Grooming your pet at home can be rewarding and can enhance your bond, ensure their health by preventing skin issues, and allow you to check for any abnormalities. Our Westerville Veterinary Clinic team designed a step-by-step grooming guide that covers three critical aspects of grooming—bathing, nail trimming, and anal gland expression.

How to bathe your pet

Before corralling your pet into the bathtub, gather these essentials:

  • Pet-friendly shampoo
  • Towels
  • Brush or comb
  • Non-slip mat
  • Cup or spray nozzle

Then, follow these steps for a fresh-smelling pet:

  • Prepare the bathing area — Choose a location suitable for your pet’s size, such as a sink for small pets or a bathtub for larger ones. Place a non-slip mat inside to prevent slipping. 
  • Brush your pet — Before bathing, brush your pet to remove any loose fur and detangle knots. Your pet’s wet fur is more likely to tangle and mat.
  • Wet your pet — Use lukewarm water to wet your pet down to the skin. Be gentle and avoid spraying water on their face, cleaning around their eyes and muzzle with a wet washcloth instead.
  • Apply shampoo — Lather a pet-friendly shampoo into your pet’s coat. A medicated shampoo may need to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing, so first read the instructions.
  • Rinse thoroughly — Rinse off all the shampoo with lukewarm water to avoid skin irritation. Your pet’s fur should feel squeaky-clean, rather than slippery, with no bubbles when you spray their fur. 
  • Dry your pet — Gently pat your pet dry with towels, avoiding vigorous scrubbing that can damage the hair follicles and lead to a skin infection. If your furry pal will tolerate a hairdryer on a cool setting, that will speed up the process.
  • Brush again — Once your pet is dry, brush through their coat again to remove fur loosened during their bath.

How to trim your pet’s nails

Essentials for trimming your pet’s nails include appropriately sized nail clippers, styptic powder or silver nitrate sticks, and high-value treats.

Trim your pet’s nails every six to eight weeks to prevent painful overgrowth and so your pet will walk with a proper posture. You may need an assistant armed with high-value treats, peanut butter, or another long-lasting snack to keep your pet calm and relaxed. Once your pet and helper are ready, you can:

  • Examine the nails — Familiarize yourself with your pet’s nail anatomy by identifying the quick, which is the pink area containing blood vessels. You may be unable to see the quick in black nails, but see it in white nails.
  • Trim the nails — Hold the paw firmly but gently, or leave it on the ground if your pet is particularly sensitive about their paws being handled. Using pet nail clippers, trim a small portion of the nail at a 45-degree angle. For dark nails, where the quick is not readily visible, trim small bits at a time until you reach a dark spot in the nail’s center (i.e., the quick). In most cases, cutting the nail where it begins to curve into a hook will prevent damage to the quick.
  • Use styptic powder, if necessary — If you accidentally cut the quick, apply styptic powder to stop the bleeding.

How to express your pet’s anal glands

Not all pets need their anal glands expressed regularly—this typically is necessary only if your furry friend is scooting on the floor or licking their hind end excessively. 

Gather latex gloves, paper towels, lubricants, an assistant, and high-value treats. Anal gland expression is often a two-person job, especially for full or impacted glands.

Express your pet’s anal glands by:

  • Locating the anal glands — Put on disposable gloves and lubricate the index finger of your dominant hand. Gently insert your finger into the rectum up to the first or second knuckle, depending on your pet’s size. The glands are typically located at the 5 and 7 o’clock positions around the anus. 
  • Gently squeezing the glands — Apply gentle pressure to the glands, milking the fluid up and out. Use paper towels to catch the fluid. Once you empty the glands, you should no longer be able to feel them.
  • Cleaning the area — Clean the area thoroughly with a damp cloth or pet-safe wipes.

Grooming your pet at home can be manageable with the right preparation and techniques. However, if your pet strongly objects to grooming, anti-anxiety medications may be necessary. Discuss calming options with our Westerville Veterinary Clinic team, so you can get the job done without stress.