manually can be a bit difficult. You also need to invest in a table that fits the size of your dog breed. A portable grooming table can be a good choice for mobile dog groomers. All these tables are sturdily constructed and last for years to come.

No matter what breed of dog you have, cleaning the teeth of your pet is equally important. So buying a high quality toothbrush and toothpaste only meant for dogs, and cleaning their teeth at least 2-3 times every week is important to keep dental problems at bay.

These tooth care dog grooming equipment can surely help to prevent gum problems. Toothpaste recommended for humans should not be used for cleaning the teeth of dogs. This is because dogs cannot spit or rinse, so it is likely that toothpaste will be swallowed by the dog.

It has been found that toothpaste containing fluoride are harmful to the dog, and as we all know fluoride is an important ingredient of human toothpaste.

Finger toothbrush made from high quality rubber, provide a safe, hassle free way to clean your pet's teeth. You need to just insert your finger into the hollow handles of the toothbrush and then start cleaning his teeth. This is basically a finger glove having bristles on it.

As the bristles are super soft, your pet will be extremely comfortable and would not cause any hindrance to this hygienic activity. Do not be in a hurry while brushing your pet's teeth as the dog may get annoyed and bite you. Instead, slowly and gently begin rubbing his teeth.

In case, your pet does not trouble you while pursuing this task, make sure to appreciate this good conduct. For the giant and the large dog breed, the finger toothbrush is often helpful. However, if you are not confident about the behavior of your dog, while cleaning his teeth, avoid the finger toothbrush and purchase the standard toothbrush.

There are days when your pet shows some sort of resistance while brushing. In such situations, it may not be possible to brush all his teeth in one go. For optimum results, brush your pet's teeth alternatively.

Dog ear cleaning solutions provide an easy way to take care for common ear problems in dogs. The Epi-Otic or Oti-Clens are some of the popular cleaning solution that are available at various pet stores. These ear cleaning agents are non-toxic and effective to loosen the accumulated wax. A solution containing almond oil often works to remove earwax.

For cleaning the ear, firstly hold the ear flap and using a glass dropper put 3-4 drops of recommended solution into the ear canal. Now, using your thumb slowly massage the base of the thumb.

In most cases, after putting those ear drops, dogs shake their head vigorously, which should be encouraged as it helps to dislodge the trapped debris. Wait for 30 seconds and tilt your dog's head so that the solution comes out of the ear canal.

With a cotton ball attached to the tip of the hemostat (a surgical instrument), try to remove the debris from the ear. Make sure you do not push the instrument to not more than half an inch into the ear canal. You can also use a ear cleaning pad or a soft cloth to wipe out the wax.

Today shampoos available in the market contain minerals and vitamins that provide healthier skin. It removes dirt and other debris as well strengthens the existing hair. Bathing with a recommended dog shampoo can play a significant role to improve the health of your pet's skin.

Problems associated with the skin such as itching, fleas, scratching and stinking can be effectively reduced using these skin care products. Shampoos that are free from chemicals and contain natural ingredients are gentle on the skin and cause no harm.

When bathing your pet, ensure that water or the shampoo does not enter the ears, nose and the eyes. However, you can use a moist washcloth to clean the face and the inside of the ear. Frequently shampooing the dog can make the skin dry. So, a a time period of minimum 8 weeks is recommended between every bathing session.

After giving a bath to your dog, you can dry the dog as early as possible using dryers. The dryers blow warm air that can comfortably dry long-haired and heavy coated dogs within no time. This equipment comes in different models such as hand dryers, cabinet dryers, and the cage dryers. These dryers are very much capable to expel water from their coat in less time.

This dog grooming equipment provides a convenient way to clean your dog at home. With a bathtub, you can massage your pet properly to remove the dirt trapped in the skin. This practical dog grooming equipment ensures that your dog is comfortable during the bathing process. Dog bathtubs have a large-sized drain and a proper discharge line that prevents clogging. These bathtubs are durable, easy to clean, and come in handsomely finished colors.

A dog cage, also known as a dog crater, is an enclosed space that protects your pet from dangerous items like poison and electrical wires. When there is no one at home, a dog crater is the safest place where your pet can reside comfortably. When not in use, these cages can be folded for easy storage.

These grooming equipment are available in different sizes. Each crater is designed keeping in mind the size of the dog breed. These cages are made from superior quality heavy gauge mesh, and their construction is durable and long-lasting.

The mesh is galvanized and polished for an attractive finish. Some of these cages can be assembled and de-assembled within seconds that make them portable.

Going to a salon every time to groom your dog can be an expensive affair. Now, though grooming is necessary to keep your dog clean, fresh, looking good, and away from all dog illnesses, grooming dogs at home by purchasing good quality dog grooming equipment, is certainly a better option and will surely won't burden your pocket.