At Home Grooming Tips for Fur Parents

Summer for dog parents is all about getting out in the sun with their doggo. However, all of that trekking, swimming and playing might leave your dog muddy and dishevelled at the end of the day.

Below are our top natural tips for keeping your pup perfectly groomed no matter how busy your schedule is.

Give your dog natural treats to chew on.

There are many benefits to giving your dog natural treats. One of them is that it can help keep their teeth clean. When selecting treats, look for ones with natural ingredients, such as carrots or sweet potatoes. You can even make your own at home with items you might already have in your kitchen!

Here are some examples of simple recipes for homemade dog treats:

• Apple slices (peeled) baked in the oven until soft.

• Roasted sweet potato chunks or carrot slices.

• Peanut butter and banana slices.

Brush your dog regularly.

Brushing your dog regularly is a great way to keep his coat looking healthy and shiny. It's also an excellent way to check for fleas or ticks and make sure there are no tangles in his fur.

You should choose a natural bristle brush with soft bristles that aren't too stiff. Avoid brushes with metal tips or pins, which can damage the skin on your dog's face and paws. Then, brush your dog for at least five minutes every day, twice if possible (once in the morning and before bedtime). 

Start by brushing his head first, then work your way down from there using gentle strokes from the top of his neck toward his tail—never brushing against the grain, though! This will help remove loose hairs and reduce shedding by stimulating blood circulation through each fur follicle. By doing so, his coat stays on longer than usual without falling out prematurely.

If you're worried about this happening too often when brushing daily (and always), try doing so weekly instead, so he gets used to it gradually rather than all at once--after all!

Use shampoo and conditioner made with natural ingredients.

If you want to go all-natural, make sure your shampoo and conditioner are made with natural ingredients. Avoid products with sulfates and parabens, as these certain chemicals can dry out your pooch's skin.

Coconut oil is an excellent ingredient in dog shampoo because it moisturizes the skin without clogging pores. Look for products that include lavender or eucalyptus oil for their antibacterial properties. If you have a pup with sensitive skin, consider using hypoallergenic shampoos like oatmeal or aloe vera—they're safe on dogs of all ages!

Ensure the pH level of any shampoo you use doesn't irritate your dog's paws; this number should be 5.5-7 (ideally closer to 7).

Trim your dog's nails with a Dremel.

Clipping your dog's nails can be a scary prospect, but it's essential to keep them trimmed. A Dremel is a safer way to do this than with clippers, and it's easier than you think.

Here's how:

• For at least 30 minutes, get your dog comfortable on his back or side in a quiet place where he won't be disturbed. You should also have some tasty treats handy to reward him when he does well!

• Hold onto his paw gently but firmly, making sure that the pad of his foot is exposed by pulling up on his toes (this may make him uncomfortable if done too roughly). If he tries to move away from you, try again later when he's calmer—or practice another day when your dog isn't feeling defensive about trimming his nails!

• Once you've got a good grip on one paw (or both! ), slowly turn on your Dremel tool and start grinding down each nail until all four paws are done with one battery charge—you'll want to do this outside. Hence, so as not to interfere with any potential airborne dust particles which could irritate sensitive nasal passages like ours would if they found their way inside our homes while working out during this process, please remember safety first!

Check your dog’s ears.

Clean your dog's ears with an all-natural ear wash made with witch hazel, lavender, and tea tree oil. The best way to clean a dog's ears is with an all-natural ear wash. You can make one at home or purchase a store-bought solution.

Warm water: warm water will increase blood flow to the area, which helps prevent infection and cleans out wax better than cold water.

Cotton ball:

1. Use a clean cotton ball to wipe away any dirt or debris from your dog's ear canal.

2. Be careful not to poke too far into the ear canal with the cotton swab as you may cause injury or damage sensitive tissue (such as removing an essential inner flap that covers it).

3. If your dog has long hair on his face and back like some breeds, use scissors instead of clippers as they can cause injury or damage sensitive tissue (such as removing an essential inner flap that covers it).

If your dog has long hair on his face and back, as some breeds do, then use scissors instead of cotton swabs since these will snag on those hairs more often than not when using them for this purpose.

Groom your dog outdoors when possible.

Groom your dog outdoors when possible, allowing you to brush away any loose fur. If you are grooming your dog indoors, use a mat or shower curtain liner to catch the hair before it can fly around everywhere. Please do not use a blow dryer on your dog's coat; it could burn their skin and cause heat damage. Instead, use a grooming glove to help remove dead hair and other debris from their coat.

Natural grooming products can be found in your kitchen and pantry.

Here are some of the most common items found in your kitchen and pantry that can be used to keep your dog clean:

• Baking soda and warm water to remove dirt and stains.

• Olive oil for an all-natural shampoo. You can add essential oils for a pleasant scent, too.

• Honey, which you already use on toast (and in tea), is also a natural conditioner—make sure it's raw honey, not processed or heated honey!

The good news is that many more natural grooming products are available now than ever before. These include shampoos made with all-natural ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera gel, or jojoba oil; organic flea treatments; homemade dog treats made from peanut butter or pumpkin puree; and environmentally friendly grooming tools like bamboo combs instead of plastic ones!

Conclusion

With a little bit of knowledge, you can keep your dog clean, healthy, and happy while using affordable, environmentally friendly products.

Grooming your dog can also be a bonding experience for you and your pup; the fact that grooming simply makes your dog feel good about him or herself means that it can be something that you look forward to doing with your dog. The tips above should help you make grooming a fun activity for you and show you how to care for your pampered pet (a.k.a., your best friend) at home. And remember, if you have any other questions or concerns related to pet grooming, don't be afraid to ask.

Want to bring out the most paw-werful look on your dog’s hair and skin? Check out our all-natural and healthy functional snacks here.