Regular grooming is advantageous for your pets to help keep their health and well-being, along with their appearance. It involves bathing, brushing fur and teeth, trimming nails, cleaning ears, and other hygienic activities to help keep them in good shape and clean. However, it is necessary to follow the proper techniques to avoid getting injured or being uncomfortable.
How to Groom and Bathe Young Pets Properly
Comparable to puppy and kitten care, there’s practically no difference in the steps in grooming them. But you need to understand that dogs are usually less troublesome to bathe and comb than cats due to their fur and the fact that they are not as sensitive as cats.
Here’s a detailed guide to grooming and bathing kittens and puppies:
- Start grooming your kitten at around six months, as they are noise-sensitive and edgy. Younger ones may be too afraid of the process, especially when using a blower. It is also when they’re no longer teething and all adult teeth have come out.
- After you’ve taken your puppy or kitten first vet visit to get their vaccinations, it’s time to start grooming them. This ensures they are not in danger of catching any transmittable diseases.
- Gently comb their fur in the direction the coat grows using a soft-bristled brush to clear away tangles and dirt. A rubber brush can aid in removing dead hair on kittens and puppies with short fur. Concentrate on their feet, tail, and face to make sure all dirt is removed.
- Bathe them with warm water in a safe and secure container. Use a mild shampoo formulated specifically for cats or dogs and softly scrub it into their fur to prevent irritation. Avoid getting suds into their ears and eyes, as the soap irritates them.
- Use a damp towel to clean areas around the eyes, ears, and anus.
- Dry up with a clean cloth and use a blower set on a cool mode to finish off. Make it a habit to give your kitties baths and brushes every 6 to 12 weeks, especially the long-haired ones like Persians and British longhair. On the other hand, bathe your pups not more than once a month unless needed.
- Trim your pet’s nails using a nail clipper or grinder made for dogs or cats. If you can’t do it yourself or don’t have time, take them to the professional dog or cat grooming in Pittsboro.
- Brush your pet’s teeth approximately two times or thrice a week using pet-friendly toothpaste.
Techniques on Grooming and Bathing Senior Pets
11 to 14-year-old pet cats are classified as elderly and geriatric at 15 to 25 years old. On the other hand, bigger breeds of dogs are considered senior at 7 to 10 years old and geriatric at ten and above. Additionally, smaller breeds are considered senior at 11 to 12 and geriatric at 12 years old and above. To help keep them healthy, clean, and happy, they need geriatric care and extra attention to their grooming.
Here’s how you can properly bathe and groom a senior pet:
- Brush their coat in one direction using a soft-bristled brush to remove tangles and dirt. You can use a rubber brush for short-haired pets as these are gentler on joints but still remove shedding hair.
- Bath them with pet shampoo for seniors or elderly pets. Use warm water during bathing, as hot water may cause discomfort and irritation. Use a calm voice and gentle strokes to soothe your pet.
- Dry up with a clean towel and use a blower set on low heat setting to complete. Make sure the blower is not too close to your senior pet’s face, especially if they have sensitive skin or breathing problems.
- Clean ears, eyes, feet, and tail with a damp towel or cloth. Carefully remove wax build-up to prevent it from hardening and trapping germs in the ear canal. Check their ears regularly as they might get more prone to infection and ear mites with age.
- Trim their nails using an appropriate nail clipper or mill for senior pets.
- Continue providing regular dental care by cleaning their teeth at least two times or thrice a week using toothpaste made specifically for animals. In addition, you should regularly visit a veterinary clinic to check your pet’s teeth and gums to make sure they’re healthy.
The Bottom Line
Pet grooming is essential to caring for your furry buddy’s health and welfare. When doing it at home, you must follow proper methods to ensure that it doesn’t hurt or cause distress to your pets. You should also tailor the grooming routine based on age. This ensures that all their demands are fulfilled and they receive appropriate treatment according to their age group. If unsure, hire a professional groomer to ensure your pet is safe from injuries or other issues.
