One of the most satisfying experiences in life is owning a pet and developing a bond with it. Whether it’s a cat or a dog, raising and taking care of these pets can bring out aspects of your personality that you never knew about.
Cats have a charm that only a true cat owner will know about. The common misconception that they are aloof and cold animals is far from the truth. On the other hand, dogs continue to live up to their perception and remain the most loyal pets ever.
Taking care of them is much more than kissing, cuddling, and feeding them a few times a day. At the same time, grooming is one of the most important (and hardest) parts of owning a pet. With busy lives, few people have the time and patience to groom their animals and keep them clean. But, if you are committing to the responsibilities, you should prepare for this aspect of owning a pet.
With that in mind, this article will make grooming your animals easier. We advise you to read till the end for a holistic view of what to expect.
Do
1. Prepare for a mess
Many animals become agitated, especially when bathing. Therefore, you can expect them to poop and pee all over the place in the first few attempts. Hence, it would be wise to do this in the yard if possible. This way, you can manage the mess quickly and easily. But if you can’t do that, it’s best to call in a Dog Poop Service to deal with it.
If you do this indoors, in your bathtub, it simply makes cleaning up later much more complicated. The disinfection process comes with the actual cleanup, which is extensive and a big hassle you may want to avoid.
2. Use warm water
No matter how often you have done it, running water on your animals can stress them out and encourage them to react aggressively. This is especially the case if you are using cold water. The initial shock of cold water can force the animal to respond in unpleasant ways. Your animal could end up biting or scratching you, so be careful.
The better option would be to use lukewarm water when bathing them. It might sound strange, but even in the summer, it would be wise to start the process with warm water to keep your animal from getting agitated.
3. Use an open-comb brush
When you finish bathing them, try not to brush them when they are too wet. It can pull at their fur and cause them pain and discomfort. Instead, wait until they are dry or damp, then brush them.
It would be best not to use a stiff brush with sharp wires. Like you would take care of your hair, watching out for their fur is your responsibility. Using something soft with short wires ensures your pet is comfortable. Light brushing sessions are great for taking out knots, leaving your animal’s fur softer and ready for cuddles.
Don’t
4. Get water in their years
Whether it’s a cat or a dog, you need to ensure that while bathing them, you don’t get soapy water in their eyes or ears. Not only is this highly irritating for your pets, but soapy water can also cause ear pain and, in severe cases, fever.
Moreover, if the water stays in their ears for longer, it could cause an infection and force them to constantly scratch their ears to the point where they tear or scratch their skin. So use a soft cloth if you feel their ears and eyes are wet.
5. Be too rough with them
You should avoid bathing your pets as much as possible unless they’ve been outside without a leash. Why? Because you never know what these animals have been through before they came to you. They may even have pre-existing trauma in some situations.
You don’t want to put them back into triggering situations because they can snap at you without warning. Don’t be angry or force them for a bath.
6. Use human shampoo on them
One of the worst things you can do is use standard shampoo on your animals. Sulfates and other chemicals can cause severe skin irritation and lead to infections. These products are not tested on animals and can cause skin issues and diseases.
It would be wiser to get a purpose-made shampoo for animals rather than using whatever is lying around. These may cost a bit more, but they last longer and are specifically designed for animals.
7. Bathe them too often
Please don’t bathe them too often because they can lose a lot of fur during the warm months. Instead, a better option would be to bathe them weekly or once every two weeks.A few times a year for cats and a few times a month for dogs is the best way to go about things. Any more, and you are causing undue stress and causing them to lose a ton of fur in the process. A good alternative is to brush them regularly to keep their fur clean.
Conclusion
There we have it; some common dos and don’ts to consider when grooming your pets. These tips may seem obvious, but many pet owners still struggle to understand their pets. Depending on the animal, there are specific traits to look out for.
You must pay attention to what your pets require to keep them happy and peaceful. From avoiding a mess to bathing them too often, we have covered seven factors to consider when grooming your pets.
If you think we’ve missed anything, please share your two cents in the comments box below.
