Even if your furry friend doesn’t look scruffy or messy, there are several benefits to maintaining your pet’s fur and incorporating consistent grooming habits. Grooming will help prevent potential health conditions, leading to a happier, more comfortable life for you and your lovable companion. It also helps to strengthen the bond between pet and parent by showing an extra level of care and consideration towards your cat or dog! Pet grooming doesn’t have to be fancy or take up too much time – simply brushing your pet’s fur twice a week is a good start and will make such a difference in your pet’s overall wellbeing. Check out the following essentials, all approved by our Chief Product Tester, Leo!

Brush the fur

This is a simple but effective grooming habit that can make a world of difference for your pet! Brushing your lovable companion’s coat 2-3 times weekly will assist with ventilation and promote healthy, strong fur growth! It also ensures there’s no build-up of grease and germs – all of which can create skin irritation and lead to nasty sores if not treated. This will also help to prevent cats from getting hair balls. Incorporating weekly brushes will also give you time to give your fur baby a basic health check and make sure there’s no sores, lumps, or skin concerns forming. Pets can’t always tell where their discomfort is coming from, so weekly brushes gives you the chance to notice things you may have missed! This is also a great opportunity to further bond with your pet and create a soothing, relaxing experience for them. Once your cat or dog gets used to regular brushes, you’ll find them starting to enjoy this grooming experience – adding to their overall happiness! Check out Pet Boutique’s new range of Fur Care products. These products are made from natural ingredients and are designed to moisturise, nourish, and protect your fur baby’s coat. If your pet isn’t a fan of grooming time, perhaps try ease into it after a fun walk or activity.

Check the eyes and ears

There’s more to grooming than just brushing your pet’s fur – checking their eyes and ears regularly is also an important and necessary grooming essential. Your pet’s eyes should always be clear, shiny, and have moisture. If there is any redness or irritation, it’s likely a sign that your pet has a health concern which needs to be addressed by your vet. Your pet’s ears also need routine checks as it’s an easy way to check if they’re forming an infection. Try frequently flipping their ears and taking a quick sniff – there shouldn’t be any inflammation or debris, and they shouldn’t smell like anything either. If you notice or smell something different, it may be a sign that your furry friend has an infection or is starting to form one. We recommend exploring liquid ear cleaners as they are an easy and efficient way to carry out this habit. Try incorporating a routine ear and eye check after your weekly brush to help form good habits for both you and your baby.

Nails

Nails are another important grooming habit that need to be checked and maintained. Regular trims not only keep their nails short but helps to promote healthy foot structure and posture. Active dogs may not need their nails trimmed that often due to their outdoor adventures, but your cats and indoor dogs will require regular trims. If you leave your pet’s nails to grow too long, the nail can start growing into the toe pad and skin, leading to extreme discomfort and possible infections. Always check with your veterinarian or a pet groomer if you’re unsure how to do this, as cutting nails incorrectly can cause a lot of pain and potential hazards for your fur baby!

Teeth

It seems impossible to keep your pet still long enough to get in there and brush those pearly whites, but it must be done! Experts say that ideally you want to brush your pet’s teeth daily, but most should aim for 1-2 times weekly due to how difficult this task tends to be. Pop by the pet store and grab a toothbrush kit for your cat or dog. These are specially designed brushes that fit over your finger, making it easier to insert into your pet’s mouth. These kits also come with pet toothpaste; avoid using human toothpaste as it can upset your fur baby’s stomach! The key is to ease into the task by first muzzling your pet’s jaw for a week, and then slowly introducing toothpaste by letting them taste it. Once they seem comfortable with the toothpaste, you can start to introduce the toothbrush. Try letting your lovable companion chew and play with the toothbrush – it’s much easier to clean their teeth when they’re used to the object.  This whole grooming process is likely to go a lot better if you’re patient and understanding, so incorporate little by little and work from there. For cats and smaller dogs, use a cotton swab and apply the toothpaste under the lips and rub the teeth.

Check with experts and veterinarians

We love seeing our lovable companions enjoy life to the fullest and making small changes to your everyday routine can produce tremendous benefits for both you and your fur baby! While most pet grooming habits are easy to do, we always recommend checking in with industry experts or your local vet if you have any questions or concerns. Don’t feel shy to reach out to professionals for help as they’re likely to have useful tips/tricks, as well as grooming tools to make the process easier. It’s also a good idea to take your cat or dog to a professional pet groomer at least once a year, this ensures they receive a thorough, professional groom with the correct tools and methods.