Most of our dogs and cats need regular brushing. If you have
a dog that doesn’t shed, he needs to be clipped by either you or a professional
because the coat keeps getting longer. Longer coats tend to mat and can be
uncomfortable for your pet. Unkempt coats can be oily and dirty; if they are
uncomfortable, itching and scratching result and can lead to skin
infections.
Too many pet owners think slicker brushes are always
appropriate. Slickers work well for short coated dogs and cats. But, as the
coats get longer, the slicker tends to simple brush out the ends of the coat
while leaving matted tangles near the skin. The mats are uncomfortable to the
pet; shampooing a tangled coat can produce severe mats which must be shaved
out.
If I only had one utensil for grooming my pet (dog or cat),
it would be a detangling comb (a long steel comb with teeth closer at one end
than the other). This works well for all but the shortest coated pets. I would
regularly and carefully comb my pet from the skin out, while paying particular
attention to areas where the coat is thicker or longer (such as behind the rear
legs and ears).
Rubber grooming gloves work well on short coated pets. They
are safe and easy on thinner pets, and pets that enjoy being petted will not
object to these.
Dematting tools can be purchased to cut through thicker or
matted coats on some pets but with regular attention, your dog’s coat should
seldom need this type of attention. Grooming rakes used regularly help prevent
the need for dematting tools. The rake has a limited number of very stout teeth
that are pulled through thicker, longer coats to prevent matting.
Again, always remember to thoroughly comb out your pet
before bathing. Shampooing a tangled area will produce hopeless mats that will
need to be carefully trimmed out. It is safest to seek a professional groomer
before attempting to trim out these mats by yourself.
