Regular grooming is just as important as bringing your pet to the vet. Not only does grooming your pet lead to a healthy coat, but it helps identify any underlying skin conditions or disease. Grooming helps your pet look it’s best on the outside and inside!
Proper pet grooming benefits both you and your furry friend. For you, your pet will be soft, clean, and stinky-breath-free when they crawl into your bed in the morning. For them, they’ll remain in tip-top physical shape with a shiny coat, nourished skin, and fewer health problems to worry about.
So, how do you offer your pet the best in hygiene care?
Our veterinary specialists have put together some expert dog and cat grooming tips to simplify your life — and bolster your pet’s well-being.
At AskVet we take a lifestyle approach to pet wellness. We believe when you live a healthy lifestyle, so does your pet. The hardest part can be finding that wellness balance—we’re here to make it easy.
With the AskVet mobile app you can:
Always be aware of abnormalities
Brush and bathe regularly according to breed
Cut their claws once a month
Demonstrate daily dental care
Engage in an ear cleaning to avoid infection
Unfortunately, our pets can’t exactly tell us what’s wrong. However, they can usually show us. Consistently check for abnormalities around the eyes, ears, and mouth, and inspect your dog’s for fleas, ticks, rashes, and other irritants.
Remember these visible and behavioral warning signs and act accordingly:
Bad breath, sudden drooling, tartar build-up, or avoiding facial contact → Dental issues
Dandruff, bad smell, and excessive itching or rubbing against the carpet (as well as obvious visible signs like muddy or matted hair and mites or fleas) → Time for a bath
Head shaking or tilt, ear scratching or itching, red, swollen inner ear, dark discharge, and altered balance → Ear infection
Toenails clicking against hardwood floors → Nails need a trim
Obsessive or complete lack of self-grooming in cats, or sudden personality changes in dogs and cats → An underlying health problem
Each breed has vastly different needs, which is why you should always ask a veterinarian about your
Just like humans, your pet’s nails will grow indefinitely. If left unattended, that can cause some serious discomfort and even sharp pain—after all, they’re constantly putting pressure on them as they walk, run, and play.
To prevent overgrown nails, trim their nails regularly but only if you feel comfortable doing so; otherwise, recurring trips to the vet or groomers will be a much safer option.
Cutting their nails too short or clipping the quick can be extremely painful. Use proper equipment, such as specific cat or dog nail clippers or a rotary trimmer, and always keep a cauterizing powder on hand to stop bleeding.
Dental care is about more than clean teeth—it impacts your pet’s overall health and well-being! At minimum, dogs need a solid tooth brushing at least three times a week (daily is even better). Use dental treats and toys to stimulate chewing, which naturally cleans the mouth, strengthens their teeth, and
prevents plaque buildup.
For a full list of dental duties, brush up on healthy oral hygiene tips with us!
Infections require prompt professional veterinary care and should not be treated with at-home remedies. However, you can take an active role in preventing such infections with a regular ear cleaning: