Mom and I have been working in the industry for a good while now and in that time, we’ve experimented with a myriad of tools, shampoos, and techniques to bring about the best possible grooms. We’ve been asked a good number of times for recommendations on tools and techniques for the owner(s) to use to keep their fur baby’s fur in top condition, so I’ve compiled a list for you of the best products from shampoos to brushes and combs.
Some important things to know:
Mats: Sometimes the fur can become so knotted up that it creates its own carpet close to the skin. You can feel this most prominently behind the ears, on the belly, or on the legs. Some dogs come in so completely matted that the only option is to completely shave the fur off for a fresh start. If the matting is severe enough, the skin beneath will be bruised and can sometimes result in unnecessary injuries. The necessary steps, all the brushing and tugging and re-brushing, are just too painful and cruel to put the fur baby through and will create more trauma than it is worth. Small mats behind the ears can be easily shaved out, but only occasionally can they be brushed out.
Fur Type: Each breed/mix has a different coat texture, which is either easy, moderate, or difficult to work with. For instance, some textures will be easier to work knots out of (like wire terrier hair) while others, like a puppy’s cotton coat, are rather difficult.
Brushing Products
Of all of the brushes out there, this brand is at the top and it isn’t even expensive to get. It comes in two sizes - large or small. It works wonders on slightly more knotted fur and as long as you are holding the fur above the knots, it won’t pull on your fur baby’s skin. Having your hand as a shield is instrumental in preventing brush burns and scratches. Then, use it normally after the knots are clear for a finished look. Depending on your dog’s breed and hair length, you may need to make this a daily routine.
This is your finishing comb that double checks the work done with the Miracle Coat slicker brush. Use this lightly through the fur and as soon as you feel it tug, pick up the slicker brush to work on the newly discovered knot. Then rinse and repeat, as they say, until it runs smoothly. Pay special attention to hot spots like the belly, hindquarters, armpits, and behind the ears. Like the Miracle Coat Brush, you need to use it daily. It also comes in various sizes, so be sure to double check that you pick the size you need. You want the 7 1⁄2 inch long one for small to medium dogs and the 10 inch for larger ones. We bought an itsy bitsy tiny one that cost a lot more than it should have by accident, but it has come in handy with smaller faces.
Deshedding tools – Rake, Deshedder, or Furminator
There are a surprising number of breeds that shed, even the ones that shouldn’t nowadays, depending on breed mixes and so on. The Furminator brand is listed as one of the best you can get, but the only difference I’ve really noticed is the little button you can press that pushes the fur off the brush. This brand is particularly useful in the shop because it can be hooked up to a vacuum for a clean de-shedding. I have been using a no name brand equivalent of the Furminator for many years, one that I purchased from the grocery store, if you can believe it, and it has yet to falter. SleekEZ is an eco-friendlier option and comes in 2.5-inch, 5 inch, and 10-inch sizes. I personally love it and think it does a great job. It also won’t break the bank like a Furminator.
There is yet another word of caution here, with any deshedding tool, too much brushing in one spot can lead to brush burn and skin irritation. The best method, on a husky or other double-coated dog, is to start at the lowest part of the body and, going straight up, use one hand to hold the upper hairs out of the way while the other hand brushes down, pulling that double coat out as you move up. It will take many rounds and lots of patience. For double coated breeds, it would be a time saver to blow them out first with a high-powered blower and it will be worse than a snow globe, but it does cut down on brushing time and drying time if you want to bathe them. Blow them first, then bathe, then dry. Or skip bathing all together, which is better for their skin and coat. Brushing will spread the natural oils that protect the skin and the fur, which will leave them shiny.
Shampoos and drying elements
I’ll have another article for you about all the different shampoos you can use at home. But for the sake of this article, I recommend a general, overall, good-clean, basic and eco-friendly shampoo, like Burt's Bees. I don’t recommend bathing your fur baby too often, because the process cleans away their natural oils and dries out their skin. Just like humans – regular baths and shampooing is bad for your skin and hair as well. But, if your pup gets into mud or takes a swim in the lake, by all means, bathe away. We use this all the time and it’s completely safe but be careful not to get it into their eyes or ears. Just like human products, even tearless shampoos can sting a little. If you do, do a quick rinse to get it out of their eyes. If it gets in their ears, gently get it out, then be sure to dry them out really well after.
Bark 2 Basics In Between Wash Waterless Shampoo, because it foams up like shampoo, it really gets into the fur, and it smells great. This is also hypoallergenic and eco-friendly (all of our products are). I recommend using this in place of an actual bath between appointments. It brushes in well and dries as it’s brushed – so it’s a two for one really. By the time they are dry, you don’t need to brush them again.
All 4 Pawz LLC, doesn’t cage-dry to maintain our promise of a cage-free environment. We use stand dryers to get your fur baby nice and dry and their hair perfectly puffed. I found a dryer similar to one we use, but not as expensive, if you're interested. If you do need to bathe at home, a hair dryer is the next best thing. I do have to emphasize the importance of using only cool air to dry them, as the heat setting can actually burn their fur and skin. This is actually a good tool to get new pups used to the process of grooming, but only at a slow speed and far enough away to be a gentle breeze rather than a terrifying hurricane. Work up to getting closer but keep the speed low to avoid scaring them.
All About the Teeth
I recommend PetSmile Professional Pet Toothpaste, a veterinarian recommended product. This is one of the best out there, because it continues to do its work even after you brush their teeth. You just put a little on their teeth with a toothbrush or finger and their licking the product around afterwards continues the brushing process for you. It is one of the more expensive toothpastes, but it is pure magic.
Another vet recommended product by Tartar Shield. This is a great alternative to keeping their teeth clean if their mouth is too small for a toothbrush or brushing is too much of a stressor. It’s a powder that dissolves in their drinking water, instructions are on the bottle. I use this product for my girls, and it works really well.
Other Odds and Ends
The best method I know is to regularly clean their eye goop with a wet rag and a small flea comb. The goop is easiest to get after it is soaked or while it is still fresh. We use this product sometimes to work on the staining that remains, but it isn’t as effective on dogs as it is on cats. Don’t get this in their eyes. The goop can accumulate to a degree that it is attached to the skin, and it is hard to remove without shaving the area. I recommend consulting the vet about possible allergies and what changes at home can be made. Some dog food brands have food dye included in their long list of ingredients, which contributes to the staining around the eyes.
Pet MD - Aloe Vera and Eucalyptus Wipes contain soothing aloe vera and eucalyptus, along with salicylic acid to clean and disinfect the ear. Eucalyptus is toxic to dogs and cats, but the quantity isn’t enough to cause harm. The vet recommends that this product only be used on dogs 12 weeks or older and there cannot be an open wound, blood, or a ruptured eardrum when using this product. Many pet parents have used this, and it has kept ear infections at bay, while also keeping the ears clean.
Alternatively, Pet MD also has cucumber melon wipes that are non-irritant. They still contain aloe vera, but with the added benefit of vitamin E (tocopherol). These wipes are recommended for those pups with sensitive skin and allergies. Pet MD is also made in America.
Sometimes all your fur baby needs is a refreshing spritz. We use calming lavender or grapefruit and have a masculine cologne for the boys. Cover their eyes and spray all over with two or three spritzes. All of these are hypoallergenic and eco-friendly.
A Note about Shears and Clippers
I don’t recommend cutting your fur baby’s hair on your own. If you just want to spot trim some wild hairs, that’s fine, but there are a lot of pitfalls with doing more than that. They are wiggly and grooming shears and clipper blades are very sharp. It takes proper training, a lot of patience, and a grooming table to get the job done as safely and skillfully as possible.
I hope this list and the recommendations provided prove helpful to you! Let me know in the comments or with a personal message if you have more questions or would like to know about other products. We are also just a phone call away, 505-400-3522. See you at your fur baby’s next appointment!
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