Warmer weather means your pet's fur can start shedding like crazy to compensate for the rising temperatures. To help cope with the sudden influx of stray pet fur, it's important to have the right supplies in your cat or dog grooming kit. What should be in your grooming kit?


 Your Pet Grooming Kit



"Skin and fur is the largest organ in the body. It is an external reflection of your pet's internal health," explains Dr. Carol Osborne, an integrative veterinarian at Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.


She explains that pet grooming not only helps manage shedding, but also helps pet parents monitor the health of their pet's skin and coat.

With pet grooming, you get an up close and personal look at your pet's skin and hair. You can help untie knots in the coats of mats and knots while at the same time checking for lumps, bumps, scratches and even fleas and ticks. If you notice a problem, you should seek veterinary care.


Here's what you need to know about pet care and preparing your cat or dog grooming kit for the spring months.



Learn About Your Pet's Unique Care Needs


When it comes to grooming pets, the best place to start is with education. "My favorite tool would be pet owner education," says Dr. Osborne. "How often a pet needs to be bathed and groomed depends on the breed [and] coat length and the dog's lifestyle." For example, Pekingese and Collies should be brushed every day.

If you're unsure about your pet's grooming needs, ask your vet or groomer. Dr. Osborne suggests watching a grooming video made by a professional, reading a book about pet care, or taking a class from a professional.



Dog Grooming Basics





"[Often] pets go through the winter without grooming because of the cold. They often have extra hair." When spring arrives, a pet owner's first task is to remove the excess undercoat and groom them.


Here are the pet grooming supplies you need in your dog grooming kit for spring.


Dog Brush

Deciding which dog brush is right for your pet depends on the length of their coat.

You can use an all-purpose brush, a rubber dog brush on a short-haired dog to remove your pet's undercoat. You can also use Oster Equine care fine curry horse combs on larger dogs such as Labrador Retrievers. The rubber will remove undercoat without scratching the skin of a short-haired animal.

Brushes with metal needles, such as the Safari wire needle brush for dogs and finer brushes, such as the Safari soft soft brush for dogs or the Furminator soft brush for dogs, can be used on dogs with longer hair.


To start detangling, you will want to pick up a small section of your dog's coat and comb it in the direction of the fur. Gently pull a section of the hair, separate it and brush over your hand towards the ends of the hair. Be careful not to brush as you can irritate the skin.


You should brush your dog once a week, but these times may vary depending on the length or type of your pet's coat. So talk to your groomer or vet to decide on the best pet grooming routine for your dog.

"If you're having difficulty removing the hair, this is a good indication that you should seek some professional help".

Dog Shampoo

Don't use your own shampoo when bathing your pet - products made for humans can irritate your pet's skin.


"Dogs and humans have different skin pH [levels]," explains Dr. Osborne. "It's important to use the appropriate products for bathing your pet." Dr. Osborne explains that using human shampoo is a big mistake some pet parents make.

When it comes to choosing the right dog shampoo for your puppy, Dr. Osborne advises against using shampoo to treat disease (unless a vet tells you to), as it can cause more harm than good.

He recommends spending more money for a high-quality dog shampoo with less detergents and no sulfates.


Pet-specific products, such as aloe vera unscented dog and cat shampoo, are safe options to include in your pet care kit.

Most dogs should be bathed at least every 30 days. This is in proportion to how long it takes for a new layer of skin cells to regenerate.

You should shampoo your dog twice during each grooming session. The first time you shampoo your dog, you will have removed most of the dirt. The second time, you will be cleaning the dog's fur.

Dog Nail Clippers

It is important to cut your dog's nails in the spring.


"In the spring, the dog's nails may appear longer because the ground has been softened by the winter rains and the nails are not as frayed as before".

You may prefer to use a dog nail file instead of dog nail clippers, as it is easier not to cut the nails too short. You should hold the nail file steady and don't let it splatter.


It's a good idea to have someone help you hold the dog so you can focus on the nails. Be careful not to lift the leg too high or to the side, as this can be uncomfortable for the dog.


If you use nail clippers, make sure the blade is made of high quality stainless steel that will not lose its sharpness. When the dog is standing, the nails should be trimmed at ground level. You need to cut about a quarter inch away from the "sharp" part of the nail, or the base.


Cat Grooming Basics

For the most part, cats tend to keep themselves quite clean. But you can and should groom your cat if it needs it. After a long, cold winter, the spring coat can be longer. Grooming a cat helps to remove excess fur.


Cat Brushes

When trying to untangle your cat's fur, it is almost always better to use a wide-toothed comb, such as a steel pet comb or a premium steel pet comb.


To avoid scratching, you should opt for a rubber brush instead of a metal brush.

When it comes to combing your cat's hair, it's best to avoid depilatory tools because it's very easy to scrape your pet's skin. You'll also want to avoid cutting into tangles or knots (brush gently instead), as cats have sensitive skin and it's easy to accidentally cut them. Combing with a rubber brush, such as an all-purpose brush, is easy on your cat's fur and skin.

Cat Shampoo

Yes, you can bathe cats. But cats are not bathed as often as dogs. However, depending on how much of a mess your cat likes to make, bathing can be done "as needed".

First, start with a safe cat shampoo. This is important as cat skin is more "absorbent" than dog skin, making them susceptible to chemical toxins.

Always use a cat shampoo that is specifically labeled for cats, not dogs or humans. You'll spend more money on a cat shampoo with less detergent that promises sulfate-free and easy rinsing.


Although washing a long-haired cat frequently can help with shedding, cats are rarely bathed.


First dilute the cat shampoo with water and put the mixture in a jug. Place the cat in a kitchen sink or bathtub. Hold the cats shoulders and pour the soapy water on the shoulders, not the face. Then rinse your cat with clean water.

Cat Nail Clippers

It is also a good idea to trim your cat's nails. There is almost no natural way to shorten the nails of older indoor cats who don't dare to go outside. Outdoor cats climb trees and scratch hard surfaces to help keep nails short. You can get a cat tree to help encourage this natural instinct.


However, this may not be enough to trim your cat's nails, so you should use nail clippers or scissor-type nail trimmers. Don't use regular scissors or a knife as they don't have a special handle to hold the cat's nails in place.


If you cut the nail too short and it starts to bleed; you can use blood stones, creams or medicines recommended by your doctor to stop the blood.