How to groom your pet at home

Grooming your pet isn’t just about making sure their skin and coat is in tip-top condition. It’s also about bonding. Regularly grooming your pet - bathing, brushing and combing them - gives you plenty of opportunities for quality time together. Pets thrive on love and attention, which daily or weekly grooming gives them. Plus, they’ll be sure to show you how much they appreciate your efforts with plenty of purrs and doggy kisses.

How to bathe your pet

How often you bathe your pet depends on how active they are. The less they’re outside getting muddy (and smelly, let’s be honest), the less often they need a bath. For most dogs, a weekly wash with a quality dog shampoo and conditioner will do the trick. Or be guided by your nose. When they start to smell a bit stinky, it’s time for the tub. Or if your a bit short on time a dry shampoo or wipes can help freshen their coat.

Some dogs don’t need washing very often. Normally this is because they’ve got a short coat that doesn’t shed much. Low maintenance dog breeds include beagles, boxers and greyhounds.

Cats need less bathing than dogs do, if at all.

Here’s how to make bath-time more enjoyable for you all:

• Grab everything you need, including pet shampoo and conditioner, a small cup or bowl and a kitchen sponge, and lay a large towel on the floor.
• Start by washing from behind their ears. Although pets’ water temperature preference will vary, their tolerance is nearer a baby’s than an adult human’s. So if it feels comfortable for you, it should be comfortable for them.
• Work backwards towards their tail, saving their face for last.
• Mix pet shampoo with some warm water in a cup or bowl then use a kitchen sponge to apply it to their coat. This makes sure the shampoo is evenly distributed throughout their coat.
• Rinse them off, starting with their face this time.
• Apply a pet conditioner like you did with the shampoo.
• Rinse the conditioner off, starting with their face again.
• Rinse again! Aim to rinse your pet twice as shampoo or conditioner left in their coat can attract dirt, irritate their skin and cause tangles.
• Dry them off. Although short-haired pets can be left to air-dry, it can cause fungus to grow in between their paw pads and other places. Letting long-haired pets air-dry can cause their fur to mat. It’s best to gently towel dry your pet (avoid vigorous rubbing) and then use a hair dryer with warm air on the highest speed setting.

Read more about caring for Double Coated dogs and How to pick the right shampoo for your dog

How to clip your pet’s nails or claws

It’s important to keep your dog’s nails clipped. As well as protecting your floors and furniture, it helps prevent ingrown nails and infections. Aim to clip your dog’s nails about once a month. Trim cat's claws when needed, the need for this might increase as they age. Use a pair of quality nail clippers or claw sissors that will be strong enough to cut through your dog’s nails or cat's claws.

Here are some tips for successful nail or claw clipping:

• Find a quiet spot where your pet feels relaxed, like their bed or on the sofa. Pets can find nail or claw clipping stressful so it makes sense to put them at ease.
• Use plenty of treats to distract and reward your dog or cat for staying calm and still. Plus, using treats helps them associate nail or claw clipping time with being rewarded with delicious treats.
• Snip the tip of the nail or claw at a slightly forward angle. Be firm so that you get a nice clean cut and only have to do it once.
• Avoid the quick. This is the centre of the nail where the nerves and blood supply to the nail sits. Not only does cutting it hurt your pet, but it bleeds a lot and can be hard to stop. The quick is easier to spot in pets with light coloured nails or claws. To avoid cutting it, only take small snips at a time. You could also use a grinding tool rather than clippers.

Read more about nail care for your dog here and claw care for your cat here.

How to brush your pet

Brushing your pet has heaps of benefits. Not only is it bonding time, but regular brushing removes loose hair and prevents tangles. For some pets, especially long-haired ones, you’ll need to brush every day. Others only need weekly or even monthly brushing.

You first need to make sure you’ve got the right tools for the job. Long-haired pets do best with a slicker brush as it gets rid of loose hair. After brushing, use a rake or comb for your dog or cat to gently detangle the fur. Got a knot the comb can’t get through? Keep going over it with the brush until it loosens and the comb can move freely through it.

Short-haired pets are best suited to a grooming brush or glove for dogs or cats as their fur doesn’t tangle.

When brushing your pet, don’t just focus on the top layer of their coat - aim to brush from the skin to the tips of the hair, all over their body. Focus on brushing:

• Behind the ears.
• Where their collar sits on their coat.
• The areas under their front and rear legs.
• Paws.
• Where the tail comes in contact with the fur on the rear legs.

You might also find that you need to step up the grooming when your dog or cat starts shedding a couple times of year with the change in seasons. A deshedding tool can help remove all that extra loose fur.

How to trim your pet’s fur

When it comes to grooming your pet, the best thing you can do is keep your pet’s coat clean, brushed, combed and tangle-free. That way, a professional groomer can give your pet the cut you’re after. Basically: leave the trimming and cutting to the professionals.

If you feel confident and comfortable enough, maintenance trimming can be ok. This means if you spot any hair that’s grown too long over the eyes or around their bottom or paws. Rounded-tip trimming scissors can keep you and your pet safe as you do this.

We hope this guide helps ensure your pet is clean, sweet-smelling and looking their best! If you need any further help or have a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.

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