Regular grooming is advantageous for your pets to help keep their health and well-being, along with their appearance. It involves bathing, brushing fur and teeth, trimming nails, cleaning ears, and other hygienic activities to help keep them healthy and clean. However, it is necessary to follow the appropriate techniques to avoid getting injured or being uncomfortable.
How to Groom and Bathe Young Pets Properly
Comparable to the kitten and puppy veterinarian care, there’s practically no difference in the steps in grooming them. But you need to know that dogs are often easier to wash and comb than cats due to their fur and the fact that they are not as sensitive as cats.
Here’s a detailed guide to grooming and bathing kittens and puppies:
- Start grooming your kitten at around six months, as they are noise-sensitive and edgy. Younger ones may be too afraid of the process, particularly when using a blower. It is also when they’re no longer teething and all fully grown teeth have come out.
- For young puppies, give them their very first grooming session after their first vaccination. This makes certain they are not at risk of catching any contagious diseases.
- Gently comb their fur in the direction the coat grows using a soft-bristled brush to clear away tangles and dirt. A rubber brush can aid in eliminating dead hair on kittens and puppies with short fur. Focus on their feet, tail, and face to ensure all dirt is removed.
- Bathe them with lukewarm water in a safe and secure container. Use a mild shampoo made exclusively for cats or dogs and gently scrub it into their fur to prevent irritation. Avoid getting suds into their ears and eyes, as the soap irritates them.
- Use a damp cloth to clean areas around the eyes, ears, and anus.
- Dry up with a clean cloth and use a blower set on a cool mode to finish off. Make it a practice to give your kitties baths and brushes every 6 to 12 weeks, especially the long-haired ones like Persians and British longhair. On the other hand, bathe your pups not more than once a month unless needed.
- Trim your pet’s nails using a nail clipper or grinder made for dogs or cats. If you can’t do it by yourself or don’t have time, bring them to a certified groomer and learn more about how professional grooming services can ease your problems with your pet’s nail trimming.
- Brush your pet’s teeth at least twice or thrice a week using pet-friendly toothpaste.
Techniques on Grooming and Bathing Senior Pets
11 to 14-year-old cats are classified as senior and geriatric at 15 to 25. Meanwhile, bigger breeds of dogs are considered senior at 7 to 10 years old and geriatric at ten and above. Additionally, smaller breeds are considered senior at 11 to 12 and geriatric at 12 years old and above. To maintain their good health, cleanliness, and happiness, they need a geriatric cat exam and extra attention to their grooming.
Here’s how you can adequately shower and groom a senior pet:
- Brush their fur in one direction using a soft-bristled brush to get rid of tangles and dirt. You may use a rubber brush for short-haired pets as these are gentler on joints but still remove shedding hair.
- Bath them with pet shampoo for seniors or older pets. Use warm water when bathing, as hot water may trigger discomfort and irritation. Use a calm voice and gentle strokes to soothe your pet.
- Dry up with a clean cloth and use a blower set on low heat mode to complete. Make sure the blower is not too close to your elderly pet’s face, especially if they have delicate skin or breathing problems.
- Clean ears, eyes, feet, and tail with a damp towel or cloth. Gently remove wax buildup to prevent it from hardening and trap bacteria in the ear canal. Examine their ears on a regular basis as they might get more vulnerable to infection and ear mites with age.
- Trim their nails using an appropriate nail clipper or mill made for senior pets.
- Continue providing regular dental care by cleaning their teeth at least two times or thrice a week using toothpaste made specifically for pets.
The Bottom Line
Pet grooming is an essential part of looking after the health and well-being of your furry friend. When doing it in your home, you must follow proper methods to ensure that it does not hurt or cause distress to your pets. You should also customize the grooming routine based on age. This ensures that all their needs are met and they are given appropriate treatment according to their age. If unsure, work with a professional groomer to make sure that your pet is safe from injuries or other issues.
