Mount Carmel Animal Hospital wants to provide you with more helpful tips regarding the grooming process for certain dogs and cats.
The entire month of September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month. So, what does it mean to be a responsible, devoted pet parent? It’s more than ensuring your pet is healthy and routinely sees a veterinarian. To further celebrate Responsible Dog Ownership Month, Mount Carmel Animal Hospital wants to provide you with more helpful tips regarding the grooming process for certain dogs and cats.
What’s Included in a Regular Pet Grooming Session?
Pet grooming is much more than bathing your dog or cat. It helps to keep your pet clean and healthy. In addition, grooming has advantages beyond keeping your dog or cat looking and smelling clean. The services included in a pet grooming session will vary based on your needs and what you choose to pay. Some dogs, such as Shih Tzus, have thick coats that can get matted and tangled without constant care. A pet grooming session also includes hygiene services like ear cleaning, nail trims, and an external anal gland expression.
Dog Breeds Grooming Specifications
Despite their fantastic visual appeal, dogs with long-haired coats need significant maintenance versus short-coated breeds such as Labradors, Boxers, Weimaraners, and Jack Russell Terriers typically that only require occasional baths. A long-haired coat type is long and flowy. It might even reach the floor in some breeds. For dogs with long-hair coats, a groomer visit is recommended every 6 to 8 weeks. A few common long-coated dogs include Yorkshire Terriers, Old English Sheepdogs, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzus, and Maltese dogs. Even though Poodles are not considered long coated, they do require regular grooming.
Long-Haired Coat Special Grooming
You must regularly visit the groomers to complete long-haired coat grooming correctly. Here’s what you can expect during a pet grooming session.
Start with Shampooing and Conditioning
A professional dog groomer will begin the session with a smoothing conditioning shampoo designed for long-haired breeds. This will make it faster to brush and manage their fur. In addition, conditioners are important to maintain the coat strong and smooth. The groomer might use a spray to minimize matting and static before brushing the dog’s coat.
The Importance of Brushing
It’s essential to utilize a brush designed for long-haired dogs. It functions to gently untangle the fur and eliminate any dead hairs from the coat. The professional groomer may also use a standard poodle comb to smooth the dog’s coat further and detangle it.
Cutting Long-Haired Dogs
Cutting your long-haired dog depends on personal taste, time of year, and lifestyle. You’ll leave your dog’s hair long and focus on regular brushing if you’re taking them to a dog show. If you desire to tidy the coat, a professional dog groomer can remove the weight out of the coat with thinning scissors.
Finishing Touches
Bows, clips, and bands are excellent finishing touches for breeds with long hair covering their eyes and face. You can help your long-haired breed see clearly by tying up their hair during the warmer months. Some grooms will finish with some doggy cologne and shining spray.
More Maintenance in Long-Haired Breeds
In reality, it can be challenging to notice any problems with your dog’s skin in long-haired breeds. Luckily, a dog groomer can inspect their skin health as they groom to identify any imperfections. Our groomers at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital work closely with our medical staff, making it easy to address any potential concerns during your pet’s grooming services. They’ll also trim their feet and possibly provide pawdicures to keep their feet and nails healthy.
Cat Breeds
There’s a prevalent misconception that shorthaired cats don’t require grooming because of their shorter fur. Especially as cats age, their grooming habits can decline, leaving them susceptible to matting. It is crucial to monitor your cat’s coat quality for matting. Domestic shorthaired cats typically only require brushing once a week and a bath every 4-6 weeks (unless they are dirty). On the other hand, long-haired cats are lovely, but they do require a lot more maintenance. Examples of longhaired cat breeds include Persians, Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Norwegian Forest cats. Here are several tips when it comes to long-haired cats:
- Daily brushing with a quality comb is a must because you will notice a massive difference in the amount of fur they leave on your floor and furniture.
- Also, detangling your long-haired cat’s fur will help to minimize tough mats that are challenging to brush.
- In addition, long-haired cats will require routine trimming or shaving.
Here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital, We’ll Treat Your Pets Like Family!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook!