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Doggy shampooing
One of the keys to maintaining your pup’s shiny coat is using the right products. Never use a shampoo intended for human use. A dog’s skin is much more sensitive than human skin, so the wrong shampoo can cause excessive drying of the hair coat and flaking of their skin. According to Mika of Petgroomer.ca, the best way to find the right shampoo is through trial and error. Every dog is different and requires different products. For example, Cocker Spaniels tend to have oily skin and don’t require much, if any, conditioner. Whereas, a Maltese has very sensitive skin. When shopping for a dog shampoo, consider these factors:
1) PH should be lower than human shampoo
2) Natural ingredients
3) Tearless formula
WE LOVE Spa Dog Botanicals Urban Shampoo & Conditioner Set. Made from a nourishing and healing blend of sweet orange, balsam of Peru, ylang-ylang, comfrey leaf and other effective botanicals that will create a soft coat with remarkable sheen. Available at Terrificpets.com
HOW OFTEN Bathing should be done on an “as-needed” basis. Frequency depends on the individual pet, but Mika suggests no more than once a month. If you shampoo more often, invest in a good doggy conditioner.
TIP According to Mika Suzuki of Petgroomer.ca, the most important thing do is not get your dog wet before you’ve combed their coat—especially if you have a puppy. The softer the fur, the more important it is to brush out the knots and tangles before getting your puppy wet. Once your dog is wet, the knots become almost impossible to brush out.
Doggy brushing and combing
Regular brushing is vital for a healthy coat of hair. Dog brushes also spread the natural skin oils throughout your pet’s coat, which keeps it healthy and gives it that shiny look. If you’re not sure what type of coat your dog has—and what type of dog brushes, combs and other tools you need—you may want to consult with your breeder, veterinarian or a professional groomer. Here are some brushes we recommend:
LONG-COATED DOGS Use a slicker brush (shown above) that has fine wire pins, which is ideal for removing loose hair and mats on dogs with longer coats.
SHORT-COATED OR SENSITIVE DOGS Use a brush with rounded polished tips for comfort. A bristle brush is best for everyday grooming. On a long-coated dog, a bristle brush can be used to finish the coat and bring out its natural luster and shine.
CURLY, WAVY, OR WIRY-COATED DOGS Use a pin brush—usually oval with metal bristles set in a flexible rubber base. These brushes work great to separate and untangle. Make sure you get a brush that has polished pins or coated pins so the brush doesn’t scratch and irritate your dog’s skin.
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