Dog Training

Four Essential Pet Grooming Tools

There’s more to pet grooming than simply giving your pet a bath. It’s also about caring for their health and examining their body and fur. Pets can’t talk about their problems. But as you’re grooming them, any hidden problems will emerge.

When you properly groom your animal, you will notice if there are spots on him that look out of the ordinary. You will notice right away if he has fleas, ticks, or wounds and you can deal with them properly. You’ll find that this is the best way to give your pet the care it needs.

You’ll need to have the right pet grooming supplies on hand before you start tending to your pet. Following is a list of the essentials.

1. Brushes. Make sure you use a brush that’s made specifically for the kind of cat or dog you own. Choose a pin brush that has a metal comb and wide spaces. This is ideal for pets that have thicker hair or mats.

Once you’ve run a pin brush through the pet’s hair, next you’ll want to use a slicker brush. These are usually shorter and may be bent at the end. Because the spaces are closer together, it gives a more complete comb through.

2. Combs. For combs, you’ll again want to look at the distance between the pins. Those that are closer together will give the best comb through. But before using a thin comb, it’s essential that any knots or mats be brushed out thoroughly.

3. Nail Clippers. Look for a good quality pet nail clipper. It’s important that you don’t cut into the skin. If he starts bleeding, try some styptic powder to stop it. Make sure to get some training from your vet on how to cut nails before doing it yourself.

4. Clippers. If you will be cutting the animal’s fur, you should look for a good quality clipper. These can be purchased at any pet store. Check that the blade is the correct size. Remember that the size of the blade determines just how close the cut will be. You may want to purchase several different sizes.

Most of the tools that you need to do a thorough job of pet grooming are available at your local pet supply store. You can also find them on the web. In any case, you will want to purchase high quality products that will last a long time. Keep them in good shape, cleaning and sanitizing them after each use as instructed by the manufacturer.