August 2nd, 2022 by Becky Calvert

Unlike cutting your dog’s fur which most people prefer to leave to a professional, a few dog grooming steps can be done from home, or done in between grooming appointments to keep your pooch happy and clean. Here is our simple guide to keeping your dog groomed and looking fresh at home!

1. Wash and Dry

Keep your pooch smelling and looking their best by washing their fur semi-regularly. Some breeds need washing more than others, but it’s important to remove any dirt and bacteria from their fur to keep them smelling fresh. However, it’s also important to not over-wash your pooch as this can irritate their sensitive skin. We wouldn’t recommend washing your dog more than once every 1-2 weeks.

The kind of shampoo that you use matters. Harsh chemicals and toxins can leave your dog feeling sore and irritated. Pretty Pooch’s Oatmeal Shampoo is designed to be pH neutral, hypoallergenic and kind to sensitive skin. It’s also fragrance-free – perfect for all breeds!

2. Brushing

Keeping your dog knot-free can be challenging, especially if you have a long-haired breed. We recommend that you research your particular breed and how often they need to be brushed as it varies from breed to breed. Brushing your dog can remove excess fur and remove any knots that can start to feel painful if left untreated. By brushing your dog regularly (or by keeping their fur short depending on the breed).

There are different types of brushes to get, again depending on the breed of your pooch so do your research to make sure you’re using the correct brush!

3. Nail Clipping

This can be a tricky step as you can accidentally cut your dog’s nails too short and cause them to bleed! Dogs have a ‘quick’ in their nails and if cut too short, this is what causes bleeding to occur.
As a result, we recommend taking your dog to a professional groomer or vet if you’re not 100% confident about how short to cut them.

Keeping your dog’s nails short will prevent them from scratching you or any furniture, as well as making sure they’re walking correctly on their paws. Dogs with nails that are too long can end up walking incorrectly, causing health problems. They can also lead to an accident if one of them gets caught as the nail can be ripped. Therefore, it’s super important to maintain an appropriate nail length on your dog.

You’ll often find that some dog breeds need their nails cut more than others. It’s also not unusual to see some dogs that never need their nails trimmed as they naturally file down!

4. Ear Cleaning

A lot of dogs are prone to ear infections so it’s important to make sure that you keep them clean and wax-free. Ear infections can be really painful and irritating, by maintaining a regular cleaning routine, you’ll help hugely decrease the chance of your pooch getting an infection.

This Pretty Pooch Ear Cleaner is pH neutral and a gentle formula, making it suitable for all dogs! It helps to break down and remove the wax to prevent your dog from shaking their head, itching their ears and any general discomfort. It’s also cruelty-free so that you can buy with complete peace of mind!