Why Is Pet Grooming Important?

Why is pet grooming important?

Giving your pet a good is not only good for its health but yours too, even if your pet doesn't enjoy it.

My two spaniels couldn’t be more dissimilar, Winston loves to look smart, he enjoys a good bath, being clipped, and shows off when you tell him how cute he looks. Eddie, on the other hand, flies under the kitchen table when he see the brush coming towards him, and if he needs his nails clipped the whole street knows he’s in pain, even if he isn’t.

Grooming is an important part of pet ownership and it’s necessary to stop the build-up of dead hair which can be itchy and make a very big mess on the floor. It’s also important to check for lice, fleas, and ticks; you might have protected your pet with flea treatment but is not always 100% effective. If your pet does become infected then your house will do too. Your carpets and bed may become a breeding ground for fleas and dust mites which may give cause allergies or give you a nasty bite. Grooming also stimulates blood flow which makes for a healthier coat and it smells much better too.

On a very serious note, grooming your animal can bring to your attention any ‘abnormalities’ such as lumps which may appear. Early diagnosis of tumours is as important in animals as it is in humans, and on the bright side it may turn out to be nothing at all. Its not just lumps, sometimes pets can get stuck by a thorn or cut themselves. If they’re like Eddie you’ll never know unless you groom them because he’d rather be in pain than go to the vet.

No one likes smelly breath, and however much you love your pet his or her teeth need attention too. It’s easier with big animals, unless they’ve got sharp teeth, but even cats and rabbits can have dental issues so it’s important to check their teeth and gums often for signs of disease and problems with damaged teeth.

Ears are important too. Animals than run around outside, or go through high grass, can get seed and dirt trapped inside. They might be able to lick the rest of their bodies, but there’s no way they can clean their ears, so it’s up to you to do it. Especially vulnerable are animals with ‘floppy’ ears. If a grass seed gets inside, rabbits and dogs can easily get infected.

What Winston knows and what Eddie is yet to realise is that grooming is essential as a bonding session between pet and owner. They relax and enjoy the attention. It's also relaxing for you, your pets become happier at being handled which is easier for you when you must take them to the vet because they now trust you.

For more information on pet grooming, visit Pet Grooming Courses