Dog Grooming at Home in Lockdown 2020

Dog grooming is an integral part of having a pet at home. It is important to know all the necessary and basic techniques and you are good to go for a couple of months before you take your dog to the groomer. The lockdown has forced people to try out dog grooming at home. A lot of you may not even need to go to a groomer after this all these grooming products cover the basic needs of grooming a dog. These techniques are cost-effective and some of them only require a one-time investment. So let us list out all the necessary products that will make your good boi feel and look neat, clean and fresh!

List of essential dog grooming products:

1. Oil for the Skin and Coat
2. Shampoo
3. Coat Conditioner
4. Assorted Brushes & Deshedding Tools for the Coat
5. Nail Clippers and Filers

So let us one by one talk about the importance of these products:

Oil for the Skin and Coat:

Oiling is the first stage of grooming. Like us humans, dogs also tend to face the problem of flaky dry skin. This leads to a lot of shedding apart from seasonal shedding. If not taken care properly, dry skin could lead to a lot of other dermatological issues. It is always nice to use some type of organic or essential oil for your dog. Coconut oil is one of the most gentle and effective oils out there. It is cost-effective and can be used by humans as well. Applying any sort of essential oil one hour before taking a bath is quite beneficial and good for the skin and coat. 

Shampoo: 

It is extremely important to use the right kind of shampoo that suits your dog and doesn’t give him any sort of allergy or unwanted hair shedding. You can use a shampoo recommended by groomers and vets. It should have a proper pH balance and irritation-free. The ones we have used in the past are Procott and Himalaya Erina Plus coat cleanser and conditioner. Recently we started using Kreak ‘n’ Krips dog and cat shampoo which has the goodness of Neem. Neem is a natural disinfectant and makes the coat shiny. It also helps in controlling hair shedding. But again, to each, his own. Different shampoo brands suit different dogs.

Shampooing once a week is enough unless it recommended otherwise by the vet. The dog’s diet also makes a huge difference in the quality of the coat. In my dog’s case, Royal Canin made his coat shiny but the food was heavy for him to digest which is why we shifted to Pedigree. The coat isn’t as shiny as before but he likes the food. In the end, what is important is to have a healthy, clean coat. There are a lot of dry shampoos available for those dogs who don’t like taking a bath the conventional way on a regular basis. 

Coat Conditioners:

Some people really like to have shiny, silky and knot-free coats. This is essential if your dog is a long-haired breed. In such cases, coat conditioners come in handy. Some shampoos are two in one but in some cases, you need a different product to make it extra shiny and soft. In my dog’s case, we use a special post-bath spray conditioner called Comfoderm that makes his coat soft and tangle-free. It also solves the dry skin problem and gets absorbed by the skin easily giving the coat a refreshing look. This product is optional and can be used as per the recommendation of a vet. 

Assorted Brushes & Deshedding Tools for the Coat:

It is extremely important to brush your dog’s coat on a regular basis and after the bath. Brushing improves the quality of the coat and eliminates tangles. A lot of long-haired dog breeds like Shih-Tzu or Maltese terrier and other such dogs, matting becomes a huge problem if not brushed regularly. Apart from a regular trimming at the spa and salon (which you should mostly avoid doing at home if you aren’t skilled) brushes helps in keeping the tangles and knots away. There are a variety of brushes available in the market and cater to different kinds of problems. The slicker brushes help in eliminating dead hair. Then there is the regular brush for long-haired dogs that detangles the knots easily. You can also use certain combs for more effective use. I have recently started using a Furminator for my dog and the results are pretty good. 

Nail Clippers and Filers:

This is one of the most crucial parts of grooming and needs a lot of care and experience. Dogs are very sensitive about their paws and nails in general. It is important to trim them on a regular basis or you will get a lot of scratch marks on your furniture and body. You need to clip their nails very carefully. They shouldn’t be too small or too sharp. For those who end up with sharp nails should definitely use a nail filer specially made for your dog. 

You and your dog, both need to stay calm while doing this. 

Since the Coronavirus has inadvertently put all the families in lockdown, dog grooming at home has become the most essential thing out there. 

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