An owner who is attentive to his puppy's needs ensures an optimal environment in which to grow, guarantees him the most suitable food to satisfy his nutritional needs, supports his character, educates him and dedicates the time he needs.
However, one element that is often underestimated when talking about animal care is its hygiene. Dog grooming is a practice that consists of hair care and washing of the animal, which is very important for its well-being and that of its owners.
Why is grooming important for dogs and cats?
In this regard, we interviewed Simone Morelli, a professional groomer and owner of Spettinati . During our chat, he confirmed that it is a common tendency to think that your dog should be washed only in the warm periods, the time of year when our four-legged friends have more opportunities to go outside and get dirty. And even, to think that if they are cats, washing is not so necessary because in the common imagination they seem to be autonomous animals in cleaning.
On this subject, we have been told many times that dog and cat grooming is always important: no matter how much an animal can wash itself independently, it will never meet the standards of cleanliness typical of humans. This may seem like a trivial concept, but if you consider that a pet lives in close contact with humans, it is a very important factor to take into consideration.
You and your pet share most of the spaces in your home . They curl up on the sofa; they climb onto beds, pillows and sleep on blankets. Dirt and parasites can easily settle on their fur or paws, becoming the perfect means of transport to get into your home. Taking care of the hygiene and cleanliness of your pet and its daily accessories such as kennels, pillows, bowls and toys is therefore essential.
How to do puppy grooming?
Pet grooming should be experienced by your puppy as an operation that occurs regularly in his life. However, it is important to take into account the fact that no puppy easily accepts grooming, in fact it would be better to rely on a professional already at an early stage. But if for any reason this is not possible, we asked our trusted groomer Simone for some advice to make the operation easier for owners.
It must be perceived gradually by the puppy
Bathing a puppy is an activity that requires delicacy and patience . In fact, it is strongly advised against placing the jet of water directly on the animal's fur or muzzle because this could scare it, but it would be preferable to cushion the jet with your hand or use a jug to wet it gradually. During this operation it is best to avoid direct contact with the most sensitive areas (nose, ears and private parts).
Choose a warm season to facilitate drying
After washing, it is essential to dry the dog's fur well with a hair dryer and towels, always paying attention to sensitive areas, in particular it is necessary to dry the ears very well to avoid the onset of ear infections. It is better to dry the puppy completely after washing, but in case of intolerance, choosing to wash it in a warm season allows it to dry more easily even without using a hair dryer.
Dog Grooming: How to Do It and Which Products to Use
Not sure where to start ? Thanks to Simone Morelli 's advice, we have collected three simple steps to follow to obtain a professional grooming comfortably at home using the products for the care and hygiene of your pet from the new Barbershop line by Croci . Formulated with cutting-edge techniques, selecting natural ingredients, avoiding the use of parabens or artificial colorants, it is suitable for the sensitive skin of dogs and cats, puppies and adults.
Step 1: Brush
Brushing your dog regularly is essential, this operation helps you remove the coarsest dirt and prevent the formation of knots and tangles in the hair.
If the animal has short hair, it is sufficient to brush it once a week and you can use, for example, the double brush to polish or the double comb to gently untangle your pet's fur. If the animal has very long and thick hair and if it has an undercoat then daily brushing will be necessary using specific tools such as a carder or rake comb, perfect tools for removing excess hair.
Step 2: Washing
Dog washing must be done regularly .
If the animal has short hair , spends a lot of time in close contact with us and our environment, it will be necessary to carry out a complete wash every three weeks maximum a month , because dirt will easily settle on the skin and also on household objects.
If the animal has long hair and spends most of its days outside, so there is limited contact, then it will not be necessary to wash it too frequently as the dirt will not easily reach the skin, in this case even three/four times a year could be sufficient.
To wash your puppy thoroughly you can use some specific products. The Barbershop hygiene line by Croci includes shampoos and conditioners specifically designed for the different types of existing coats.
- Use the Soft Elixir range: if your pet has hair that knots easily, or is very curly and tangled, such as that of Maltese and poodles.
- Use the range Shiny Groove : If your pet has greasy fur or shows dandruff This is clearly the case for example of dachshunds, German shepherds or Persian cats
- Pure Detox products are suitable for all hair types and purify the skin
- Use Cosmicfresh dry shampoo if you want to quickly sanitize the coat
When grooming your dog or cat, remember to pay attention to the animal's ears and eyes to avoid ear infections or other pathologies.
Step 3: Drying
In any case, it is important that this operation is done regularly and that the puppy sees it as a moment of play; if it seems to us that the animal is not in the right mood to face such a stressful event, it is better to avoid it and postpone it to a better moment .
To remove excess water, it is best to start with towels and rags, when all the water has been removed we can use the hair dryer until completely dry . If the dog is shedding and has a lot of dead hair to remove, you can use the nozzle to direct the air from the hair dryer and remove it completely.
