You are not alone if, when you think of pet grooming, you immediately picture a fluffy poodle poof or a parade of fancy dogs vying for best in show. However, regular grooming is more than just an exercise in vanity, the tasks are essential for your pet’s health and wellbeing. Unless your pooch is headed to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, you can and should perform many of your pet’s basic grooming tasks at home. Follow our Family Pet Care team’s guide to grooming your pet at home. 

Benefits of grooming your pet at home 

When you take care of your pet’s grooming needs, you both benefit. While some tasks are best left to the professionals, at-home grooming provides you and your pet the following benefits:

  • Strengthens your bond — When you groom your pet, you provide them with physical contact, attention, and affection that strengthens the pet-owner bond. 
  • Improves health — Regular grooming helps minimize common pet health problems such as skin issues, nail injuries, and ear infections. 
  • Identifies health issues — By grooming your pet at home, you may detect potential health issues as soon as they emerge. During grooming sessions, you can check your pet’s skin, coat, ears, eyes, and teeth for any problems. When you detect a potential health issue early in the disease process, you can seek your pet’s veterinary care promptly, which can improve your pet’s overall wellbeing and prevent more severe health problems from developing.

Cleaning your pet’s ears

Your pet’s ears can be a yeast and bacteria breeding ground, and routine ear cleanings can help prevent your pet from developing ear infections because you remove waxy debris and promote a healthy pH. While cleaning your pet’s ears, you can also check for infections, pain and inflammation, and mites. Soak a cotton ball in veterinarian-recommended ear cleaning solution, and gently wipe inside your pet’s ear canal in a circular motion to dislodge any debris. Allow your pet to shake their head, and avoid going too deep into the ear canal, sticking to the parts you can easily see. 

Brushing your pet’s teeth

Good oral hygiene is critical for your pet’s overall health, and toothbrushing is the best method for keeping their mouth clean. Dental disease is common in pets, and daily toothbrushing can significantly reduce your pet’s risk. To acclimate your pet to toothbrushing, start by offering them a taste of pet-safe toothpaste and gently wipe some under their lip. Then, gradually introduce a toothbrush designed for pets. Use a gentle brushing motion on all tooth surfaces, including the back molars. After toothbrushing, praise and reward your pet for a job well done.

Caring for your pet’s coat

A well-groomed coat is more than just aesthetically pleasing. By grooming your pet’s coat, you help prevent matting, reduce shedding, and promote skin health by distributing the fur’s natural oils. To brush your pet effectively, choose the right brush for your pet’s fur type. A slicker brush is best for long-haired pets, while a bristle brush works well for short-haired breeds. Brush in the hair growth’s direction, and be gentle to avoid irritating your pet’s skin. Gently detangle any matted areas by wetting the hair and teasing apart the mat, starting at the outer edge. 

Bathing your pet

Less is more when bathing your pet. Overbathing can strip your pet’s skin of natural oils, causing dryness and irritation. Bathing frequency depends on your pet’s lifestyle, coat type, and any skin condition. Always use pet-specific shampoo, because shampoo for humans can disrupt your pet’s skin pH balance. To make the bathing experience less stressful for your pet, offer treats and use a soothing voice tone to help ensure your pet remains calm. Rinse your pet thoroughly, as residual shampoo can cause skin irritation.

Trimming your pet’s nails

Nail trimming is often the most intimidating part of at-home grooming. Trimming your pet’s nails can be nerve-wracking because cutting them too short can lead to bleeding. The good news is that with some patience and practice, nail trimming becomes easier. To keep your pet calm, introduce them to the clippers gradually and offer plenty of treats and praise. Avoid cutting the quick, the pinkish part inside the nail that contains blood vessels. If you cut too close to the quick and cause bleeding, apply a pinch of cornstarch or flour to the exposed nail and press firmly to stop the bleeding. 

Expressing your pet’s anal glands

We’ve come to the tail end of our grooming guide—literally and figuratively. Many pets involuntarily express their anal glands, but some pets need their owners to express the glands manually. If your pet is scooting on their bottom or excessively licking the area, they may need their anal glands expressed. Our team does not recommend expressing your pet’s anal sacs (i.e., anal glands) at home. Incorrect technique can cause your pet pain or serious harm. Our team is trained to perform this task safely and effectively. 

Grooming your pet from nose to tail at home is good for their health and the bond you share. However, certain grooming tasks may require professional help. If you have any grooming questions or would like to have your pet’s nails trimmed or anal glands expressed, don’t hesitate to contact our Family Pet Care team. Happy grooming!Nose-to-Tail Tips for Grooming Your Pet at Home