Tips to Keep Your Dog's Coat Shiny and Healthy Between Grooming Sessions
Anyone who’s had their dog professionally groomed knows that there is nothing better than a freshly pampered pooch. Not only do they look amazing, but their fur also feels fresh and soft, and they smell heavenly. We at Shampoochi know how much you love to have your dogs looking and feeling their best, so we’re going to share some dog coat care tips to help you keep that freshly groomed vibe between your pup’s spa days.
Importance of Keeping them Maintained
While the most obvious reason to keep your pet well maintained between appointments is so that you can enjoy that freshly groomed look and feel, there are actually a few more motivating reasons to take good care of their coat between appointments.
The first reason being, that a well-kept coat allows the skin to breath and air to flow through the hair. This is especially important for double coated breeds like Huskies, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, who’s coat acts as insulation against the heat and cold by trapping a layer of air next to the skin. When airflow is restricted because of excess hair, not only is it unable to insulate properly, but the coat also looks dull and clumpy.
Another important reason is mat prevention. Dogs who require haircuts are especially prone to matting, and the longer you like to keep their hair, the faster mats are formed. And if your dog likes to get messy between grooms, dirty hair mats much faster than clean hair.
Brushing Basics
The best way to keep your dogs coat looking fresh after a grooming is with regular brushing. Not only does brushing help keep the coat tangle free, but it also helps get rid of some dirt and debris as well and helps distribute natural oils for a nice shiny dog coat look. It may sound simple enough to just run a brush through your dog’s coat, but how you brush is also very important.
The best way to brush your dog is with a technique called line brushing. This method ensures that every bit of the dog’s coat has been brushed thoroughly and is the best way to remove tangles and any dead undercoat. To start, simply choose a place to part your dog’s hair, keeping your hand holding the hair above the part line. Use your slicker brush to gently brush the hair below the line, and when you are done, release some more hair from above the line and repeat. When you’ve finished brushing all over, using a comb and this same method will ensure that no areas were missed and that the coat is completely tangle free.
Just how often should you be brushing? That depends on your dog’s coat. For most dogs, brushing once or twice a week should be plenty. However, if you keep your dog in a longer haircut, or if they are a heavy shedding breed you may need to do it every few days to stay on top of the tangles.
Choosing the Right Products
There are a few products you can keep on hand to make it easier to keep your dog fresh. The first, and most obvious product being a high-quality shampoo. Choosing a shampoo with natural ingredients will help keep your pup super clean without irritating their skin. Furthermore, having a conditioner to go along with it will help nourish the skin and coat, make it easier to brush through, and enables the coat to repel dirt.
After the bath you’ll want to give your dog’s coat a good brush to get rid of any tangles caused in the process. Giving a light mist with a conditioning spray will help your brush slide through like butter and get an extra bit of moisture into your dog’s coat to keep it hydrated and healthy.
It’s important to use a conditioning spray when you brush your dog between baths as well. Brushing a completely dry coat can cause damage to the hair and cause it to look dull and mat more easily.
Keep Your Pup in Good Health
There’s one last tip we have for ensuring your dog’s has luscious locks, and it actually isn’t grooming related at all! One of the biggest factors affecting skin and coat condition is your pup’s overall health. Feeding your pet a high quality, balanced diet is the best thing you can do to keep them healthy and thriving inside and out.
If you’re already feeding a premium food and feel like your pup’s coat could still use a little extra shine, adding an omega 3 supplement like salmon oil can work wonders.
You might be reading all this pet grooming advice and thinking to yourself, this seems like a lot of work! Well, you’re right! Maintaining your pet can be a daunting task if you have a busy lifestyle, especially if your pup has a long or especially thick coat. Not everyone has the time or energy to stay on top of at-home grooming maintenance, and that’s were we come in! If you’re struggling to keep your dog’s coat looking shiny and smelling great between their regular grooming appointments, give us a call today (772) 207-7858 or visit us at our new location at 2846 SW Port Saint Lucie Blvd. Port St Lucie, FL, 3495 and we would be happy to pamper your pup with a bath and tidy to keep them looking and feeling their best!
