The Role of Grooming in Dog and Cat Care

Grooming can be a source of stress relief for both you and your pet. However, it’s much more than a way to relax. Pet grooming is crucial in caring for dogs and cats and contributes significantly to their overall well-being.

However, some pets find going to the groomer stressful. This article looks at the importance of pet grooming and how to calm your pet if they don´t enjoy the experience.

Why you should groom your dog or cat

Just like humans, our pets feel better when they’re clean and looking good. If you have a dog that loves to roll in the mud (or something even worse!) you’ll know how important bathing is, but grooming them also keeps their skin and coat healthy.

Cats also need grooming, even though they’re known for keeping themselves clean. If you have a long-haired cat you should brush it every day to avoid a build-up of tangles, in addition to the cat grooming benefits you can read about below.

Pet care and grooming prevent your dog or cat’s hair from matting, which can be very uncomfortable and cause them to nibble or lick the matted area excessively, potentially damaging the skin.

You may enjoy grooming your pet yourself or prefer taking them to the groomer. Whatever you decide, it’s important to help them relax, especially if they get anxious in unfamiliar situations. Adding Lactium® to your pet’s diet can calm them and offer a natural solution for animal stress.

The basic grooming routine your pet needs

Pet grooming includes brushing, but there are also several other things you need to do to keep your dog or cat in good condition. These pet grooming benefits include:

• Nail and paw care – to avoid the discomfort of overgrown nails which can cause joint problems and prevent foreign objects from becoming stuck in the paws.
• Parasite detection – to eliminate fleas and ticks which can cause Lyme disease, tapeworms and allergic dermatitis if the pet’s skin reacts to flea bites.
• Ear cleaning – stopping the build-up of wax and things such as grass seeds entering the ears.
• Teeth brushing – for good hygiene and to prevent periodontal disease.
• Bathing – to control odours and remove dirt and excess oils from the coat.

As you can see, the importance of pet grooming goes beyond a quick brush and bath.

After grooming some pets will lick their paws and skin excessively. This is a natural reaction but can cause hair loss and soreness. Lactium® can help them feel less anxious and less likely to lick.

How to groom your dog or cat

Some pets dislike grooming for no obvious reason. The secret is to make grooming a relaxing time your dog or cat learns to enjoy.

Certain dog breeds will need their coat trimming to avoid matting and keep them cool in the summer. You may find taking a long-haired dog to a professional groomer is easier than trying to cut their hair yourself, especially if they don´t enjoy being groomed, in which case Lactium® can help calm them.

Tips for grooming your dog

These dog grooming tips will make sure your dog enjoys their pampering experience:

1. Brush daily or weekly with a dog brush, depending on if your dog is a short or long-haired breed.
2. Trim claws with a dog nail clipper and never allow them to grow too long as this can cause discomfort when walking.
3. Use a dog ear cleaner and a cotton wool ball to gently clean the outer ear. Avoid inserting anything deep into the ear canal, as this can cause injury.
4. Dog’s teeth should be brushed once a week to prevent dental disease. This is especially important for breeds which are prone to tooth problems. Don’t use human toothpaste as this can upset your dog’s stomach. Dental chews are also good for your dog’s teeth and gums.
5. Use a dog shampoo to bathe your dog as human toiletries can cause skin irritation. Make dog grooming time a pleasurable experience when you can bond and spend time together. Once your dog realises they’ll get a reward for good behaviour they’ll come to enjoy grooming time.

Tips for grooming your cat

Follow our cat grooming tips to encourage your cat to enjoy their grooming session.

5. Use a comb specially designed for cat grooming to avoid damaging their skin. Brush the hair towards the head and then back in the direction the hair grows.
6. Check their claws and if the nails are long trim them using cat nail clippers.
7. If you see dirt inside the ears use a cotton wool ball lightly soaked in cat ear cleaner. Never use a cotton bud as this could damage your cat’s ears.
8. Brush your cat’s teeth gently with a special cat toothbrush and toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste.
9. Cats don´t often need a bath unless they’ve encountered something smelly. To bathe your cat, prepare a large bowl of water and gently lower them in. Massage them gently using a cat shampoo and wrap them in a towel to make them feel secure afterwards.

Using these cat grooming techniques can make this aspect of caring for your pet a positive experience.

Some additional tips for pet grooming

Pet companionship is all about sharing experiences. Ensuring your pet is comfortable will make grooming much pleasanter for both of you. If your pet tends to be nervous you have to get them to learn to trust you, whether for brushing or nail clipping.

In addition to the tips below, giving your pet a product containing Lactium® can help relieve their stress.

• Always have the tools you need such as clippers or shampoo within easy reach so you don´t have to leave your pet alone.
• Use flea and tick prevention medication on the advice of your vet, rather than wait for these infestations to occur.
• Don’t use a hair dryer as the noise can be frightening and the heat too intense.
• If your dog or cat doesn´t like being brushed start with one part of their body and build up to others over several weeks.
• If your pet doesn’t enjoy the feeling of a comb or brush try using a grooming glove, which can be relaxing for them.

And finally… don’t forget the Lactium® supplement – one of the key tips in the importance of pet grooming!

Contact us to find out more about how Lactium® can be part of your dog or cat’s grooming session.