1. Try to get your dog used to bathing at the youngest age possible. They younger your dog is when he gets used to bathing, the happier you’ll both be.

2. Do not bathe your dog too often. Dogs have natural oils on their skin and fur which are beneficial to them. Frequent bathing may remove those natural oils.

3. Always groom your dog prior to bathing to remove any loose fur. Loose fur is much more difficult to remove after getting wet. Also, knotted and matted fur prevents the shampoo from getting through the dog’s coat.

4. Use a shampoo that is suitable for your dog. Using a shampoo that is not formulated for dogs can harm your dog’s coat and skin. Do not use household soaps or cleaning liquids. A good quality dog shampoo doesn’t always lather as much as shampoo you use on your own hair. This makes it easier to rinse the shampoo from your dog’s coat.

5. Use lukewarm water. Always test the water before your dog gets into it.

6. Ensure that your dog is thoroughly soaked before you add any shampoo.

7. Wash your dog from the top down. Start at the neck and back. followed by the tail and bottom, then the legs and paws. Finally, wash the dog’s head and face. Most dog shampoos will not bother your dog’s eyes much, but do your best to avoid shampoo in your dog’s eyes.

8. Keep a hand available to control the dog’s movement. Placing a hand under the dog’s chin will help steady him and keep him from turning and twisting.

9. If necessary, use the buddy system. It’s always easier if one person can be responsible for controlling the dog’s movements while the other person does the bathing.

10. Don’t break your back leaning over the edge of the tub. Consider purchasing a dog booster bath. A booster bath will not only save your back, but it makes clean up much easier also.

11. Be prepared for the shake. If you dog starts to shake the water off before you’re finished, simply place your hand on the back of his head or neck to make him stop.

12. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly. After rinsing, squeeze as much excess water as possible from your dog’s fur.

13. If your dog doesn’t mind, use the hair dryer. Some dogs just don’t like it, so don’t force it if your dog is afraid. Towel dry if it makes your dog happier. Brushing and drying at the same time will help your dog’s coat dry quicker and without the tangles.

14. Groom your dog after drying to make sure any knots and matts are removed.

I hope these tips help make your dog bath time easier for you and your dog.

You can get some great dog bathing supplies (shampoo, brushes, booster baths, and more) from CheapPetStore.com. They offer free shipping on orders over $39. 10% Off Entire Order at CheapPetStore.com – Dogs & Puppies - Coupon Code CCP1

So, what causes matts and how do you treat matted fur?

There are several things which can cause matting, but the most common cause is lack of grooming. If you haven’t brushed your cat or dog for a while, shame on you. Your pet can’t do it himself. He’s totally dependent on you to take care of him. If you can’t do it regularly, please take your pet to a groomer regularly.

Fleas can also cause matting. They can create a tangled mess in your pets fur. Check and treat your pet for fleas regularly.

Some cats and dogs have 2 coats of fur which shed and need to be brushed out. This is a natural process and it is important to brush out the undercoat when your pet is shedding.

So how do you de-matt your pet’s fur? Well, let’s get this one out of the way first. You can always have your pet shaved and let him start all over. Sometimes it’s the best thing. In the right weather, a fresh shave feels great to your pet. It might scare you at first glance, but it always grows back. However, many people are shocked at the thought of shaving their little beauty, so here’s how you can take care of matted hair on your own.

The most important thing to remember when de-matting your pet is this: be patient. Bathing your pet before trying to remove the matts can often make the matts worse. Removing matts from your cat or dog is usually not a quick process, so be patient. My youngest yorkie matted up over the course of 2 weeks one time because I slacked on grooming, and it took me 3 weeks to remove the matts.

Here are the tools you’ll need to remove matts from your dog or cat (the best prices I’ve found on these items is from CheapPetStore.com):

• A steel comb
• A slicker brush
• A matt splitter

First, let your pet get into a comfortable position… on your lap, on the floor, on the sofa, or wherever he can get comfortable. You don’t want to wrestle your pet during this. If your pet is matted in several places, start de-matting in the places where your pet is most comfortable lying down. In other words, let your pet get comfortable, then work with the places which have easiest access. Also, do your best to control the cat or dog’s head. Control the head… control the pet.

Next begin to work on the matts with the steel comb. Be sure to brush with the grain of the fur. Don’t pull so hard that it hurts your dog. Just for an experiment, grab a small piece of hair on the back of your own head. Pull down, then pull up. Which one hurt more? Up, right? Keep that in mind when you’re brushing your pet. Use the steel comb to slowly break up the clumps.

Try to pull the matted clumps apart into small sections with your hands. The matts are easier to remove if they are smaller, and this will cut down on the amount of fur your pet loses. You may need to carefully cut into the matt with scissors to divide it up. Obviously, don’t get too close to the skin. A cut pet is an unhappy pet. An unahppy pet is more difficult to groom.

As the matts begin to break up, use the slicker brush to remove the tangles. Start at the end of the fur and work your way closer to the skin as the matts loosen up. If you try to start at the base of the fur, next to the skin, you’ll just end up compressing the matts even tighter.

If your pet is going to require numerous grooming sessions to remove the matts, that’s ok. The end results will be rewarding for both you and your pet. Take your time. Be patient. Help your dog or cat to remain calm and comfortable. If you’re sitting down to watch TV or a movie, that would be a great time to work on the matts.

After all the matts are removed, plan on regular grooming times for your cat or dog. Keep the comb or brush in a noticeable spot to remind you about maintaining your pet’s fur. It much easier to brush your pet a few minutes each day than it is to spend hours fighting to remove matted fur.

Good luck!