Archive for June, 2009

Dog Grooming Supplies – Essential Items for Every Dog Owner



Dog Grooming Products

Dog Grooming Products

Taking care of your pooch can be a very expensive proposition. Trips to the vet and the grooming shop can quickly take a bite out of your bank account. And there’s no end to treats and bling that you can buy for your beloved pooch. Thankfully, basic dog grooming is something that anyone can learn to do at home with the right supplies.

To optimize your dog’s health and happiness you must have the proper supplies, along with the proper instruction on how to use the various tools. The essential Grooming Supplies for any Pet owner are simple: Clippers, brushes, scissors, pet shampoo, a hair dryer, and nail clippers.

Clippers

Clippers are an essential component in your grooming kit. A good clipper will make short work of keeping your pet’s coat neat and tidy. When cutting a pet’s hair you must use clippers designed for use on animals. Because of differences in the hair, human hair clippers are not a good substitute. Specialized hair clippers for pets can range from $50 to $100, but are necessary if you are going to cut pet hair. The leading brand of clippers is Andis. Scissors are used for cutting excess hair in hard to reach or sensitive areas.

Dog Brushes

Brushes, as with clippers, are specialized for animals and should not be replaced by human brushes. Dog brushes are rather simple tools, used to shape or style your pooch’s hair. You’ll want to choose a brush that is best for your pet’s coat. The choices include:

  • Bristle brushes for most hair types and vary from soft to firm bristles.
  • Wire pin brushes for breeds with medium to long hair lengths.
  • Slicker brushes are perfect for medium or long-haired breeds with tangles or mats.
  • Rakes are brushes used for bad tangles and mats that can’t be removed by the slicker brush.
  • Shedding brushes are tools that have specialized teeth to remove excess hair and undercoat.
  • Flea combs are simple combs that help make fleas more visible and pull them from your pet’s undercoat.

Shampoo

There are almost as many dog shampoos as there are human shampoos! Keep these guidelines in mind when picking a shampoo for your pet.

  • Tear free shampoos are useful when trying to protect your pooch’s eyes from harmful chemicals in normal shampoos.
  • Oatmeal shampoos soothe irritated skin.
  • Natural shampoos are a chemical-free alternative.
  • Medicated shampoos are prescribed by a veterinarian for pets with special care needs.

Nail Clippers

Keeping your pet’s nails trimmed is important for their health and comfort. There are three main types on the market. Which you choose is really a matter of preference.

  • Claw-style trimmers are used to cut nails with a scissor-like fashion.
  • Scissor-like trimmers are used for smaller breeds with delicate nails.
  • Filing tools grind the nails to provide a nice smooth edge.

Many pet owners use a Dremel to file down their pet’s nails. This tool makes short work of the nail, and is said to be more comfortable for the pet. You just need to be careful with it, as it can easily go too far if you aren’t paying attention.

One more useful item is a hair dryer. If your pet is a larger breed, you are better off buying a specialized animal hair dryer. The amount and thickness of the coat could burn out your regular hair dryer. You should be able to use your regular hair dryer on smaller breeds without any difficulty. In a pinch, a towel will do the job, but the undercoat will have to air-dry before you can cut it.

Learning the basics of home dog grooming isn’t as hard as you think, as long as you have the right tools. It will bring you closer to your pet, and save you some money in the process.

By Ed Erickson

Get all the dog grooming supplies you need to make your pooch pretty. Visit us at http://www.doggroomingsource.com to see our full line of dog grooming supplies

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