Petland Logo
Login/Register

Please create a free account, or login by clicking here.

Menu

Download our Petland App today for information on your local Petland's Available Pets and Pet Supplies. All at the tips of your fingers!

Top DIY Pet Grooming Tips

March 18, 2021

Dogs do not seem to understand that rolling around in puddles and chasing skunks equates to bad doggo. They just want to have their fun, and sometimes, there’s really nothing you can do to stop them. But of course, you’re saddled with the responsibility of keeping them clean. For grooming, some tools you need include: 

So, for the times you cannot visit a professional groomer or you want to DIY, here are the major areas of grooming and how to get your ‘groom’ on. 

Brushing and Bathing 

You would need to create a routine, and you can start by brushing your dog for a few minutes at different times during the week. Whether or not you would be proceeding to a proper bath, brushing down is important because it gets rid of most of the heavy dirt. Get your dog used to being brushed while she’s standing and for baths, high-quality dog shampoo should be used. 

Haircut!

After a brush-down and a bath, you might want to do some trimming. If you’re using a pair of scissors, you would have to be extra careful, but ideally, professional clippers or shears are recommended. A grooming table also makes the process seamless and before the trim, ensure that your pup is dry and clean. Use the tips of the shears to prevent injury and for matted hair, use a clipper instead. 

Shaving!

A spot without distractions, a dry, clean dog, and a sharp blade are the players here. Starting around the neck is recommended with the blade kept flat against the skin. Exercise caution around thin skin like the hocks (thigh and hip), underarms, and joints. A No. 10 blade is ideal for this and you should check the blades as they tend to heat up and burn the skin. If you’re not confident of your shaving abilities, don’t wing it. You don’t want your pet left with cuts. 

Trimming Nails

First off, you need to get your pet used to the sound of the nail grinder or clippers. As a rule of thumb, white nails should be clipped until you see ‘the quick’ (usually pink), and black nails should be clipped gradually until a black dot appears at the tip. Clipping action should be done slowly, but with the clip closing fast, and dull clippers should be avoided as they can cause splitting and chipping. While using the grinder, make sure you stop before ‘the quick’. Mistakenly clipped the quick? Dab on some styptic powder to stop bleeding. 

And there you have it, your pet is all groomed and ready to take on the world!

Related Articles

View All Articles

  • The Seven Oldest Breeds of Dogs

    The Seven Oldest Breeds of Dogs

    They are known as man’s best friend and recent research indicates that they may have been given this title longer than we first believed. Although many dog breeds date bac...

    Read More

  • They’ll Fight Like Cats and Dogs! Or will they?

    They’ll Fight Like Cats and Dogs! Or will they?

    As the saying goes, they’ll fight like cats and dogs… Not necessarily if you find the right dog. But what qualities does a dog need in order for it to get along well...

    Read More

  • Top Pups for First Time Dog Owners

    Top Pups for First Time Dog Owners

    Adding a dog to your family is a very fun and exciting part of life, however, does come with some challenges. Realistically, your pup is a part of your family and will be for ma...

    Read More

  • Tips for Keeping Your Pup Healthy in the Winter

    Tips for Keeping Your Pup Healthy in the Winter

    With winter here, we all know the challenges of staying warm and safe. We must also take into consideration the well-being of our pets as the temperature drops. Here are a few s...

    Read More

  • Top Five Dog Breeds Who Love to Play Outdoors

    Top Five Dog Breeds Who Love to Play Outdoors

    If you love spending time in the great outdoors and are considering adding a fur-legged friend to your family this blog is for you. Making sure you find a dog that enjoys spendi...

    Read More

  • Help! My Dog Ate Chocolate!

    Help! My Dog Ate Chocolate!

    We all know that the only time we should use the words chocolate and dog in the same sentence is when we use them to identify a “Chocolate Lab.” Chocolate, although ...

    Read More

  • Can Dogs Smell Cancer?

    Can Dogs Smell Cancer?

    Dogs have helped humans out over hundreds of years. From rescuing people, to tracking missing persons, to detecting bombs, to herding sheep. One of the most amazing abilities th...

    Read More

  • Separation Anxiety in Dogs

    Separation Anxiety in Dogs

    Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety experience tension, stress, mental discomfort, and confusion. This anxiety manifests when a dog feels insecure when left alone at home a...

    Read More

  • What are Roundworms in Dogs?

    What are Roundworms in Dogs?

    Roundworms are a parasite that can commonly affect house pets such as dogs and cats. There are two primary species of roundworms. The first is Toxocara Canis. This type of paras...

    Read More

  • Black Widows and Dogs

    Black Widows and Dogs

    We often associate our fur-legged friends being bit by ticks and fleas. These pesky creatures are known for their persistency and potential health risks. Ticks and fleas are par...

    Read More

  • Best Apartment Dog Breeds

    Best Apartment Dog Breeds

    Small living quarters does not mean having a dog is off limits. Generally speaking, larger dog breeds such as a German Shepherd or Husky do better with more spacious living area...

    Read More

  • Bacterial Infections in Dogs – What Is It, How Are They Caused, And How to Treat It?

    Bacterial Infections in Dogs – What Is It, How Are They Caused, And How to Treat It?

    If your dog has recently been diagnosed with a bacterial infection making sure he receives the proper care is crucial. There are many different types of bacterial infections, an...

    Read More

Help Need Help? Back to Top