Here at Pets a Go Go, we believe that grooming is an important part of your pet’s overall health. We want your dog to look good and feel good, and we know you want the same for your furbaby! But we also understand that figuring out the best way to groom your pet can be difficult, especially if you’re a new pet parent. We want to help you care for your pup as much as possible, so we pulled together some grooming tips to help you get started:
It’s all about the brushing/combing. No matter what kind of dog you have, brushing their fur can be incredibly beneficial. For dogs with extremely thick coats, brushing (and even more importantly combing) is absolutely essential to prevent mats and tangles, and also to remove loose fur. For these types of dogs, grooming rakes and wide-tooth combs or specially-made dematting brushes work best. For dogs with thin coats, brushing is still important! Even with thin coats, mats and tangles can occur, and brushing will prevent these. Brushing your dog’s fur is also a great time to check for ticks or fleas. So even if your dog has an incredibly short or wiry coat, brushing them is still a good idea to keep them healthy!
Bathing: When it comes to bathing your dog, it can be tricky to know how often you should wash them. The main thing you need to know: they are very different from humans and do not need to bathe as much as we do. The ASPCA recommends you bathe your dog at least once every three months. However, depending on how much time your dog spends outside and if he has any skin conditions, this number could increase. So when it comes to bathing your pup, try this: use once every three months as a baseline, and then look at your dog’s lifestyle. If you typically go on long walks in wooded areas or have a massive backyard he refuses to stop chasing squirrels in, then consider increasing that number. If you have any doubts or questions, ask your vet, or contact the team at Pets a Go Go.
Cut Those Nails: Thankfully, when it comes to your dog’s nails, it’s pretty easy to tell when to cut them. If you hear a clickety-clack when your dog walks on tile or hardwood floor, if you notice her slipping and sliding when she runs, or if her nails are snagging on the carpet or blankets, then it’s time for a nail trim. There are easy ways for you to cut your dog’s nails on your own, but you need to make sure you keep the nail’s curvature and don’t cut too far, or the nail will bleed. Consult with your vet if you have any questions or concerns about cutting your pup’s nails. If it makes you too nervous to cut your fur baby’s nails on your own, you could always bring him to Pets a Go Go where one of our professionals can cut them safely!
Don’t Forget the Teeth: Dental health is so important for dogs, but unfortunately, it is often overlooked. The ASPCA recommends pet parents brush their dog’s teeth two to three times a week. This may sound like a lot, but doing so can prevent bacteria buildup, infections, oral disease, inflamed gums and more. Training your dog to let you brush its teeth can be a difficult process, but it is worth every second. Taking the time to brush your dog’s teeth means you are taking an important step to keep him healthy.
Implement a Routine While there are things you can, and should, do to groom your dog on your own, it’s still wise to take your dog to the groomer on a regular basis. The frequency of your spa visits will depend on how quickly your dog’s fur grows. The groomer should wash your dog, trim his nails, and cut his fur, so keep this in mind as you groom your dog yourself. At Pets a Go Go, we have award-winning spa services that will take consider your pup’s specific needs. We offer express grooming, basic beautification, specialty services and more! The best thing you can do for your pup is getting into a routine with the same groomer, and the same amount of time in between visits.
Some people may think taking time to groom your dog is “fancy” or “extra” but in reality, it is essential to keeping up your dog’s health. For your dog to be well taken care of, his fur, nails and teeth need to be cared for. Regular grooming upkeep is a part of having a furbaby—thankfully, it is fairly easy to make grooming your pup a part of your routine. If you have any questions about how to care for your dog in between visits with the groomer or if you want to make a spa appointment with us, please contact the team at Pets a Go Go at thepawsquad@petsagogo.com or call one of our locations. For more information about our spa services visit our website.
