Pet grooming guide

There are a wide variety of tools available for use when pet grooming your dog, all of which can be bought from local pet stores. The most useful are a curry comb for overall brushing and removal of loose dead hair and skin, a shedding blade to remove coat shed and a de-matting comb to help remove tangles.

Curry comb
Curry combs stimulate your dog’s skin to produce natural oils, which help to keep the fur clean and healthy. Frequent use of a curry comb during pet grooming will ensure a shiny, glossy coat and will also keep the skin clean and healthy too. As well as stimulating the skin, the comb will encourage blood flow and remove flakes of dead skin. If your dog has long hair then the comb can be used to remove tangles and matts, which can be uncomfortable and unhealthy.
The gentlest curry brush is made from rubber or a rubberised material. The rubber is bendable, allowing the comb to flex with the animal’s body.

Shedding blade
A shedding blade is a looped piece of metal with the ends held together by a handle. One side of the blade has small, rounded teeth which catch hold of and remove coat shed and help to minimise the occurrence of matting. Many pet grooming experts recommend getting a shedding blade since it is especially good for keeping dogs with short coats from shedding all over your house. Shedding blades are primarily used in the pet grooming of shorter haired dogs as they are less effective on long haired coats. Always use a light touch when using the blade as it is possible to cause harm to the coat or skin if you press too hard.The first few times you use a shedding blade on your pet, keep a good watch on the dog’s skin. If they seem to show signs of irritation or begin to scratch, you may need a softer brush or a gentler technique with the blade.

De-matting comb
Even regularly brushed dogs develop matts and it’s very important to remove them before they become out of control. There are many styles of de-matting comb or rake and the one you choose will depend entirely on the type of coat that your dog has so, for example, a dog with a thick, curly coat will need a much wider toothed comb than a dog with a long, fine coat. The best method of removing the matts while pet grooming is to put your fingers between the dog’s skin and the matt and to then ease the de-matting comb gently through.