Tag: dog grooming

A Taste of the Wild Guide to Pet Grooming

Posted on October 26, 2021 - 2:30 pm by
Taste of the Wild

Pet grooming at home isn’t always easy. Have you ever tried to keep an unwilling dog in your bathtub? Or tried to wrestle with the pointy ends of your cat in a futile effort to make them a little less pointy?

Bathing, trimming, shaving, snipping … not every at-home pet grooming task is suitable for every pet or pet parent. But with a little guidance (and maybe some extra hands), you too can handle pet grooming, no matter how big or small your pet. It’s not hard to keep your pets looking sharp and smelling great.

While every pet is different, and some even look forward to you enlisting outside dog or cat grooming services or making a trip to the pet grooming salon, it’s also possible to conduct regular grooming in your own home with just a little bit of hands-on grooming instruction.

So here’s our collection of our pet grooming advice in one handy Taste of the Wild Guide to Pet Grooming. Whether you have senior dogs who need regular grooming or large dogs who struggle during nail trims, we’ll help you attend to your pet’s specific grooming needs. Read on for everything you need to know about pet grooming!

8 Tips for Do-It-Yourself Home Pet Grooming

A close-up of a person using a pair of nail trimmers to clip a cat's claw.
Here’s a little advice for at-home pet grooming.

Do you know what to do if your dog has been skunked? Or how often you should trim nails or even brush your furry friend? Or what you need to consider when choosing a shampoo for your pet? Here are some tips you may not have considered when opting to tackle (sometimes literally!) your pet’s grooming head-on.

READ MORE TIPS ABOUT AT-HOME PET GROOMING

Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears

A doctor's hand holding a dog's ear open for examination.
Ear cleaning of large dogs or small dogs doesn’t have to be a struggle!

Believe it or not, healthy dog ears actually come with a self-cleaning feature. So, if the ears aren’t bothering your dog, it’s usually best to leave them alone if your furry friend gets regular checkups. Sometimes, however, underlying allergies, secondary bacterial or fungal infections or other problems can disrupt the natural ear-cleaning process and make it necessary for you to clean your dog’s ears. Here’s how to make it easy on you and your dog.

READ DOG-EAR CLEANING 101

How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog or Cat?

A groomer washing a dog's head and ears with shampoo.
Bathing your dog or cat doesn’t always require a grooming salon.

Giving your pet a periodic bath is a good way to help clean, shine and freshen the scent of their coat. But how often should you actually bathe your pet? Do you wait until your pet fails the “smell check” or should the pet bath be a regularly scheduled event, no matter the look and feel of the furry friend? Will too much bathing cause flaky skin or dandruff? Can too much or not enough bathing impact your pet’s health?

What, exactly, is the right amount to bathe your pet? The answer varies, but here’s a way to figure it out for yourself.

READ HOW OFTEN TO BATHE YOUR PET

Pet Nail Trimming Doesn’t Have to Be a Wrestling Match

A white and brown dog holding its paw out to shake with a human hand.
Your pet’s nail trims don’t have to be a headache.

Some pets just get off on the wrong paw when it comes to nail trimming. If their first nail-trimming experiences were painful or scary, they’ll do their best to squirm their way out of it going forward. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you have a puppy or kitten, you can make sure they have a positive experience from the start.

But even if your pet is older and hides behind the couch whenever the clippers come out, it is possible to retrain the lil’ furball.

READ OUR NAIL-TRIMMING TIPS

At-Home Pet Grooming Is All About Knowing Your (and Your Pet’s) Limits

A corgi covered in soapy suds during a bath.
No need to go to the grooming salon.

Handling your pet’s grooming at home can save you time and money while creating a bonding experience between you and your pal. But without a plan in place and without knowing your limits and the limits of your pet’s comfort, the best of intentions might lead to a soggy bathroom at best or disaster at worst. If you have any questions or concerns about how to groom your pet at home without endangering your pet’s health, contact your veterinarian. And remember that there’s no shame in leaving the pet grooming to the professionals!

Dog Ear Cleaning 101

Posted on July 15, 2021 - 2:30 pm by
A dog with long ears sitting on the beach at sunset.

If you bathe your dog at home, trim their nails and groom their coat, you may have thought about cleaning your dog’s ears at home, too. It is possible, but you should always ask your veterinarian first because it’s not always necessary. If your vet does recommend cleaning your dog’s ears at home, we’ve got some tips on how to do it safely.

Your Dog’s Ear Canal Is Self-Cleaning

Believe it or not, healthy dog ears come with a self-cleaning feature. In this process, known as epithelial migration, the skin in the ear canal gradually migrates outwards from the eardrum (the tympanic membrane), carrying with it excess debris.

So, if the ears aren’t bothering your dog and your furry friend gets regular checkups, it’s usually best to leave their ears alone.

Ear Infections Can Make Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears Necessary

Sometimes, however, underlying allergies, a secondary bacterial or fungal ear infection and other problems can disrupt the natural ear-cleaning process and make it necessary for you to clean your dog’s ears.

However, you should never put anything in your dog’s ears without first consulting with your vet. Some cleansers or medications may include ingredients that can be problematic if your dog’s eardrum is ruptured. Alcohol may sting and further inflame the skin.

My Dog Has Itchy Ears — Are They Infected?

If your dog is scratching at one or both ears and shaking their head, that’s usually a sign there’s a problem. Other symptoms of ear infections, ear mites or other problems include an unusual odor and a brownish, waxy buildup. The ear may also be painful to the touch.

If your dog is experiencing these symptoms, it’s time to take them for a checkup. Your vet can examine your dog’s ear canal, including the eardrum, and take samples of ear discharge to help diagnose what’s causing the problem.

In more complicated cases, your vet may need to perform an ear flush to enable proper examination and treatment. Sedation is usually recommended for your dog’s safety and comfort. Severe cases may require surgery, so it is important to control an ear infection if you want to avoid getting to this stage.

If your vet has recommended that you clean your dog’s ears due to an ear infection or another problem, we’ve got some tips to make it easier on both of you.

How to Clean Dog Ears

First, help your dog become accustomed to having their ears handled — ideally, before your dog ever has an ear problem. The next time your dog is sprawled on the couch relaxing with you, gently touch their ears and praise them for calm behavior. Over time, gradually advance to lifting your dog’s ear flap and looking inside the ear. Again, offer praise or a treat when your dog remains calm.

Notice how your dog’s ears look when they’re healthy. Depending on your dog’s skin pigmentation, the skin on the inside of the ear flap should typically be soft and pink, but not red, inflamed or thickened.

Before You Clean Your Dog’s Ears

Set up in an area that’s easy to clean up, such as a bathroom or outdoors. During ear cleaning, your dog may want to shake their head, releasing the ear cleaning solution and ear contents, so you may want to lay a towel down and also dress accordingly.

Use only the ear cleanser that has been prescribed by your vet. Again, you want to avoid any ingredients that could make your dog’s ear condition worse.

Add the Dog Ear Cleaning Solution

Use the ear cleaning solution that your vet recommends — do not use homemade dog ear cleaner unless told to do so by your vet. Homemade remedies may damage your dog’s ears.

Since dogs have L-shaped ear canals, you’ll want to gently pull up on the ear flap to slightly straighten the canal, then fill the ear canal with cleanser. Gently massage the base of your dog’s ear to help loosen any debris deep in the canal. Your dog may lean into this because it feels sooooo good. After a few minutes, allow your dog to shake their head, releasing the cleanser and any debris from the ear canal.

If this process seems messy and you’re wondering how to clean dog ears without solution, talk to your vet first. They can advise you on the best way to clean your dog’s ears, especially if they have frequent ear infections and routine ear cleaning is recommended.

Mop Up the Dog Ear Cleanser

Gently remove the remaining cleanser with soft gauze squares or cotton balls. Never put anything, including cotton swabs, into the ear canal, because this can pack debris deeper into the canal or damage the ear itself. Simply mop up what came out of the ear canal using gauze wrapped around your finger or a cotton ball.

Give Your Dog Lots of Hugs

The last step is to reward your dog for a job well done. Give them plenty of praise and perhaps a tasty treat so they always associate ear cleanings with a positive experience.

For more at-home grooming tips, read our Taste of the Wild guide to pet grooming.

How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?

Posted on April 1, 2021 - 3:00 pm by
A brown dog with bubbles on its head getting bathed by two hands.

Obviously, there are times when your dog definitely needs a bath — like after a morning of mud-puddle mayhem or after rolling in something that’s now unidentifiable and stiiiiinky. But if your dog isn’t covered in a smelly mess, how often should you bathe them?

Can long time intervals between baths cause health problems? If you don’t bathe your dog every month, is it unsanitary? If you bathe your canine companion too often, will they develop dry skin? Well, like many things, the answer is “it depends.”

When to Give Your Dog a Bath

Your dog’s bathing needs depend on their lifestyle, breed, type of coat and the health of their skin. Most dogs with normal skin don’t need to bathe that often, especially if they have short hair. Given that many of them groom themselves to some degree, less-frequent baths — like a bath every few months — should suffice. Obviously, if your dog loves to roll in dirt with carefree abandon or has a certain stank about them, you probably want to start bathing your dog more often.

Longer-haired dogs, as well as those with continuously growing coats such as poodles, typically need regular brushing and more frequent bathing. Professional groomers may recommend a visit every 6 to 8 weeks.

How Often Can You Bathe a Dog?

It was once believed that weekly baths or bathing dogs frequently could strip the coat of important oils and result in dry skin. But as long as you’re using the right pet shampoo, that doesn’t have to be the case (more on that later).

Dogs with skin conditions require more frequent bathing, perhaps even twice a week. The type of therapeutic shampoo will depend on the dog’s skin condition. Some medicated shampoos contain antimicrobials to help with bacterial or fungal skin infections, anti-inflammatories and anti-itch ingredients for dogs with allergies or itchy skin, and degreasing agents for other skin conditions. Medicated veterinary shampoos often contain moisturizers to help replenish natural oils for dogs that are bathed frequently.

Can You Use Human Shampoo on Dogs?

No matter how often you bathe your dog, make sure to use a dog shampoo that’s specifically designed for dogs. Since the pH of dog skin tends to be more alkaline than human skin, human shampoo, even baby shampoo, can be irritating to dogs. Some dog shampoos are specially formulated for different types of coats — thick coats, oily coats, even hairless breeds. If you have any specific questions about what’s right for your dog, ask your veterinarian.

If you have a cat in the house, be careful when using flea shampoo on your dog. Some dog flea shampoos contain ingredients that are toxic to cats. Be sure to read the label before bathing your dog.

Can You Blow Dry a Dog?

It’s important to dry your dog thoroughly after a bath to prevent tangles, skin infections and mats forming. Dogs with short hair can probably do with just being toweled dry by patting (not rubbing) them with a towel designed for dogs. But for dogs with longer fur or double coats, you may want to use a dog dryer as well to make sure they’re really dry.

Dog owners should never use a human hair dryer on a dog — they can be too hot on a dog’s skin. A specifically designed dog dryer (a forced-air dryer) uses airflow to dry the hair, not heat. You’ll need to slowly introduce the dryer to your dog, starting with it turned off, then turned on but not blowing on them and then slowly blowing air on small parts of their body at a time, but avoiding their face and ears. Make sure it’s always a positive experience for them, giving them plenty of praise, high-value treats or other rewards.

Benefits of Dog Bathing

Giving your dog a periodic bath is a good way to help keep your pup clean and freshen the scent of their coat. Plus, it’s an opportunity for you to run your fingers over their skin to check for any lumps or bumps. It may also be a good time to clean their ears — if your veterinarian approves, as cleaning dog ears isn’t always necessary.

When Can You Give a Puppy a Bath?

As a general rule, you can start bathing your puppy after they are 8 weeks old, which is when their body has the ability to regulate temperature and they won’t get too hot or cold. While getting your pup clean, make bath time fun and relaxing. That way, future you won’t be dealing with a scared, anxious adult dog that needs a bath.

Is your dog’s coat due for a spring cleaning? If so, check out more grooming tips and tricks in our guide to pet grooming.

How to Clip Dog Nails: Expert Tips for Nail Trimming

Posted on September 26, 2019 - 3:00 pm by
A close-up of a dog’s two front paws with a pair of nail clippers lying on the floor between them.

Some dogs just get off on the wrong paw when it comes to nail trimming. If their first nail trimming experiences were painful or scary, they’ll do their best to squirm out of it in the future. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you have a puppy, you can make sure they have a positive experience from the start. But even if your dog is older and hides behind the couch whenever the clippers come out, it is possible to retrain them to at least tolerate the nail clippers.

How Often Should You Trim Your Dog’s Nails?

If your dog walks on pavement regularly, the surface acts as kind of an emery board, gradually wearing down the nails naturally. So they may need less frequent nail trims than a dog who doesn’t walk on pavement much and mostly plays on grass. A good rule of thumb is to cut dog nails when they get long enough to touch the ground, or when you hear the “clickety-clack” of your dog’s nails against the flooring.

Long nails can cause paw-pad issues and can affect your dog’s foot and leg structure and how they walk. So it’s important to stick to a regular nail trimming schedule. If you notice unhealthy dog nails while you’re trimming, like brittle, cracked or discolored nails, contact your veterinarian.

Dog Nail Trimming Supplies and Equipment

Perhaps the most important supplies you’ll need for trimming nails are treats, treats and more dog treats. The more delectable the better. Your goal is to make everything a positive experience when you trim your dog’s nails. If possible, cut or break up your dog’s favorite treats into small pieces the size of peas. That way, you have ample supply during the nail trimming session. You’ll want to maintain a relaxed and positive attitude so your dog stays relaxed, too.

Next, you’ll need a nail clipper. There are generally two types: those shaped like scissors and guillotine-style clippers that feature a hole the nail fits through. You can also try a grinder, but some dogs don’t like the vibrations and noise, and the task may take longer.

You’ll also want styptic powder. This will help quickly stop bleeding if you accidentally cut the nail too short. It’s available at most pet stores, but if you’re in a pinch, cornstarch also does the trick.

How to Cut Puppy or Dog Nails

Getting your pup used to nail trimming is all about keeping the session positive. Take each step slowly; it may take several days or weeks to make your pup feel comfortable.

When you first get started, it’s best if you can have someone distract your dog while you’re busy with their nails. So ask someone to help dish out the treats and help keep your dog comfortable and calm. Once your dog is used to nail trimming, you might be able to make it a one-person job.

First, help your dog become accustomed to having their paws handled. Touch and hold your dog’s paws. Lavish them with praise and treats so they know that good things happen when you touch their paws.

Next, introduce the nail clippers. Place the clippers on the floor and encourage your pup to approach the tool by creating a trail of treats up and on to the clippers. Let your dog sniff them and become comfortable being around them.

How to Use Dog Nail Clippers

To trim your dog’s nails safely, it’s important to restrain your dog from moving their paw — but go easy on the restraint. When an animal is held down against its will, it can become stressed and possibly aggressive. To avoid this, ask your helper to gently hold your dog in their lap and give your dog treats every time you handle their paws. Ask your helper to only give your dog treats when you’re touching your dog’s paws so they regard paw-holding as a good thing.

Tap your dog’s nails with the clippers. Again, ask your helper to dish out treats every time you tap the nails. Ideally, your dog will be distracted by the treat and won’t even notice what you’re doing. Then place the clippers over the nail, but don’t cut. Again, praise and treat your dog while it becomes comfortable with the touch of the clippers around the nail.

How Long Should Dog Nails Be?

Cutting a nail too short isn’t fun for anyone, which is why you want to avoid cutting down to the quick of the nail. This is the pinkish area in the middle of the nail that contains a nerve and blood vessel. If you accidentally cut the quick, it can be painful for your dog and the nail can start to bleed. Dogs with dark nails can be more challenging because the quick may not be visible.

If your dog has light nails, and you can see the quick, cut the tip of the nail below the start of the quick. If your dog has dark nails, clip about 1/16th of an inch at a time. As you get closer to the quick, you will begin to see a darker dot at the center of the nail. That’s your cue to stop.

Work your way up gradually. It’s not necessary to clip all the nails at once. Start with one nail and if your dog starts getting uncomfortable, stop the session and try again another time.

Keep Nail Trimming Pawsitive for Your Dog

Helping your dog become accustomed to having their nails trimmed takes lots of patience, praise and good technique. The last thing you want to do is cause stress or discomfort for your dog. So if nail trimming at home isn’t going well, ask your veterinary team if they can do it for you or consult a professional groomer. For more grooming tips, check out our complete guide to pet grooming.