Part of dog ownership is good grooming. Although some people opt for taking their dogs to a local groomer, it can become expensive very quickly. The alternative is to have a collection of quality tools on hand to do your own pet grooming. Here are the basic tools you should have in your collection to save time and money by grooming at home.
• Dog Brush
What makes a good pet brush? It depends on the type of dog you have. For long-haired dogs that shed, porcupine brushes that have varying lengths of bristles in them work well. They’re designed to remove excess hair and debris from your dog’s coat. For short-haired dogs, a rubber brush or grooming glove can work well to keep coats clean, shiny and free from dead skin. These types of brushes can also offer a gentle massage that removes loose hair on wet or dry fur.
• Metal Tooth Comb
Another grooming essential is a stainless steel metal tooth comb. Just like humans, dogs can get tangles and mats in their hair. Holding the hair at the root and gently working your way from the tip of the tangle to the root of the fur with a metal comb can remove the problems without hurting your pet.
Additionally, you can use a metal comb is to remove fleas and flea eggs from your dog’s coat. Use a comb that has teeth spaced close together, dip it on soapy water and let the comb with catch fleas with each pass through the dog’s hair. Remove the fleas from the comb with a wet tissue and flush them down the toilet to make sure they can’t invade your animal or your home again.
• Nail Clipper
Although most people are familiar with the guillotine style nail clipper, you can also purchase nail clippers that look like scissors. The scissor type clippers are easier to use; however, the blades on the guillotine type clippers tend to stay sharper much longer. With each choice, it’s important to make sure you have a sharp, quality clipper that nips the nails off your pet without splitting or cracking them. With so many different types and brands available, it’s usually best to ask your vet for a recommendation on which to buy for your dog.
• Pet Clippers
One last item for a basic dog grooming collection is a set of quality hair or fur clippers. Complete kits can range anywhere from $30 to $75 or more, depending on the brand. Just be sure to get a set that includes detachable blades, at least four attachment combs, scissors, oil and a cleaning brush. One note – it’s important to use clippers on a clean dog or to brush all debris from the coat before grooming – as dirt can dull the clipper blades quickly and ruin your investment. Also, if you clean and oil your clippers after each grooming session and they should last you a long time.
With a one-time investment in quality tools, you should be able to save money by grooming your dog at home and keep him or her healthy, attractive and clean.