During lockdown your pet may be missing his or her monthly visit to the pet spa; and you may have some extra time on your hands, so why not give them a bath!

Thanks to our Pet Spa team and Grooming Manager, Alison Brown, we've put together this quick guide to assist you and provide you with some very helpful tips for grooming your pet at home. 

Please always be patient with your pet during grooming as some enjoy it, some don't and some are afraid. Praise them when they are being good and brave, keeping your tone low at all times. 

1. The brush before the bath!

Firstly, it's best to brush out your pet's coat before you bath them so that the experience is a lot more comfortable for them. It will ensure that the water and soap can get through their coat as easily and thoroughly as possible; and it will also ensure you don't worsen any knots or tangles. 

1. Find a table or surface which is at a comfortable height for you and your pet. 
2. Place a rubber mat, or old exercise mat on this work surface. This will ensure your pet doesn't slip and potentially hurt a leg.
3. Start with a slicker brush and work from the back foot. 
4. Brush downwards, going up in layers towards the top of the leg. Start at the foot brushing down to the skin, in horizontal lines. 
5. Be careful - brush TO the skin and not the actual skin as this can cause a brush burn. 
6. After having brushed a line across, use a comb to make sure all the knots are out. 

Then repeat the process on the tummy, back, front legs, face and ears.

TIPS:

• When brushing your pet's legs, remember to keep the back knee well below the hip and the front elbow well below the shoulder, or you may cause harm to the joints. 
• Praise them when they are being good or brave but keep your tone low. If you raise your voice to a higher pitch it may get them excited and you need to keep them as calm as possible during grooming. 

2. The way to wash!

Washing your pet can be a very challenging exercise but we hope these steps will help make it a more fun and easy experience for both you and your pet. These few steps should help make it more manageable and ensure your pet is as safe and comfortable as possible. 

1. Place a rubber mat in the bath or shower for your dog to stand on. 
2. Keep their lead on and secure it to a handle (not the tap handle) on the side of the bath, or your wrist - this is to prevent your dog from being able to jump out the bath or slip and injure themselves. 
3. Using luke warm water (baby bath temperature) soak your pet's coat thoroughly. 
4. Lather your pet's coat with shampoo, massaging it slowly right to the skin from head to toe. Avoid shampoo going near their eyes. 
5. Rinse their coat thoroughly to the skin, again with luke warm water.
6. Start at their head and work the water along their back to the sides, tummy and then top of the leg to the toe. 
7. Once they are rinsed... repeat the rinse! This is to ensure no shampoo is left behind on the skin as this can lead to hot spots.

3. The dry-down

For this next step you will need three towels and a hair dryer. 

1. While your pet is still in the bath, give their coat a firm but gentle squeeze to get rid of most of the dripping water. 
2. Dry them as much as possible with the first towel and repeat with a second towel.
3. Move your pet to the table again to continue. 
4. Place your third towel over the rubber mat - your pet may 'help you out' by rubbing themselves dry on the mat. 
5. When blow-drying your pet, start off on a low speed at a medium or cool temperature, never hot!
6. Keep the hair dryer about 20cm away from your pet's coat to avoid their skin getting too hot. 

TIPS:

• It is best to dry their body before their legs and head as you want to get them nice and dry as quickly as possible. 
• Keep talking and praising them keeping your tone low and calm. 
• If you have a small or medium sized pet who may be frightened of the hair dryer, you could hold them on your lap, in the towel to help them feel more secure.

The grand finale!

Once they are dry, it's back to the brush! Repeat the same brushing exercise as before the bath; and WHALAA!

Your pet is looking, feeling and smelling fresh and clean; and is tangle free.

We hope you've found this article helpful. If you have any other questions about grooming your pet at home, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@absolutepets.com. 

Happy and healthy

The Absolute Pets team