It is unlikely that you own a pet (especially a dog or a cat) and are unfamiliar with the term "grooming." Have you ever considered why pet experts put so much emphasis on regular grooming? If you are one of those who think that grooming is just about combing and bathing the pet, then this article is for you. Because, in this article, we have comprehensively explained what grooming actually is and how important it is for you and your pet. In the end, we have also given valuable tips to help you understand how you can make the process convenient and comfortable for you and your friend. So, let's begin.

What Is Pet Grooming

Grooming involves taking care of your pet's hygiene and cleanliness from all aspects to improve its overall health and physical appearance. In addition to combing and bathing, it includes activities like ears, paws, eye cleaning, and hair and nail trimming.

Importance Of Pet Grooming / Benefits Of Pet Grooming

Healthy Fur

Regular brushing prevents the buildup of dandruff, dirt particles, and dead and broken hairs, reducing the itch, irritation, and hairball issues. Furthermore, it also gives the coat a vibrant and shiny look by stimulating the natural oil production from skin cells

Less Hair Shedding

Though pets shed hair naturally (that can cause discomfort and allergies to humans), regular brushing and bathing removes the excess fur. Thus making your pet shed less and minimizing the number of pet hairs you find around your home and on your wardrobe.

Skin Health

Whether your animal friend is hairy or not, regular brushing and bathing keep the skin clean and prevent different skin issues (allergies or infections).

Prevents Fleas & Ticks

External parasites (fleas and ticks) can badly affect your pet's health. If you regularly brush and bathe your four-legged friend, you can detect their presence immediately and take suitable action to help your pet get rid of them.

Prevents Ear Infections

Cleaning the ear from the inside and plucking the extra hairs inside the ears regularly significantly reduce ear infection incidences.

Prevents Eye Problems

If the hairs (especially on the head and around the eyes) are too long or not properly trimmed, they can get in the pet's eyes, causing irritation and infection. So proper trimming of hairs on the head and around the eyes is crucial to keep the eyes healthy.

Protect Feet & Joints

Care of feet and nail trimming is vital for your pet's health. You must keep your pet's feet clean all the time and maintain the appropriate length of nails. If nails are too long, they force your dog/cat to change their gait and start walking on the sides of their feet. If this continues for long, it can cause arthritis and bone deformation.

Check for Abnormalities

Regular grooming enables you to detect any abnormal growth, wound, inflammation, lumps, or bumps on your pet's body as soon as they appear, leading to early treatment and timely recovery.

Strengthen Your Bond

Ultimately, the most crucial aspect of grooming is that it strengthens your bond with your pet. It will make him feel that you love and care for him, and both of you will start enjoying this practice.

Grooming Tips

• Get your pet accustomed to grooming from an early age.
• Always offer a treat after the grooming is over.
• Always use superior quality grooming tools specifically made for your pet’s type.
• The frequency of brushing and bathing depends on many factors like breed, coat type, season, environment, outdoor activity of the pet, etc.
• Be gentle and patient, take your time, and never perform any procedure in a hurry.
• You must learn how to perform different grooming activities (like brushing, bathing, hair trimming, nail trimming, eye or ear cleaning, etc.), or hiring a professional pet groomer is better.

Take Home Message:

Grooming is a fundamental part of pet ownership. It is necessary not only to make your pet look gorgeous but also to ensure its overall physical and mental well-being. If you know how to perform it correctly, you and your pet will enjoy a healthy relationship.