Paw-fact Grooming: The Top 10 Grooming Mistakes You Should Avoid

As a pet parent, you know pet grooming is important to its health and well-being. Not only does grooming keep your pet’s hair shiny and clean, but it also promotes its general health.

Although grooming a pet isn’t as easy as it seems, pet owners often make mistakes that complicate the grooming process.

In this blog, I shall point out the top 10 grooming mistakes you should avoid to ensure that your pets always look and feel their best. I also shall point out why you should let a professional groomer handle your “grooming commitment.”

Skipping Regular Grooming Sessions

Skipping regular grooming sessions is one of the fundamental mistakes pet owners make. Yes, you may be busy, but whether your pet has short or long hair, you need to groom it regularly to keep it from getting matted and prevent excessive shedding.

In addition, when you groom you pet, you may find skin problems or bugs that you might not have noticed otherwise.

Using the Wrong Grooming Tools

Using the wrong grooming tools can mess up with your pet’s hair or even harm the pet.. Always buy grooming tools that are right for your pet’s breed and hair type. For example, a slicker brush is great for pets with long hair, while a rubber curry brush is great for pets with short hair.

If you aren’t sure what tools are best for your pet, talk to a professional groomer or a veterinarian. Better still, book a professional groomer on Groomit to handle your “grooming commitment.”

Dental Hygiene Overlooked

Dental hygiene is often ignored, even though it is an essential part of pet grooming. If you don’t take care of your pet’s teeth, it could contribute to bad smell and plaque, which may lead to tartar formation and eventually dental diseases.

Therefore, make it a habit to brush your pet’s teeth every day with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste that is safe for animals. Tooth-friendly treats and toys also can help keep their teeth in good shape.

Too Much or Too Little Bathing

It is important to find the right mix when it comes to bathing your pet. If they get too much baths, their natural oils can be stripped from their fur, which can make their skin dry and itchy. On the other hand,

not bathing your pet enough can cause dirt and oils to build up, which can equally irritate their skin and possibly get fleas.

Depending on the type of your pet’s coat, you should bathe your dog every 4 to 6 weeks if they have medium to long coat or every other month if they have short coat or as suggested by your vet.

Conversely, you may bathe long-haired cats like the American bobtail every couple of months but hairless cats like the Canadian Sphynx every couple of weeks.

Cleaning the Ears Wrongly

It is important to clean your pet’s ears to avoid infections and wax buildup. But putting cotton swabs into their ears beyond the exterior folds could be harmful. Instead, use ear cleaners that your vet recommends and gently wipe the visible part of the ear canal and outside of the ear.

Pets Nails Ignored

Ignoring your pet’s nails may contribute to health issues, including pain and joint problems. Trim your dog’s nails approximately once a month and your cat approximately every three weeks.

Be careful not to cut too close to the quick (the part of the nail curve that contains blood vessels and nerves) as this can cause bleeding and pain. (If this accidentally happens, you may stop the bleeding by

applying pressure on the fresh cut and putting some baking soda, flour or cornstarch on it. If the bleeding persists, consult your vet immediately.)

For your peace of mind and your furry friend’s comfort, you may book a professional groomer on Groomit to handle the “trimming business” for you.

Rushing the Grooming Process

Grooming a pet takes time, care, and patience. If you rush, your pet may feel nervous or scared, which can make grooming sessions very stressful.

Take your time, give it treats and praises, and make grooming relaxing and fun for both of you.

Skin and coat problems overlooked

When grooming your pet, pay attention to its skin and coat. Look for redness, itching, or lumps, and if you see anything out of the ordinary, talk to your vet. Obviously, if your vet finds health problems earlier, he can stop them from getting worse and save your pet from unnecessary suffering.

Using Products Meant for People

If you decide to groom your dog instead of a professional groomer, then it is important to remember this rule: Never use products meant for people on your pets because they may contain ingredients that are harmful to animals.

Always choose shampoos, conditioners, and grooming items made just for pets to keep them safe and healthy.

Skipping Professional Grooming

It is okay to groom your pet at home, but it may be a mistake to skip professional grooming all together. Professional groomers have the skills and knowledge to do different kinds of grooming.

Moreover, they can groom your pet and remove ticks and fleas in a way that you might not be able to do at home or may not have time to.

Conclusion

Pet parents often make mistakes that complicate the grooming process and unintentionally reduce their pets quality of life or even harm them. If you can avoid the abovementioned top 10 pet grooming mistakes, your furry friends will not only look cute, but they also will be healthier and happier.

For your peace of mind and your pet’s comfort, you may choose to book a professional groomer on Groomit to handle the grooming for you.

Your pets will feel their best and your bond with them will grow stronger if they are groomed regularly and carefully with the right products and tools.

References:

Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Washington State University

The Humane Society of United Sates

John Creek Veterinary Clinic

vcahospitals.com

mybrownnewfies.com

FAQs

Why is it important to groom my furry friend?

Grooming your pet is important for many reasons: First and foremost, it prevents bad smell. Moreover, it keeps their hairs shiny and clean and helps prevent matting, excessive shedding, infections, etc. In addition, grooming your pet regularly helps improve its general health and save it from unnecessary suffering by spotting skin problems or parasites earlier.

What will happen if I use the wrong tools to groom my pet?

The wrong tools can harm your pet and make it feel uncomfortable. For example, if you use a brush that isn’t right for your pet’s hair type, it could harm or irritate its skin. It’s essential to buy cleaning tools that are right for your pet’s breed and hair type for a good grooming experience.

How often should I bathe my dog or cat?

The number of times you should bathe your pet varies depending on its breed. On average, you should bathe medium to long coat dogs every 4 to 6 weeks and short coat dogs every other month or as suggested by your vet.

On the contrary, you should bathe long-haired cats like the American bobtail every couple of months but hairless cats like the Canadian Sphynx every week or two.

Why is it important to take care of my pet’s teeth?

Dental health is an essential part of pet grooming that owners sometimes ignore. If you don’t take care of your pet’s teeth, it may contribute to bad smell and dental problems.

You can help your pet’s teeth stay healthy by brushing them (preferably daily or every other day minimally) with pet-safe tooth brush and paste. You also should give them dental treats and toys.

How should I clean the ears of my pet?

It is important to clean your pet’s ears to avoid infections and wax buildup. However, don’t put cotton swabs in their ears, as this can hurt them. Instead, use ear cleaners that your vet recommends and gently wipe the visible part of the ear canal and also outside of the ear with a cotton ball.

Is there a recommended time for my pet’s nail trims?

Pets need to have their nails trimmed regularly. How often you trim your pet’s nails depends on how active they are and how fast their nails wear down on their own.

As a general rule, you should trim your dog’s nails approximately once a month and your cat approximately every three weeks. And to avoid harming your pet, never cut too close to the quick as that contains blood vessels and nerves.

Should you accidentally cut the quick, you may stop the bleeding by applying pressure on the fresh cut and putting some baking soda, flour or cornstarch on it. If the bleeding persists, seek medical assistance immediately.

How can I make grooming fun?

Grooming sessions should be a good time for your pet and make them feel relaxed and happy. Take your time, give them treats and be kind to them the whole time.

Don’t rush, because it could make your pet nervous or scared. Set up a relaxing routine so that grooming time becomes fun for you and your pet and to spend time together.

Better still, you may book a professional groomer on Groomit to groom your dog in the comfort of your home…and your pets home!

Why is it important to pay attention to my pet’s skin and fur?

When you are grooming your pet, look closely at its skin and fur for any signs of redness, itching, lumps, or other problems. If you spot a skin or hair problems earlier, you can consult your vet right away to help treat and stop the problems from getting worse.

Can I use items meant for people on my pets?

No! You should never use items made for humans to groom your pets. There may be harmless ingredients in human goods that are actually harmful to animals. Always use shampoos, conditioners, and other grooming items made just for pets to keep them safe and healthy.

Why should I think about getting my pet groomed by a professional?

Grooming your pet at home is okay, but letting a professional groomer do it for you has many benefits. For example, professional groomers know how to skillfully handle different tasks of grooming, spot and get rid of parasites, and give your pet a full grooming session that you might not be able to do at home or have the time to.

Professional groomers also can help pets with special grooming needs and keep the pets looking and feeling their best.