How to groom cats and dogs at home

Finish up with the legs, head and tail – these are the trickiest bits. It helps to have someone holding your dog while you do this, so they can’t wriggle around and their tail isn’t moving. The other thing to remember is to trim any long or matted hairs on their paw pads. A handy hint for areas like heads and paws: scissors will be easier to control than clippers in these sensitive places.

All done? Time to give that dog a treat for all their patience (or give them some as you go along if you want them to be distracted by something other than the snipping).

Just like us, dogs can get dirt or wax in their ears, so the easily reachable parts of their ears need to be cleaned regularly. Once a month is usually plenty, unless your dog has particularly dirty ears or swims a lot, in which case fortnightly is better. Dogs who swim a lot are more at risk of ear infections from the water.

To clean their ears, gently wipe the outer parts of the ears (also known as flaps) with a clean, damp cloth or cotton ball. Don’t go down into the ear canal as this can cause damage – best not to use a cotton bud so you don’t forget. Just stick to the bits that are revealed to the outside world.

If you spot any dirt further down the ear, or the ear seems to be causing your pet discomfort, visit your vet.

Dental chews can go some way to keeping canine teeth clean, but it’s still important to brush them regularly to prevent plaque and tartar building up. Getting a puppy used to toothbrushing is easier than starting them later in life – start brushing a few times a week, using a dog toothbrush and a toothpaste formulated for puppies.

With older dogs, start by encouraging them to open their mouth and gently put your fingers inside if you’re confident to do so. Then use a dog toothbrush and some dog toothpaste and let them get used to the sensation and the taste in a short session, gradually building up their exposure to these items over time. Once they’re okay with it, start cleaning their teeth around twice a week. Remember, human toothpaste isn’t suitable for dogs.

It’s easy to clean our pup’s paws with a damp cloth, gently working between the pads to get the dirt out. Dogs often don’t need their claws cut at home – the friction of walking on pavements and roads wears them down naturally. But if they mostly bound about on grass or sand, nails sometimes need a trim.

If a dog’s nails grow too long, they can snap or curve inwards – ouch! When trimming nails, look for the nail quick and cut not quite up to it and never into it – this bit bleeds. Dogs with white nails have a pink quick, whereas dogs with dark nails have a black quick. If it does bleed, apply pressure with a damp piece of cotton wool until the bleeding stops.

We should be bathing our dogs every month – more if they shed a lot, as this helps get rid of the old hair. Don’t overdo the bathing or dogs can end up with dry skin – once a week is the most they should be bathed. Use a special shampoo or wash formulated for puppies or adult dogs, depending on the age of your canine companion. Sponge them off or shower them down with warm water and give them a good rub with a nice clean towel afterwards.

Our lovely cats mostly take care of themselves and are often fastidious about grooming. They have rough tongues which help remove loose hair and dirt, so there’s often not too much for us to do. However, long-haired breeds or older pets sometimes need a bit of extra help. And sometimes a cat of any age or type just enjoys being pampered – it can make a great bonding experience for the pair of you. Whatever the reason for grooming a cat, do it in short bursts, using a soft brush in the direction of their fur.

It’s important to keep an eye on their overall health, checking for fleas, ticks, ear mites, skin irritation or lumps regularly. Brushing and handling them in this way will also help them feel less stressed when they go to the vets because they’re used to having their ears looked into, their legs touched and so on.

Cats commonly have dental problems such as plaque, tartar and gum disease. This is sometimes noticeable by bad breath or difficulty eating (particularly dry food). Plaque accumulation is particularly nasty because it can cause heart and lung issues. Dental treats can help with this, but cleaning their teeth is better.

The idea of cleaning our cats’ teeth can seem strange, but it is possible. Approach their mouth slowly when they’re feeling calm. Start by massaging their gums with a finger or damp cotton wool, just for a short while. Then when they’re used to this, graduate to a cat toothbrush and cat toothpaste (never use human brushes or paste).

With any pet, groom them when they’re relaxed and happy – never force it on them. Done right, grooming is a lovely way for us to build a bond and spend some quality time together. Happy grooming!