Our furry friends depend on us for the necessities in life as well as all of the love, care, and companionship we can give them.  They crave as much time and attention we can afford them and in return give us the unconditional love, loyalty, and friendship that we need as well.  An easy and enjoyable way to spend more time with your pet and make them feel special is to groom them at home.  Not only does it save you time and money by not having to take them to the vet or groomers, but it can also be much less stressful on your pet.  The three basic steps for home grooming include a nice warm bath, gentle brushing, and peticure.

Begin with a gentle pet shampoo to cleanse the coat and skin.  Avoid using our shampoos or soaps as often there are ingredients in them that may be too harsh for your petís skin.  By creating a lather, you are massaging their skin, releasing dander, and raising loose hair from the undercoat that can be rinsed away.  Remember to keep suds away from the ears and eyes of your pet to avoid stinging and negative reaction from your pet.  Be sure to rinse the coat and skin well to remove any residue from the shampoo.  The next step is a gentle yet firm brushing of the coat with a good quality pet brush.  This also massages the skin which keeps it healthy, removes loose hair from the undercoat, and leaves the topcoat sleek and shiny.  Last but not least, and very important, is the peticure.  Your petís nails need attention, especially if they spend time outdoors and come in contact with gravel, cemented surfaces, or pavement.  Chipped nails can lead to splitting or splintering of the nail, bleeding, and possibly infection.  Many groomers and vets are using filing systems as opposed to the old style nail clippers to avoid cutting the nails too short and into the quick, which again can cause pain and bleeding.  For example, a product called Pedipaws, uses a filing wheel, similar to an emery board, to gently remove the layers of the nail without the risk of hurting your pet or damaging their nails.  The result is smooth shorter nails and cleanup is a breeze as the nail filings are compiled in the protective cap that can be emptied directly into the garbage can.

Grooming your pet at home can be an enjoyable and relaxing experience for both of you and allows you to spend that extra time with your pet that they will appreciate as well.  With a bit of patience and training, it wonít take long for your pet to look forward to their grooming sessions and the special attention you give them.