Information on Animal Grooming

Whether grooming is done at a pet salon or in your home, it is a necessary part of animal ownership. Grooming keeps the animal's body healthy and is a good way to check for ticks and other external parasites, injuries and infections. It also benefits the pet-owner relationship because of the time you spend with your pet.

  1. Brushing

    • Every pet, whether long- or short-haired, should be brushed regularly. Brushing is especially important for long-haired animals, as brushing keeps the pet's coat from developing mats.

    Bathing

    • Pets should be bathed regularly, which can be an easy process if animals are introduced to bathing at a young age. Many owners like to bathe their pets once a week, but bathing more often can strip the coat of necessary oils.

    Nail Clipping

    • A pet's nails should not touch the ground when the animal is walking. Clipping can be done with hand-operated or electrical clippers available from pet supply stores. Be careful not to cut into the nails' quick, which can be very painful.

    Ear Cleaning

    • Use a cotton ball moistened with over-the-counter pet ear cleansers to swab out your pet's ears. Do not use cotton-tipped swabs, because they can easily be pushed too far into the ear canal.

    Teeth Cleaning

    • Some owners elect to brush their pet's teeth using special toothpastes and toothbrushes designed for pets or little mitts that fit over fingers. For older dogs that have never had their teeth brushed, a veterinarian can clean the teeth under general anesthesia.