Every pet is adorable, but those good looks don’t just happen without a little help from a loving pet parent. Keeping up with your fur baby’s basic grooming is a must to help them maintain a shiny coat, healthy skin, and overall well-being. 

Here are just some of my favorite pet grooming tips that will help you establish an at-home care routine. 

5 of the Best Pet Grooming Tips

1. Use Supplements for Skin and Coat Health

The overall vitality of your pet’s skin and coat begins on the inside, and supplements provide the extra nutrients their bodies need for a lustrous complexion. 

At Fera Pet Organics, we believe your fur babies deserve only the best, so we created holistic supplements that are so pure that we give them to our own pets. For healthy skin and coats, these are the pet supplements we recommend: 

• Vegan Omega-3, 6, 9s Algae Oil - This full spectrum Omega profile of 3s, 6s, and 9s, supports healthy vision and retinal development, a healthy immune system, heart, joints, and of course, skin and coat. It’s also the only plant-based oil with the highest concentrations of both EPA & DHA available today.
• Fish Oil - This do-it-all supplement is created from the fatty acids found in wild-caught sardines, anchovies, herring, and mackerel from Icelandic waters. These acids promote healthier skin and coats, decrease inflammation, improve brain function, and much more. 
• USDA Organic Probiotics with Prebiotics - This flavorless powder easily mixes into your pet’s food and will help create silky fur you won’t be able to resist during your cuddle sessions. The good bacteria also aid digestion, boost the immune system, and supply more energy.

2. Frequently Brush Their Fur

If your furry friend is…well, furry, they’ll need to be brushed often to prevent matting and keep their coat neat and clean. Plus, brushing helps distribute the natural oils responsible for that fabulous glossy look throughout their fur.

How often your dog or cat should be brushed depends on their breed and coat length. For most pets, a good brushing once or twice a week is sufficient, but for notorious shedders with long hair, you might want to consider brushing them every two to three days. This will keep all that loose fur out of their coats and off your floors! 

3. Keep Those Nails Trimmed

Trimming your pet’s nails is an important part of maintaining their health and hygiene. Not only does it improve their overall appearance, but it can prevent harm to themselves and others. 

For dogs, untrimmed nails can easily snag on carpets or leave claw marks on hardwood floors and furniture. They also naturally curve as they grow, and when they become too long, the force they receive from hitting the ground could lead to pain or irreversible damage, including arthritis. 

Be sure to clip your pup’s nails before they touch the ground, or as a good rule of thumb, every three to four weeks. 

If you’re a cat parent, the guidelines for nail trimming are different from those of a dog. A feline’s nails are essential to their well-being as they’re used for balance, climbing, play, and self-defense. However, overgrown cat nails can scratch and tear your furniture, or even worse, you. 

Most self-grooming cats trim their own claws by biting them down, but it’s still a good idea to check on their nails every two to three weeks and give them a good trim if you feel they need it. 

Many animals become distressed by nail trimming sessions, so if you plan to do it yourself, make sure you’ve established a method to keep them calm, tackle one nail at a time, and take it slow to avoid harming your pet or yourself. 

If you’re not sure what to do or your pet is petrified by the mere sight of nail clippers, it may be best to visit a local groomer and have the professionals take care of this task for you. 

4. Bathe Regularly or When Necessary

Your fur babies don’t need to bathe as often as you do, but it’s a responsibility you don’t want to neglect. 

When it comes to your canine companion, a bath is needed once every two to three months. If they struggle with skin conditions or become soiled and smelly, you’ll want to bathe them sooner rather than later. 

Use warm (not hot!) water and shampoo specifically formulated for dogs. Using your own shampoos and soaps could dry out their skin or upset their acid mantle. 

A cat’s hygienic needs are very different since they tend to bathe themselves, but those with skin problems or unable to properly clean themselves may require your assistance. Just fill a sink or tub with lukewarm water, gently scrub them down with a cat-formulated shampoo, and allow them to soak for a few minutes before rinsing. 

Most cats find water to be very unpleasant, and your feline friend may be one of them. If so, bath time might be easier for you both if you wet their fur with a warm washcloth instead. 

5. Brush Their Teeth Often

Oral care is one of the most important yet overlooked items on a pet parent’s grooming checklist. Only 15% of dogs and cats in the U.S. receive routine dental cleanings at home. 

I recommend that pet parents brush their companion’s teeth at least three times a week. You can pick up a pet toothbrush at your local pet store and choose from a variety of toothpaste flavors such as chicken and beef. 

NEVER use your own toothpaste to brush your pet’s teeth! Many human-formulated toothpastes contain high amounts of sodium and xylitol, which is toxic to animals. 

In addition to at-home cleanings, you should schedule routine deep cleanings with your veterinarian once a year. 

6. Maintain Your Pet’s Mental Health

This may seem like a strange addition to a list of pet grooming tips, but the state of your furry friend’s mental state can have a big impact on their skin and fur health. 

One of the most common symptoms of depression and anxiety in pets is overgrooming, which could lead to a notable amount of hair loss and painful hot spots. Luckily, there are many ways you can help your gloomy companion halt these habits and feel more like themselves. 

In addition to extra cuddles, try giving them more opportunities for exercise and socializing, putting them on a healthy diet, or offering a calming aid like a chewable or CBD drops.  

Unleash Your Pet’s Inner “Fera” With Supplements You Can Trust

Discover the secrets to your pet's optimal health with Dr. Michelle Dulake's proven methods! Unleash the full potential of their well-being and share in their vibrant life. Don't wait – improve your pet's vitality and longevity today with expert guidance from the trusted veterinarian!

Science comes first when creating our organic supplements because we put our pet’s health first. We’d love to have you become a part of the Fera family and upgrade your pet’s overall health and well-being with our natural and sustainable supplements for dogs and cats.