Keeping your dog healthy and happy should be your top priority. Being a dog owner is a huge responsibility.
You are responsible for another living being, and you need to train him, socialize, prepare for the world, and provide enough love and great food, next to yummy treats.
One thing that is a big part of a dog’s health and happiness is grooming. Grooming isn’t only about brushing your dog regularly.
Grooming is about checking your dog daily and searching for any sign on apparent infection and symptoms of underlying health problems.
To maintain a good grooming practice, you will need proper grooming tools.
Whether your dog’s hair is long or short, wavy, or even smooth will demand your time and brushing skills.
Every dog can benefit from regular grooming, and the right brushes and combs can make the grooming easier and faster both for you and your dog.
Good dog grooming tools are an essential part of grooming. Things like bathing, nail trims, and ear cleaning are much easier when you have the right tools on hand. Here is what you need to have on hand to groom your dog properly.
1. Brush
Brushing is a mandatory part of a dog’s grooming package. How frequent you should groom your dog will depend on your dog’s coat.
If the dog’s coat is smooth, you will need less time to brush it, opposite to curdy and robust hair.
When you get a dog, you should immediately introduce him to grooming practice to feel comfortable while being handled.
Professionals in pet stores will help you choose the best brush for your dog’s coat, or either take him on a leash or have a photo of your dog with you.
Avoid tangles by regularly brushing your dog’s hair. Regular brushing will lower the shedding and also stimulate hair growth and keep your dog’s coat shiny and healthy.
2. Nail Clippers
When nails become too long, it can harm your dog. Dog nails should never be too long. In general, you should trim them every two months, although it may vary from dog to dog.
If you aren’t sure how to trim dog’s nails, don’t do it. Better pay a professional groomer to do it instead and teach you how to do it.
You can always think about nail grinders, but you should be careful with using it as well.
Nail clippers can help you support a dog’s health, as long nails can scratch and hurt others. Plus, if they break off, your dog can be in serious pain.
Trimming your dog’s nails is easier than you’d think; you just need some time to learn to handle it.
Handling your dog’s nails will definitely be easier when you invest in a good pair of clippers.
3. High-Quality Shampoo
Bathing your dog can be a fun experience if you prepare yourself and your dog well. Make sure that your dog is comfortable with water, and always use shampoo specially designed for dogs.
Bear in mind that dogs don’t have the same skin as humans do, and they don’t need frequent bathing.
Some dog experts would say that dogs’ don’t need bathing at all unless they are caught up in mud or similar fun activity.
Make sure that you talk with your veterinarian about the dog’s bathing needs.
Once your veterinarian gives you the green light on bathing, you can also think about homemade dog shampoo. Always check if there is a shampoo specifically designed for your dog’s breed and specific needs.
4. Dog Drying Towel
Rainy days and bathing time will demand a nice and comfortable towel. Sure, you always use a regular towel, but its the best to have a towel for your dog only.
After a bath, your Fido might decide to run around the house or have an extra burst of energy after getting released from the water.
This is why you should have a towel on hand, especially after bath time. It’s better to prevent the mess by immediately wrapping a towel around your dog.
5. Deshedding Tool
If your canine is a heavy shedder, you will love deshedding tools. It is almost impossible for dogs that shed a lot to stay on top of the hair situation. Heavy shedding dogs will shed a lot during the entire year, and not only when it’s a shedding session.
So, the shedding tool, such as the steel comb, should pull out loose fur close to falling out. This way, you can get ahead of the issue.
Believe it or not, your canine will love this took. He may sit calmly, or even on his back because he will definitely see it as a gently play.
You will probably end up with a pile of fur, so make sure that you have a bag on hand, to avoid chasing loose hair around your place.
6. Dog Hair Clipper Set
Some dog breeds, like Maltese and Poodle, don’t shed. This may sound perfect if you are not a fan of having hair on your floors.
Still, you should know that non-shedding breeds will need regular haircuts. Taking them to the groomer can add up, so you should think about getting a dog clipper set.
This set usually includes:
- Cordless clipper with different blade sizes
- A comb
- Scissors for trimming sensitive areas
7. Toothpaste And Toothbrush
Dog experts say that you should check his teeth if you want to know about a dog’s health. Therefore, taking care of a dog’s teeth is important. When a dog’s teeth are neglected it can lead to serious issues like periodontal disease.
So, keep the dog’s oral health in check, you should brush his teeth regularly and check his gums weekly.
It would be best if you talked with your veterinarian about brushing your dog’s teeth.
There are specially designed toothbrushes and toothpaste for dogs that are safe for your canine.
You may have more problems with getting the dog used to brushing, which is why the best if you could focus on this grooming part as early as possible in a dog’s age.
Again, check with your veterinarian when it’s best to start brushing your dog’s teeth and how to do it properly.
8. Grooming Wipes
It seems as dogs always have something on their face, a simple drool, or a piece fo mud on their fur from their last walk. That’s why its handy to have dog wipes.
These wipes are specially designed for canine and safe to use. You can also use them after a walk on a rainy day. Pet deodorizing bath wipes are gentle and effective, which makes them perfect for everyday use.
9. Ear Cleaner
Opposite to humans, dogs have really long ears, up to 10cm in length. Up in there, a lot of debris, dirt, and wax can build up. Several ear infections can appear in dogs if you neglect their ears.
If your dog loves to swim, it’s not uncommon for the ear to become infected.
It’s always a good idea to clean out your dog’s ear to stay on top of things. You will need only a cotton ball and a liquid cleaner, and the entire process is simple and easy.
All you have to do is to soak the cotton ball with cleaner, gently insert it into the ear and move it around to dislodge the gunk.
10. Treats!
Yes, treats are a mandatory part of any grooming set. Some dogs really dislike being handled and see grooming time as a disturbance. This is why treats can help you enormously when you groom your dog.
Whenever your dog shows a signal of being a good dog, you should reward him.
The same goes for brushing and teeth hygiene your dog’s teeth. Treats are definitely a must-gave when grooming your canine!
The Bottom Line
Grooming your dog is a big part of his health and happiness. Grooming is also the time that you share with your pet and get to bond more.
Ensure that you are honest about your grooming techniques and take your dog to the professional groomer if mandatory.
If you decide to groom your dog at home, have the right tools on hand to make the process easier, faster, and safer for your pet.
