Many will argue that animals were born in their natural form and grooming is a learned behavior. This may be true for animals that are in the wild, but it is also important to groom our domesticated pets for they will not have the wild to rely on. Instead, take them to the groomer so their coats glisten, ears open, smiles brighten, and they can have a luxurious mani-pedi.

Keeping your pet’s fur in mint condition is helpful in removing dirt, spreading natural oils, and preventing tangles in order to keep the skin clean and free of irritation. By keeping up with routine brushing, it allows the owner to check for fleas and ticks. Smooth, short-coated friends only need to be brushed once a week as well as short, dense-coated friends with some special care to the underbelly. Long, luxurious-coated friends will need everyday attention in order to avoid matting. Following these basic tips will ensure a successful style and skin condition for you furry friends!

Bacteria and yeast are the common reasons for canine ear infections. An overgrowth of bacteria and yeast are due to ear mites, growing hair, trapped water, and a tumor or foreign body in the ear canal. Infections can also form from excessive wax within the ear and when allergies emerge. You can detect an infection when your pet is continuously itching the problem ear, there is a brown, yellow or bloody discharge, an odor, redness and swelling, and head shaking or head tilting. If there are symptoms of an infection, dampen a cotton ball with a suggested solution from your vet. However, be mindful not to excessively clean the ear, causing further irritation. After bathing or swimming, be sure to dry your pets ears as thoroughly and carefully as possible. It is also a good idea to frequently remind your groomer to pluck hairs growing in the ears of those pups that do not shed. This will help to keep infections from occurring and allows you to be free of digging into your own dog’s ear!

Brushing your pup’s teeth is not just about having fresh-smelling breath, it is also about oral health. Gum disease is very common within our pets and it is something to be quite aware of. If possible, try to brush your little friends’ teeth with a toothbrush (provided by a vet, groomer or simply at the pet store) and a paste in the flavor that may be appealing to your pet such as liver, chicken, peanut butter, etc. The process of brushing is fairly easy, but you will need to prepare your pet so that they are not overwhelmed by using your finger first and softly lifting their lips. Doing so will get them used to their mouths being manipulated in a way that is convenient for us owners.

It is not uncommon for our pets to be squeamish of the nail trimming process. This is because many people do not expose their little friends to it often enough. They will become accustomed to having their paws touched by frequently ‘massaging’ their paws when at home, while watching television and such. It is also recommended that you do not trim the nails with clippers. Use a dremel hand-machine or pedi-paw to file their nails. By doing so, you are less likely to cut the kwik where the dog may bleed excessively from that toe and become very fearful of this traumatic experience. Filing the nails will also prevent scratching of hardwood floors for filing is also used to round out the nail as prevention of so.