Contributed by Lucy Sheppard
Regular grooming is essential to keep your dog’s coat in peak condition, but it can be a challenging task if you don’t have the right tools for the job. Grooming is necessary to remove dirt, dead hair and tangles, as well as helping to improve circulation and dry skin conditions. Regular grooming will also help to stimulate the oils in your dog’s skin and distribute them throughout the coat. It is therefore important to use the right grooming tools for your dog’s coat type to ensure that you do a thorough job.
Brushes
Bristle brushes
These brushes are extremely versatile and can accommodate dogs with any coat type. They can be purchased in a variety of different bristle lengths with varying spacing between the bristles – basically, the longer the dog’s coat is, the longer and more widely spaced the bristles need to be. These brushes are perfect for removing loose hair and stimulating the skin.
Pin brushes
These brushes are best used to finish off the grooming process, as they work best on a well-brushed coat. Pin brushes are usually oval-shaped and contain a set of flexible wires with pins on top – similar to a human hairbrush.
Slicker brushes
These brushes have fine wire bristles that are set close together on a flat surface, and they are perfect for removing mats and tangles from your dog’s coat. Slicker brushes are also great tools for massaging the skin and removing loose hair from the surface of the coat. Take care not to exert too much pressure when using these brushes, though, as they can cause discomfort to your dog.
Rubber brushes
These brushes also come in the form of a mitt or glove and are great for grooming breeds with short-haired coats. These short-bristled grooming tools enable you to keep a firm grip while grooming.
Combs
Matt combs
These combs will help to remove mats and tangles from most medium to long-haired coats.
Rakes
These grooming tools are especially beneficial during the shedding season, as they are designed to penetrate into thick coats to remove dead undercoat and tangles. It is important to apply minimal pressure when using these combs, as their rows of pins act like a razor when grooming.
Flea combs
These combs have metal teeth and can be used on all types of coats. The comb should be carefully run over the dog’s coat, paying particular attention to areas such as the neck and rump where fleas tend to hide. Any fleas that are found on the comb need to be dipped into a bowl of soapy water to destroy them. This process may need to be repeated several times to ensure that no fleas have been missed.
Shedding tools
These handy grooming tools are designed to help reduce shedding and can be purchased in different sizes to suit the size of your dog. They can be used on both single and double coats and are gentle on your dog’s skin.
Clippers
Professional clippers
A wide range of cut lengths can be achieved with these powerful clippers that can be used on a variety of different coat types.
Rotary motor clippers
These clippers offer a high-powered clip. They are perfect for heavy-coated and multi-coated dogs, and they can be used for performing a medium to heavy-duty clipping job.
Pivot motor clippers
These high-powered clippers are quiet to use and are perfect for trimming around the face and ears. They also come with detachable blades and a couple of different speed options.
Electromagnetic clippers
These are the quietest clippers on the market, and they are perfect for light-duty clipping and trimming. These clippers are very economical to use and have few moving parts.
Scissors
Straight scissors
These scissors are very sharp and are basically used to cut a straight edge. They are perfect for cutting out any small matted areas and trimming hair on the face, tail, ears, and under the paws.
Thinning scissors
These scissors are perfect for using on dogs with thick feathering that needs thinning out – usually on either the legs or rear end. They will gently remove unwanted hair to produce a more natural appearance.
Curved scissors
These scissors have blunt ends and are especially good for breeds like poodles that require a topknot. You will be able to produce an even and rounded finish with these scissors.
Ear and nose scissors
These short scissors are specifically designed for trimming the hair from around the ears and nose.
Nail trimmers
There are basically two main types of nail trimmers: a guillotine type and a scissor type. The guillotine type is the easiest trimmer to use, as the nail can be easily placed inside the fixed ring and then cut off with the cutting blade. Light-coloured claws are easier to cut than dark claws because the blood vessels and nerves are easier to see.
Once you have chosen the right grooming tools for your dog’s coat type, it should make regular grooming sessions quick and easy. It may of course take a little time for you and your dog to get used to the various grooming tools, but eventually you should both feel comfortable and relaxed with the procedure. If your dog needs regular clipping and you don’t feel confident enough to perform this task yourself, then it would be a good idea to take your canine companion along to the local dog parlour for a professional grooming experience.
Author Bio:
Hi, I’m Lucy Sheppard, founder of Petsinlive– A pets product review website where assists you in making a better and well-informed decision.
