Have a furry friend that needs a groom but you would rather opt to just do it yourself? There are pros and cons to grooming pets yourself, but there are a few tricks that you won’t be able to master at home. It is important not to miss a few grooming steps if you do decide to go at it yourself. However, there are a few steps that can be done in between professional grooms. Discover the difference between self and professional grooming so that you can decide for yourself.
Determining What’s Right for your Pet
Your pet may not need a groom every month if it is a shorthair breed, but others with long fur, temperament issues, and old age may require professional grooming only. It really depends on the needs of your specific pet. If your pet does not respond well to touching while you attempt to groom, has matted patches of fur, or rapid hair growth you are better off leaving all grooming procedures to the professionals completely. For most people, routine bathing, brushing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental cleaning can be done from home in between professional grooming visits.
At Home Grooming You Can Do!
Bathing- Pets should be bathed when they are dirty. The frequency of baths should be determined on how dirty and how often your pet gets dirty. Most people make sure to bathe their pets at least once a month, but once a week doesn’t hurt if it is your preference as long as you use a shampoo that does not contain harsh chemicals that could hurt your pet’s skin.
Brushing- This also depends on the breed of your dog, as long hair pets need more frequent brushings than short hair pets. Brushing in between professional visits prevents any matting from happening in the fur that would otherwise have to be shaved off to the skin. There are different brushes that should be used for different fur types. Check out our blog about choosing the correct brushes and combs for your pet.
Ear Maintenance- Reduce your pet’s chances of developing an ear infection and eliminate ear wax buildup by routinely cleaning his ears. In the long run, this could save your pet’s hearing as ear infections can lead to debilitating consequences. Make sure to use a vet approved cleaner to prevent any adverse reactions. Drip the solution into the ears and massage the ears to loosen wax and administer medication. Do this as often as needed depending on the wax and dirt buildup in your pet’s ears, about once a month.
Dental Care- Taking care of your pet’s teeth is a vital part of their health. An easy solution is feeding your pet a vet-approved treat that works to both clean and protect against tartar. Teeth problems can lead to other serious health problems, so don’t forget to take care of the teeth as well as the fur!
Professional Grooming Services Better Left to Experts
Hair Cuts- For a professional and stylish cut, you can try, but you may not succeed. The experts at Merryfield Academy provides education so that students are adept at performing haircuts on a number of different breeds, sizes, and temperaments of animals. If you’ve ever run into a pet that has
had a haircut attempted by its owner instead of the groomer, you will agree that this step to grooming is more complicated than it seems!
Matting- It is important to understand that you should not attempt to remove the matting of your dog’s fur yourself; especially with scissors. It could cause pain and skin damage. If they won’t brush out, it is better left to the professional groomer.
Undercoat Maintenance- For dogs with undercoats, it is pretty time consuming and exhausting to remove all the fur and get the fur to look all the same length. It is easier and more accurately done by a pet grooming professional.
Nail Care- Most dogs and cats are not very comfortable with having their paws touched, let alone nails clipped. Getting it taken care of by a professional will ensure that your pet is not hurt trying to escape the trimming. It will also assure that your pet will be more comfortable.
Need professional grooming services or are you interested in becoming a professional pet groomer yourself? The Merryfield Academy in Ft. Lauderdale can help! Call us today to learn more about how you can receive federal funding for your tuition at (954) 771-4030.
