6 Ways to Keep Your Pet Fresh Between Grooms

There are many memes and jokes about how all of our hair, nails, and eyebrows will look after the COVID-19 Stay At Home order is over, but what about our dogs? While we all may have...relaxed...our own grooming and hygiene standards lately, that doesn’t mean our furry friends have to follow suit. Help your pets feel a little more like the glamorous stars they are with these tips from our grooming staff. And we very much look forward to getting them runway ready once we’re able to return to work!

Brush Your Dog’s Coat Daily

Regular brushing helps remove dirt, prevents matting, and keeps your dog’s coat looking fresh. Imagine what your hair would look like without brushing it regularly? While we’re all stuck at home, be sure to extend the need for a groom by brushing with a slicker brush daily. The goal is to prevent matting as matting isn’t just unattractive, it can become uncomfortable for your pet and irritate their skin.

Give Your Pup a Pawdicure

Regular nail trims are extremely important for your dogs. Nails that are too long can cause broken nails, discomfort and even leg injuries. It is important to use dog nail clippers designed just for pet nails, go slow, and BE PATIENT. Our pups know our mood all too well, so make sure you are calm and happy whenever you attempt nail trims. Our Grooming team recommends doing one foot or one nail a day - whatever you both can manage - and, of course, ending with treats to make it a positive experience.

If the thought of clipping your dog’s nails is too intimidating, a filing tool such as a Dremel is another great option. Our expert team has found that pets are often more relaxed when using this tool.

If all else fails, be sure to go for plenty of walks on hard surfaces. This can help the nails naturally file down, while providing some much needed outdoor time for you both.

Here is a tutorial with great tips on how to trim nails

Pay Attention To Their Eyes and Ears

Some dogs need regular cleaning of their ears and potentially eyes as well. If you notice your dog has discharge or eye crusties, not only are these unattractive, but they can lead to skin irritation and discomfort.

Some dogs have naturally healthy, clean ears, but if you notice an odor or a lot of dirt in your pup’s ears, they may need attention. Maintenance is key! Simply use a cotton ball dipped in warm water (think damp, not wet) and dab the eyes and ears. These small steps can make a world of difference in your dog’s eyes and ears!

A Nice Soak

A little tub time can help lengthen the time between grooms. Most dogs only need monthly baths. Be sure to brush your dog before the bath and avoid bathing altogether if your pet has mats, as the bath can do more harm than good since mats can hold moisture, leading to skin irritation. Because a dog’s skin is much more sensitive than a human’s, use lukewarm water and shampoo designed for dogs. Make sure to use a small amount of shampoo, work it into a lather, and then massage the shampoo all over the dog, avoiding the eyes and ear canal. Allow them to dry thoroughly!

Keep Their Pearly Whites Shining

Not only does regular dental care keep your dog’s teeth clean and bright, it can prevent periodontal disease and help keep their breath smelling fresh. When brushing your dog’s teeth, make sure you use a toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. You can supplement regular brushing with a chew stick or other dental treat, but you should aim to brush your dog’s chompers at least 2-3 times a week.

Praise and Treats

While some of our pups may enjoy a good spa day, our more rough and tumbles may prefer the mud! This should be a positive experience for you both so be sure to use as much praise as possible and treat often to positively condition and reinforce good behavior!

 

These steps can help your pets get through their Wags spa withdrawal and will make their next spa experience all the more pleasant. We very much look forward to making your pets feel their red carpet ready selves soon!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at wags@wagsworthmanor.com. We’re happy to answer any questions and continue to help from afar as best we can.
We miss you and your pups!