Although I am not a pet owner, I have experienced that many pet owners have been able to lower professional grooming costs by practicing routine pet hygiene. If you would like to know how to keep your pooch or feline squeaky clean, here are a few common questions and answers that may prove to be helpful:
How often should a dog be bathed?
Only bathe a dog
when they need it – once a month is fine for most dogs. Schedule it so that you
bathe them at the same time you are due to put on their flea
protectant.
How do you keep a dog calm in a bath? What
is the easiest way to
bathe a dog?
A lot of dogs that enjoy water activities like swimming don’t like baths. If
your dog enjoys swimming, try bathing him outside if it isn’t cold.
For
indoors, put non-slip mats down in the bathtub and use the shower head instead
of the faucet. A hand-held shower head is best. I recommend putting cotton balls
in their ears to absorb water. As with other grooming activities, make it fun
for your dog. Talk to them and praise them while you bathing.
Moisturizing, Odor-control, Medicated ... there are so many
different types of pet shampoo on the market now. What types of shampoo do you
recommend for a healthy dog?
Ask a professional, "What shampoo should I be using?" Your vet can tell you
if your dog needs a special shampoo. Never use dog shampoo on cats; read the
label on pet shampoo beforehand to make sure it's for the correct species and
age of pet you’re bathing.
Can I use regular human shampoo on my
dog?
Never use human shampoo. It is a different pH level, and
the chemicals are too harsh for pets.
What is the best method for
drying a dog?
Towel drying is probably best, but if you do use a
blow-dryer, make sure to use it on the lowest setting. Your dog's skin can burn
easily. I also recommend using a blow-dryer (again, on the lowest setting) for
puppies or kittens, because they will get cold much faster than an adult dog or
cat.
Is it true that you can't bathe cats?
It is true that cats don't like water and they are self-grooming, so you
don't need to bathe a cat unless there is a need – if the coat looks unhealthy,
or the cat has fleas or a skin condition. But it is a fallacy that you can't
bathe a cat. You could bathe your cat once a year during high-shedding season,
but as long as cats don't smell they are OK. Below are the steps I recommend for
bathing a cat:
Trim their nails first and brush their coat, removing any knots or mats.
Have cat shampoo and big, absorbent towels within your reach.

Using the kitchen sink, fill one side with lukewarm water. Make sure the
other side is empty and clean.
Pick the cat up, holding it by the scruff
(between the shoulder blades and behind the neck), and lower it into the
water
Next, move the cat into the side of the sink with no water.
Lather up with shampoo – let it sit for 10 minutes. Allow the cat to hold on
to something, like the edge of the sink. Talk calmly and rub the cat as the
shampoo works.
After 10 minutes, lower the cat back into the water to rinse.
Then towel-dry really good. Cats do not like blow-drying.
How often should a dog be professionally groomed?
If
you aren't properly maintaining your dog's ears, nails and coat, you should take
him to a professional groomer every six to eight weeks. You should always ask
your groomer to do the following:
1. cut hair out of ears
2. clean
ears
3. express anal glands
4. cut nails