By Briseis Schreibman, Edited by Abbi Colborn

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Lately, keeping clean is in the back of all of our minds. Sanitizing groceries, ourselves, and our clothing; the act has become an Olympic sport. Though there’s one type of cleaning that may seem especially daunting… pet grooming. 

With many groomers and other non-essential pet services closed, you may be tasked with keeping your pet groomed for the first time in a long time. Whether you’re a pet grooming champ looking to refresh their skills or a newbie just learning the ropes, CUP is here with a few easy tips.

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How Often Should I Bathe My Pet?

You should give your dog a bath every 1-3 months. The type of pet you have, their breed, their temperament, and general health are all essential to understand before you start any grooming routine. Taking the time to research the types of care your pet may need is a great way to build confidence and feel assured that you are keeping you and your pet safe.

Basic Tools:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste

Haircuts

Unless you’ve got a dog with super short fur, you’re going to need to cut it eventually. It’ll get in the dogs eyes, nose, and mouth, it can mat if left untouched for long enough. It can be overwhelming and frustrating to try and groom your dog yourself. Here’s how to approach it:

You Will Need:

• Round-Tip Shears
• Brush
• Hair Clippers

Plan Your Cuts

If your dog will only allow a few minutes of snip time, we’d better make it count. Keeping the shears away from your dogs skin, trim around their eyes, long hair covering groin, and hair growing around paws. These are the three most functional cuts you can make. If your dog allows, feel free to give the whole coat a trim. Youtube videos will be your best friend during this process.

Tips and Tricks

Any new skill and routine requires practice. Pet grooming is no exception. Here’s some more info and resources to help you figure it out.

Specialized equipment:

Your pet’s size, temperament, or fur itself might require specific utensils and techniques for proper grooming. Double-coated animals (such as labradors) will need different types of brushes, for example. Here’s some things you might not think about at first:

• Brush gloves
• Slicker Brush:
  • Short wire bristles, best for medium-long coats, wiry coats, and curly coats.
• Bristle Brush:
  • Natural fibers, best for short/silky coats, or as a finishing brush for longer coats.
• Rubber Brush:
  • Can be used wet or dry, you can rub shampoo in with a rubber brush
• CBD chews
• Silver nitrate pencil for accidental nicks
• Ear Cleaning Solution

Get Into A Rhythm

Try to create a consistent routine around grooming. Take note of how often you should be doing nail cuttings, combing, teeth brushing, etc. and make yourself a physical or digital schedule. Having a consistent schedule gives some order to the chaos that is bath time.

Grooming can run longer than you initially plan for if your furry friend gets grumpy or anxious. It’s best to give yourself ample time. Extra time also allows you and your baby to take breaks.

Be Gentle

If your pet is particularly stubborn and resistant, do not force them into it. Fear and force are harmful to your pets trust in you, and a hinderance to the goals you’re trying to reach together. It may take a few tries, but know that you’re working hard now so it’s easy later.

All Clean!

After a grooming session is done, your pet may be a little cranky, overstimulated, or just in need of alone time. Don’t take this personally, they may need some time to cool off, but they’ll be back to their lovey self soon after. With some patience and preemptive planning, you can make your grooming sessions the best they can be and help your pet stay healthy and happy.