Grooming is an essential part of pet healthcare and not all about making your pet look good. At Absolute Pets we believe wholeheartedly that prevention is better than cure. Quite simply, grooming your pet will improve their condition and hygiene, and thus prevent any unnecessary infections. It’s also a great way to make sure you’re the first to spot anything that might need a vet’s attention.
How and why should I wash my pet?
If your cat or dog starts to smell or they've been playing in the mud or dirt, it’s time for a wash.
- For some dogs, this can be every month.
- For cats, it’s probably only a few times a year.
As with most things, when it comes to grooming, don’t go overboard. Too much washing can affect the skin’s natural oils and condition.
If you are washing your pet yourself, here are a few tips:
- Wash your pet in a large bath or tub outside.
- Make sure you have pet-friendly shampoo on hand (the right shampoo will clean, soothe and nourish the skin).
- If your pet really hates a wash, there are products on the market that don’t require water which make the experience a little less unpleasant for them!
- Keep any shampoo away from your pet’s eyes.
- Make sure you rinse thoroughly and dry them!
These shampoos come highly recommended:
Looking for a professional groomer? Visit one of our pet spas
We currently have pet spas in Gauteng and Western Cape where you will find friendly and passionate groomers who have many years of experience grooming cats and dogs of all sizes, breeds and personalities. Find an Absolute Pets Pet Spa near you or chat to your vet about your pet’s grooming requirements.
Why and how often should I brush my pet?
Regularly brushing your pet’s coat is good for blood circulation and essential for good coat condition. It removes dead skin cells, aerates the coat and unclogs pores. For long-haired dogs, de-shedding helps to prevent mats which can be painful, difficult to remove and can lead to infections; for cats, grooming prevents hairballs.
For long-haired pets we suggest daily brushing and for more short-haired breeds, weekly.
These brushes come highly recommended:
Keeping those nails in good shape
If your dog’s nails seem too long, then you can also give them a careful cut but we recommend chatting to your vet before you do so. It can be quite technical, painful or require particular clippers. A pet’s 'claw' has blood vessels known as the 'quick' so you need to know how to avoid this area otherwise you can really hurt them. If you know your stuff, use a smooth action or cut a little at a time.
Don’t forget to brush their teeth!
Dental disease is one of the most common diseases diagnosed by vets and yet, one of the most frequently asked questions at vet check-ups is: “Do I really need to brush my cat or dog’s teeth?” The answer: YES, YES AND YES.
This is a technical aspect of pet healthcare, so head on over to our in-depth article on dental care or visit our website to view our range of pet dental products.
What do I need to know about cleaning my pet’s ears?
There are a few signs that it is time to clean your pet’s ears (or seek the advice of a vet). This includes your pet rubbing his or her ears, fluid seeping out or excess wax, dirt and grime or a smelly ear. A healthy ear should not smell and should be pink with a little clear or yellowish wax. Cleaning the ears is important as it can prevent nasty infections.
But remember, don’t over-do it. You need to check their ears regularly but you don’t need to clean them as regularly. You also shouldn’t use any type of instrument or earbud as you can cause damage.
The best way to clean your pet’s ears is to use a pet ear cleanser and clean cotton wool. You can either wipe their ear clean or for a more thorough cleanse, squirt a little cleanser into the canal and massage the canal (with the ear still up) for a few seconds.
Here are a few ear cleansing products to consider:
How to prevent those dark streak lines & clean my pet’s eyes?
You don’t want to leave any dirt around the eye area as it is so sensitive and can leave your pet more at risk of infection and irritation.
- Use a pet eyewash and clean soft cloth or cotton wool and administer it to the corner of the eye. This will help clean your pet’s eyes (including any tear stains) and offer some relief from irritation.
- If not an eye wash there are also special eye wipes for pets.
- If you suspect any infection, go straight to your vet!
My pet hates being groomed, help!
If your pet hasn’t been groomed from a very early age it may take some time for him or her to get used to it. Take baby steps, start slowly. You will need patience, a sense of humour and a lot of praise and healthy treats! Start by thinking of it as bonding time, don’t throw yourself into a full wash / brushing teeth / clipping nails the first time you think about grooming. Take it one step at a time.
Get in touch
Remember, we are here to help. Visit your local Absolute Pets store, find an Absolute Pets Pet Spa near you or get in touch with us online, or on Facebook.