What Do I Need to Groom Dogs?

Pet owners know the importance of grooming their pets. During the grooming process, you can check whether the dog has parasites, ensure the health of its nails and skin and use the opportunity to bond with it. However, in order to groom your dog, you need to have the correct grooming supplies. The supplies will depend on the type of fur your dog has, but some of them are standard and every pet owner should have them.

  1. Comb and Rake

    • The comb you select for your dog will depend on the type of fur the dog has. Usually, combs have fine, medium and wide teeth. The fine teeth are meant for dogs with soft coats; the medium for dogs with normal coat and the wide toothed comb is meant for dogs with thick coat. Check with your vet for the type of comb to buy for your dog. If your dog has a thick undercoat, it is advisable to get an undercoat rake to remove the loose hair, especially when the shedding season begins.

    Brush

    • A brush is an important tool in dog grooming. It helps to remove loose hair and mats. There are different types of brush, such as slicker brushes for dogs with double coats, wire pin brushes for dogs with wooly coats and bristle brushes for dogs with short hair.

    Nail Clipper

    • A grooming session is never complete without checking the nails of the dog and clipping them if necessary. The clippers are available in different sizes and you can buy the size that is right for your dog.

    Scissors

    • A straight scissor helps to trim the hair on the foot pads and the hair around the eyes and ears. If you want to thin out the hair and give the fur a feathered look, invest in a pair of thinning scissors.

    Dematting Comb

    • A dematting comb helps to remove stubborn mats that do not come off with the help of combs and brushes. The dematting comb breaks the mats into smaller sections, so that they can be brushed off. This comb is usually for long-hair dogs.

    Dog Shampoo

    • There is an array of dog shampoos available that you can use on your pet. If your dog has sensitive skin, opt for hypoallergenic shampoos, otherwise a normal dog shampoo is sufficient to clean the coat and skin. If you are afraid of the chemicals in the dog shampoos, you can always buy herbal dog shampoos. For fleas, there are special flea shampoos that eliminate fleas from the dog's body.

    Dog Conditioner

    • After a good shampoo, applying a dog conditioner will make the hair smooth and prevent it from matting. Some conditioners contain essential oils, such as citronella and eucalyptus, which help to reduce doggy odors and also work as flea prevention.