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!