Dog clippers are a must for the avid home dog groomer. But some pet owners are not comfortable with the idea of using dog hair clippers for fear of hurting their pets. For this reason, many bring their animals to a professional groomer when they need a major shearing or just a little trim. However, by following some simple rules you can use dog trimming clippers all on your own and not cause any injury to your pet.
Removing Matted Fur
When you use dog clippers keep in mind your particular breed’s fur. If your pet is a longer haired breed, then sometimes you may want to trim the hair shorter to help avoid matting. Clipping the hair on the coat shorter will help lessen dust accumulation and matting that if left unchecked could become very painful and cause skin irritation. Once the fur is tightly matted close to the skin your pooch will feel some discomfort as the matted area is cut away. This will be the case even if you have a professional dog groomer to the job. If prone to nipping or biting when in pain you may need to put a muzzle on your pet as a safety precaution. It is always best to deal with matted fur as soon as you discover the problem. Excessive matting can make it difficult to keep your dog clean which may support conditions that are ripe for infection or infestation. And these issues will also get worse over time if not treated quickly.
Bath Your Pooch Before You Trim
If possible it is always best to bath you pooch before a haircut to remove dirt and debris that could dull the cutting blade. But if your animal’s fur is severely matted this may not be possible.
Professional Dog Clippers
For best results, use a professional grooming clipper. These units tend to be safer, more powerful, and also much more convenient to use than many less expensive models since they are designed for professional use. They also offer a wider variety of accessories so that you can select the best cutting blades for your pooch’s particular type of coat.
Choosing the Right Blade Attachments
The right blade attachments will allow you to get the job done quicker and the whole experience will be more comfortable for your pet. Each blade is designed to handle a certain thickness and length of fur. So choosing an appropriate size for the task at hand will definitely make your job easier and quicker. Cutting blades are usually numbered so if you have a long haired breed you’ll have to select a higher number blade than if you have a pet with a shorter coat.
It is important to ensure that the blades you use are sharp. Electric dog clippers will need to have the blades replaced over time so that the blade will cut without pulling on the fur. Replacement blades can be purchased directly from the manufacturer or from a good online pet supplies store.
Tips for Winter & Summer Grooming
During the winter, some pet owners prefer to allow some extra hair on their pet for warmth. Unless the hair poses other problems such as accumulation of dust or frequent tangling, you can often avoid trimming the hair all through the cold weather. In extreme cold weather conditions dogs, just like people, are prone to the cold. Leaving enough hair on the coat will act as natural protection against the cold weather. Even during the warmer summer months, you may not want to cut your pooch’s hair too short especially if she spends a lot of time in the sun. If the coat is cut very short it may not provide adequate protection from the sun’s rays. Animals can get sunburn, too.
By: Teresa James About the Author:
Taking a few precautions while using a
dog grooming clipper can go a long way in preventing injuries and harm to your dog. And remember to always read the user’s manual that comes with the unit before using it. Visit
Dog Supplies Advisor for more great information on caring for your dog.
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