Thursday, October 2, 2014

Grooming: Combing and Brushing my Pet

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.

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Thanks so much for your interest and comment. I'll be back to you as soon as possible.

Ken