Dog Grooming SuppliesIf you have a dog then dog grooming supplies are absolutely essential items to have in your home. Although you could pay to take your dog to the veterinarian or to a pet grooming store every time they need their nails trimmed, a haircut, or their teeth cleaned, sometimes this just isn’t financially practical. Many dog grooming and maintenance issues are easy to take care of, but need to be done on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, so having dog grooming supplies handy will be helpful for completing the tasks at hand. Essential dog grooming supplies include dog brushes and combs, nail trimmers, dog shampoo, and may include dog hair trimmers if you have a long-haired dog. Dog Shampoo: Just as
there are several different breeds of dog, many will need different types of dog
shampoo to suit their needs. The most common dog shampoos include flea shampoo,
dandruff shampoo, allergy shampoo, scented shampoo and oatmeal
shampoo.
Many dog owners will use scented shampoo to remove the smell of their dog rolling in something stinky. Oatmeal shampoo is meant to help eliminate itching due to a dry coat. Keep in mind that many of these shampoos are also combined and can be found at any major pet store, although allergy shampoos are best purchased directly from the veterinarian. Dog Towels: Although you can always use a towel from your own linen selection, since dogs are usually a lot dirtier and messier, it is best to purchase separate dog towels and leave them in a designated area. These towels are shaped long and thin to fit around the undercarriage of the dog. Most are also made extra absorbent to help dry dogs more quickly. This will prevent them getting a chill or having them jump on the couch wet. Dog Brushes: Having good dog brushes are essential in your dog grooming supplies arsenal. The two
major types of dog brushes include the oval pin brush, a round brush with metal
pins, and the slicker brush, which is rectangular and has smaller pins on a soft
cushion. The oval pin is available in different sizes that are meant for
different length coats. A smaller brush will work fine for a short haired or
small breed dog, but a large oval pin will be needed for a long haired
dog.
Dog Combs: Combs are great for getting out tangles on long dog hair but can also be used for dog hair cutting. If you have a long-haired dog that often gets mats in his hair, this is an essential tool. You might want to consider a comb that looks like a rack for long-haired dogs, as these will remove the undercoat best during shedding seasons. Other than the rack, most dog combs are metal but otherwise resemble a human comb. Dog Nail Trimmers: There are two basic types of dog nail trimmers. The first kind are most often used by veterinary technicians and resemble a pruning shear. The blade is angled to the side, but this requires cutting down on the dog nail. Most veterinarians only suggest using this type if you have a calm dog and are experienced with the blade.
Dog Hair Clippers: Most
dog hair clippers and trimmers are similar to what you would find at a man’s
barber shop. They usually come in a set that gives the owner a selection of what
length of clipper should be placed depending on how long or how short a dog’s
hair will be cut. It is best to buy a
set, instead of an individual trimmer, this way you can be set if you purchase another
long-haired dog in the future. You will already have a set of clippers in your
dog grooming supplies and will not need to purchase additional sized clippers.
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