Animals in the wild take care of their coats naturally – and so do our furry loved ones. But our fur babies don’t always do a great job of cleaning up. Any owner who has had their dogs zoom through muddy puddles will know just how messy things can be!
Brushing your pet is just as important as feeding them and making sure they have fresh, clean drinking water; it’s all part of being a responsible pet parent, helps your furry family members maintain a healthy coat.
Giving your cat or dog a regular brush has so many benefits:
- It helps remove any loose hair, matts and knots, and dead skin – which is extra helpful if your pet is indoors (less cleaning for you).
- It distributes the natural oils over their skin and through the fur, giving them a shiny and healthy coat.
- It provides you with a great opportunity to check your pet’s coat for parasites, bumps, scratches and skin problems – early detection helps us treat any unwanted health issues.
- And finally, brushing time allows you to build trust and enjoy each other’s company, creating a strong and loving bond.
In addition to regular brushing sessions, your pet may also need to be professionally groomed a few times a year.
How often do my pets need grooming?
Not all pets require the same degree of grooming. In fact, grooming frequency depends on various factors, such as your dog or cat’s breed and the unique needs of their coats.
For instance, dogs with wire coats, long coats, and curly coats or long haired cats need to be brushed and groomed more often in order to keep them protected from skin problems and matting.
Here are some grooming tips
1. If you can, start brushing and grooming your furry loved ones when they are young puppies or kittens. It’s easier to build trust and confidence in the process while they’re still learning, and gives you a greater chance of helping them to relax while you’re looking after their grooming needs.
2. Schedule the grooming sessions when they’re less energetic and make each session around 5 minutes or less. Lower energy levels means they won’t be as restless or distracted, making it easier for you to tend to their coats and prevent any accidents! Pets tend to have a short attention span (like a toddler) so keeping it brief will keep them happy.
3. Observe your pet’s reaction. If they seem uncomfortable with grooming, consider changing the brush or brushing technique and reducing the duration. Remember: you’re trying to build up their confidence with the process as you go and you can shorten the duration as much as you need to while you gain their trust.
4. Focus on making your grooming sessions positive – give them a treat after every successful session so they can associate grooming and brushing behaviour with being rewarded!
If you’d like to get your pet professional groomed, Matraville Veterinary Practice has partnered with the talented Masayo Anlezark, see her grooming options.