Grooming
Tips for a healthy pet and a happy wallet…
Having your
pet professionally groomed is key to maintaining the quality and insulation
properties of their coat. There are several things you can do at home to assure
a healthy coat and reduce grooming costs too.
Tips for
keeping your pet’s coat healthy:
Diet
A shiny and healthy coat begins from the
inside. Work with your pet’s veterinarian on developing a nutritious diet for
your dog or cat. Stay away from grain-filled foods, and those with refined
sucrose (sugar). A dull coat and skin issues can be a sign of an underlying
health problem.
Brushing
Start with
the proper tools for your pet’s coat. Different breeds may require different
brushes. Consult with Golrusk’ s professional groomers at your pet’s next
appointment for what type of brush to use on your dog or cat. Daily brushing will
remove dead hair and reduce the chance of matts developing. During grooming, removing
matts from your pet’s coat takes extra time and can be stressful for your pet. The
extra time a groomer needs to spend to carefully remove matts and snarls adds
to the cost of a grooming appointment.
A healthy coat
that is properly brushed will maintain the cooling and insulation properties of
your pet’s hair too. Many people believe less hair is cooler…not always. If
properly maintained your pet’s natural hair coat allows for air flow thru the
follicles and along the skin. This natural circulation of air is hampered once
dirt and matts clog the coat. Think of it as an air filter that has too much
debris to work efficiently.
Bonding
Even ten
minutes a day brushing your dog will help keep their coat clean. If your pet is
not used to being brushed, start slow and take ques from them if they become
stressed. Your first few attempts may simply be to allow your dog or cat to see
and smell the brush. Begin brushing gently for a short period of time and
reward your pet with praise and a tiny treat. If they begin to struggle, stay
positive and never scold. Stop and try again after a short rest. Be consistent
with your actions and words each time you brush them. As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a
day, and you do not have to do an extensive brushing each day. By making
this a bonding time for you and your pet, you both will be happy and will look
forward to the next brush time!