Expert Dog Grooming Tips for Loving Parents

• Legs: The inside, outside and over the toes.

• Armpits, groin, underbelly and bottom: High friction areas from walking, sitting or laying.

• Muzzle: This area knots easily as it is often wet from drinking and attracts food from meals.

• Longer hair on the tail and ears: Don’t forget to flip the ears over and brush all the hair from the inside to the ear’s outer edge.

• Clean around the eyes: Use a soft, damp cloth as regularly as possible for your pet to prevent gunk buildup.

• Check your dog’s ears weekly: Clean them with an ear-cleaning solution as regularly as necessary. You can find a range of ear-cleaning solutions at our shop.

• If your pet wears a jacket: Remove the jacket daily to air out your dog’s coat and skin, and completely brush through the coat.

• Collars, harnesses and clothing: These cause friction on the coat causing knots and tangles which can form quickly. These areas require more frequent brushing.

If you’re unsure, you can ask us to show you how to care for your pet coat. We are happy to show you what tools are essential in keeping your pet’s coat in top condition, how to handle your pet while grooming, and what areas to pay special attention to.

Handling Mat Removal and the Associated Risks

Matting is when the undercoat has formed together and may be caused by repeated scratching, licking or biting of the area or lack of brushing and grooming. Matted coats can cause a variety of skin and health problems.

If the matted area of the coat cannot be detangled or brushed out, it will need to be cut or shaved out, which presents a greater risk of injury during the grooming procedure, such as nicks and cuts, as it is required to work close to the skin.

The after-effects of mat removal procedures can include itchiness, skin redness, self-inflicted irritations or abrasions and failure for the hair to regrow.

The best preventative to avoid matting is regular brushing at home and to set up a regular professional grooming schedule suited to your pet. If a longer cut is desired, more at-home maintenance is required, as well as more regular professional grooming. Sometimes shorter more manageable style is best suited.

The best tools for at-home maintenance are a slicker brush and a metal comb. The slicker brush is designed to brush the top coat and assist with mat removal. The comb is essential for brushing the coat right down to the skin, removing the undercoat, and ensuring any tangles are found before they become a problem.

If you’re unsure, speak with Nicole today to find out what is most suitable for your pet.