Our spa staff is trained to ensure that each pet receives individualized attention perfect for their unique coat and personality. We love making our guests look and feel their very best, and the tools we use are a contributing factor to that success. We thought we would share a few tips to help pet parents with at-home maintenance!
Long/Curly Coats: Our fluffiest friends usually require a few extra steps in the grooming process, but simple routine maintenance can keep the mats and tangles at bay. The most common type of brush used for these coats are wire “Slicker” brushes. These brushes are excellent at breaking up small tangles and removing undercoat and shedding hair. On poodles and other curly breeds, these brushes separate each strand, leaving the pet soft and totally fluffy. These are best used in conjunction with a metal toothed comb, which should be run through the coat to find mats, and a mat removing blade comb to break them up.
Short Coats: Dogs such as labs or beagles don’t have to worry about mats, but they can shed just as much as any long-haired breed! The best tool we have found for short/thick hair is the Equigroom or shedding blade. Simple, short strokes with the grain of the fur perfectly remove excess dead hair and dirt, while spreading natural skin oils leaving the coat much healthier and shinier. The Furminator is another popular grooming tool that can be useful for short-haired breeds with an undercoat. However, we don’t recommend it for dogs with hair longer than a couple inches as it will pull their hair. Use a light even pressure, be careful around sensitive areas, and always brush from head to tail.
Coat Oils and Sprays: We always finish every bath with a spritz of delicious fragrance to keep each pet smelling fresher for longer. We often pair this with Argan coat oil or a softening spray. In between baths, these products can be very helpful, as many of them are made with de-tanglers and moisturizers to make brushing a breeze and to prevent skin irritation. Dry or no-rinse shampoos are great for basic maintenance as well, provided your pup doesn’t get too wet or dirty between baths. We recommend these for at home care, as regular use can only improve the health and strength of the coat!
We know some pet parents love the bonding experience and accomplished feeling of tackling brushing and grooming at home, and we hope these tips are useful! But we are always here to pamper pets who prefer a spa day as well. Talk to one of our knowledgeable team members today about how to keep your pet looking their best!