Common Mistakes in Home Pet Grooming

Lets take a look at several mistakes dog owners make

while attempting to groom their pets at home. With

patience and the right equipment, pet grooming can become

a learned skill and a duty that will save the pet owner

both time and money. You have to be careful because a

slip of the clipper can cause serious injury to your pet.

Physical and emotional injury. Once you cause pain to

your pet, trust can be lost and your pet may react

differently to you.

Not Too Close...

Getting too close to the skin while shaving is a common

mistake. The clippers can leave a painful razor burn

that can later become infected. If this happens, stop

and clean the wound, then apply an anti-bacterial salve.

Hug your pet and let it know you are sorry and that it

was an accident. They will understand the affection if

not the words. If the wound becomes red or there is pus,

contact your vet immediately. You can get a protective

collar to keep your pet from licking or otherwise

irritating the wound.

Please Don't Blind The Pooch!

Another mistake in pet grooming is getting shampoo or

other chemicals in the pets eyes. Soap can splash from

your pets head movement and once it gets into your pets

eyes it can sting the eyes and lead to a very unpleasant

experience. Wash the soap out with water or saline

solution and dab the corners of the eye with a sterile

cloth. Be sure to soothe your pet and you can distract

them with a toy or ball to take the focus off their eyes.

Move the toy back and forth and as your pet watches the

toy, look into their eyes for signs of irritation.

Leaving your animal unrestrained during grooming can be a

fatal mistake. Some animals will run and possibly put

themselves in dangerous situations trying to escape the

grooming process. Make sure your dog is on a leash. You

can also muzzle your pet to protect both of you. If you

wash your dog outside, make sure the area is fenced in so

there will be no temptation to run.

Maybe Professionalism is Better...Not!!!

Professional grooming is the best option, but doing it

yourself can be a rewarding experience, not to mention

saving yourself some money. If the proper safety tips

are followed you can bond with your pet and have a very

successful experience.

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