Grooming your beloved puppy, dog, kitten or cat, is not only about making them look ship-shape, it's also an essential aspect of pet care. We asked our Absolute Pets vet, Dr Cooper, why it is so important.
For a happy and healthy pet!
There are so many good reasons to consider a regular trip to a Pet Spa and the number one reason, of course, is the well being of your loyal pet.
Put simply, grooming improves your pet's condition. A brush aerates their coat and is good for blood circulation as well as removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores. For long-haired pets, grooming helps to prevent mats which can be painful and difficult to remove and, for cats, grooming prevents hairballs.
When it comes to hygiene, especially of long-haired cats and dogs, grooming can help keep all the nooks and crannies clean, preventing nasty infections.
How often should you 'groom'?
We would suggest you book in to a top quality Pet Spa at least once a month, especially for long-haired breeds.
For home grooming, we suggest daily brushing for long-haired pets and for more short-haired breeds, weekly. Eyes and ears should also be checked and cleaned at home if necessary. You can find our range of home grooming products here.
Grooming recommendations are generally the same for dogs and cats with the exception that cats groom themselves so are cleaner than dogs and thus don’t really need to be washed. They also stress easily so if a wash is necessary a dry shampoo can be used.
It's a great bonding opportunity
We all love one-on-one quality time with our special people, so why should it be any different with our loyal companions? It may take a little getting used to at first, but grooming at home is a chance to bond and well, that's important. The one-on-one time also allows you to check for any lumps and bumps, wounds or external parasites and skin condition, and if there is anything out of the ordinary you can book an appointment with your vet.
How to ensure your pets love their Pet Spa experience
As with most aspects of pet care, if you can start grooming from a young age, it is more likely that your dog or cat will enjoy the whole experience. However, for a professional groom the primary vaccination course must be complete (around four months of age).
When grooming at home, our advice is to keep brushing sessions short to start with, and keep the mood light and fun. If you need to, use a few treats.
When considering a professional Pet Spa, take your pets for a meet and greet before the whole grooming experience to familiarise them with the new people and environment and start with only a brush.
You can also ask to be there for the first time and take a few treats with you to make it fun. For cats, you will need to get them used to travelling to the Pet Spa in a carrier so that they are not stressed. There are a variety of calming products on the market that can help pets relax a little more, especially when the experience is so new.
Speak to your vet
Each pet has individual grooming requirements which are definitely worth discussing with your vet. So chat about this when you next go for a check-up.
About our Pet Spas at Absolute Pets
Our Pet Spas around South Africa are kitted out with world-class equipment and we only use the very best products. Our groomers are highly trained and ready to give the very best experience to your cats or dogs. We understand and appreciate the relationship of trust that needs to be built with each pet and love getting to know each and every character.
Find a Pet Spa near you.