We cut and comb the dog and cat, i.e. home hairdresser for animals

The daily care of a dog or cat consists in caring for its coat - professional combing or cutting procedures are performed by growers. However, we can also do some activities on our own at home. How do you take care of your pet's coat?

/ Interspecies family

What is the purpose of cosmetic procedures?

Regular combing of an animal's coat brings many benefits - we will improve its appearance, avoid the laborious combing out of matted hair in long-haired pets in accordance with the saying “prevention is better than cure”, we will minimize the number of hairballs. hair that rolls across the floor at the slightest breeze, and even increases the chance of long hair drinking coffee without the ubiquitous fluff. In addition, in cats, combing dead hair reduces the number of hairballs in the esophagus. Grooming is essential for breeds of dogs whose hair is constantly growing (eg poodles), and trimming excess hair between the balls of the fingers (eg cavaliers) will help to avoid felt knots.

Selection of suitable accessories for grooming animals

The amount and type of equipment needed for a proper clipping or combing depends on the type of animal, the type and length of the coat, and the desired effect. Funds should be selected primarily for hairline - for example, in the case of long hair, a comb will be the main everyday equipment, and for short hair, a rubber glove is enough. The idea of ​​combing coarse hair with a comb with sparse teeth would burn in the socket.

What shampoo for a dog or cat?

Bathing the animal will clear the coat of dust, dirt, and accumulated grime, as well as make it easier to untangle. This is also a good opportunity to check your pet's skin for irritation or look for stowaways such as mites and other parasites. The choice of products on the market is huge! Do not use human cosmetics to wash an animal - its smell and composition can irritate sensitive skin. A product intended for cats or dogs is best chosen taking into account the length of the coat or its color. There are commercially available shampoos for pets with long hair that are better suited for more frequent bathing and help to untangle the coat more easily. If we want to emphasize the color of the fur, we can choose one designed for certain colors, emphasizing the natural color.

How to comb an animal?

bristle brush

a good choice for owners of short-haired pets who enjoy easy combing of the animal - skin massage usually gives the animal pleasure, and joint activity brings together. However, the use of a natural bristle brush is only suitable for dogs and cats with short, smooth coats that do not cause problems, such as boxer dogs, domestic cats. It also works well for smoothing long haired animals.

Metal bristle brush

ending with balls, it is ideal for thick wool - thanks to its long teeth, it will reach the thick fluff hidden under the outer hair. Recommended for brushing dogs and cats such as Siberians, Fox Terriers and Labradors.

Gzheben

with large tooth spacing will help detangle long-haired hair, such as the Norwegian Forest Cat or the German Shepherd Longhair. For paws, around the eyes and mouth, you should purchase a comb with a narrower pitch.

Rubberized glove

this is a simple product that we put on our hand and stroke the animal. Suitable for daily care of short-haired cats and smooth-coated dogs. Alternatively, we can choose rubber rakes. It detangles the coat very well, but does not reach the undercoat and does not help untangle tangles.

Trimmer

hair trimming tool, i.e. get rid of excess dead hair. In animals, unlike humans, dead hair remains in the skin for some time, falling out over time - usually when shaking off a freshly washed floor. When grooming an animal, remove dead hair to make room for new hair to grow. Professional gardeners do this by hand, with special finger attachments, or with a tool called a trimmer. We can do this treatment ourselves at home, but be careful - if used incorrectly, we can irritate the animal's skin or even deprive it of most of the undercoat, which will adversely affect its health. The undercoat is an insulating layer that protects against cold and heat, so by depriving it of these short, fluffy hairs, we expose it to freezing or overheating.

Animal clipper

There are special clippers for cutting animals, human hair clippers should not be used for this activity - this can injure an animal that has a much denser and more differentiated coat than ours. Animal clippers are quieter, have better adjusted blades and an on/off button that allows us to react quickly if our dog moves at the wrong moment.

Dog scissors

Grooming some breeds requires the use of scissors to precisely cut off the hair around the mouth and on the paws. They have a rounded blade tip to prevent cuts.

Is summer dog grooming a good idea?

The type of grooming of the animal should be adapted to its coat type, lifestyle and current weather conditions. Contrary to appearances, grooming dogs and cats with thick undercoats for the summer will not necessarily bring relief in hot weather. Shortening the coat can be convenient if the outer coat is shortened without affecting the undercoat. The undercoat performs an insulating function - depriving the animal of natural protection from sunlight and heat, it can prevent cooling. It is strictly forbidden to cut a dog or a cat to the skin, because we expose them to a sunburn. A much better solution than a short haircut would be regular combing to facilitate air circulation. Be aware, however, that there are dog breeds whose shearing changes the appearance of the coat, such as spaniels and setters.

Comb or trim the cat?

In the case of cats, clipping is not necessary, but is sometimes used for practical reasons. Grooming cats is used in animals with felting hair, whose personal toilet is difficult for health reasons, for example, in case of illness, obesity or advanced age. However, if our cat is not accustomed to such treatment and avoids clipping, we should not force it to do so. The best way to care for your pet's coat is to brush it regularly to avoid the negative effects of neglect.

Want to know more about your pet? Look for inspiration in the section I have pets on AvtoTachki Passions!