Daily pet care checklist: from bathing and grooming to brushing teeth and cutting nails

Daily pet care does not require completing all tasks at once. Compared to occasional deep maintenance, stable, small, and frequent daily care is more suitable for cats and dogs and can also reduce stress. The core principle is that daily small care is better than one-time deep care, gradually and gradually, and the frequency is adjusted according to hair, variety, age, and health condition. The following content is applicable to both cats and dogs, while also supplementing the care focus for each dog and cat.

Brushing hair is the most basic and frequent care. Short haired cats and dogs are usually combed once or twice a week. Medium and long haired pets such as puppets, golden hairs, border collie, etc. are recommended to be combed once a day, and the hair changing period should be doubled. You can prepare needle combs, combing combs, hair removal combs, and rubber hair removal brushes. When combing, follow the direction of hair growth. If you encounter knots, do not forcefully pull them. You can slowly tear them open with your fingers. If they are severely clumped, it is recommended to cut them off. The armpits, abdomen, behind the ears, and inside the thighs are the most prone to knots and require special attention. Brushing hair is also an opportunity to check your body, and you can pay attention to skin redness, dandruff, fleas, and lumps.

In terms of bathing, dogs usually wash once every two to four weeks, and frequent bathing is not recommended to avoid damaging skin oil. If it is only partially dirty, you can choose to dry clean the area locally or wipe it with a damp towel. Domestic cats are usually washed once every two to three months, and many cats can clean themselves. Kittens and elderly cats should be washed as little as possible. Pet specific shower gel must be used for bathing, and the use of human shampoo is strictly prohibited. Before taking a shower, comb your hair, cut your nails, and clean your ear canal to avoid tangling your hair after getting wet. Keep the water temperature at around 37 degrees Celsius and be careful not to let water enter your ears. After washing, thoroughly blow dry, especially the bottom layer of fluff, as moisture can easily cause skin diseases. It is not recommended to take a shower during the vaccination period, illness, just finished eating, and estrus period.

Nail trimming is usually done every two to four weeks, depending on the wear and tear. Dogs who frequently run on hard surfaces can extend the interval appropriately. The tool requires a pet nail clipper and hemostatic powder, which is a must-have for emergency use when cutting to the blood line. When trimming, be sure to see the pink blood line inside the nail, only cut the transparent tip, and never cut the blood line. Dark nails should be trimmed in small amounts, not too much at once. If the cat or dog resists, it can be trimmed in stages, cutting one to two pieces at a time, without forcing them.

Oral care is an important but easily overlooked aspect. The ideal state is to brush your teeth every day, with a minimum of two to three times a week. Pet specific toothpaste and pet toothbrushes or finger cots are required. The use of human toothpaste is prohibited as fluoride may cause poisoning. Teeth cleaning water and teeth cleaning snacks can be used as supplements. The operation should be gradual, first touch the lips, then apply toothpaste for the pet to taste, and then slowly brush the outer teeth. The inner teeth are difficult to brush, so priority should be given to cleaning the outer teeth. Pets should regularly see a dentist after the age of two, and if they have severe dental calculus, they need to go to the hospital for ultrasonic cleaning.

In terms of ear canal cleaning, healthy pets can be checked and cleaned once every one to two weeks. Dogs with drooping ears and cats with folded ears are more likely to accumulate earwax, and it is recommended to check them weekly. Tools include pet ear wash and cotton balls or makeup pads. Do not use cotton swabs to dig deep into the ear canal to avoid puncturing the eardrum. When using, drip ear wash, gently rub the base of the ear, wait for the pet to shake their head, and then wipe off the dirt on the outer ear. If there is black brown earwax, odor, or frequent ear scratching, it is most likely due to ear mites or inflammation, and medical attention should be sought in a timely manner.

Eye care requires daily check ups and timely cleaning of secretions. You can use pet eye wipes or physiological saline with cotton pads. Wipe the secretions from the corners of the eyes from the inside out. If there is continuous heavy tearing and redness, it is necessary to check for inverted eyelashes and inflammation.

If you want to form a stable rhythm, you can arrange it as follows: short haired pets comb their fur once or twice a week, long haired pets comb their fur once a day, and the hair changing period increases; Brushing teeth daily is best, with a minimum of two to three times a week, and human toothpaste should not be used; Trim your nails every two to four weeks and prepare hemostatic powder; Check and clean the ear canal every one to two weeks, and do not let cotton swabs penetrate deeply; In terms of bathing, dogs should take a bath every two to four weeks, and cats should take a bath every two to three months. After washing, they must be thoroughly dried; Daily eye examination, if there is abnormal tearing, seek medical attention promptly.

For dogs, daily care can be carried out more specifically. Short haired dogs are combed once or twice a week, while long haired dogs or double furred dogs are combed once a day, with increased frequency during the molting period. Tools such as needle combs, combing combs, and hair removal combs can be used, with a focus on combing the armpits, lower abdomen, and inner thighs. Hair knots should not be forcefully pulled, and skin, dandruff, parasites, and lumps should be checked at the same time. Bathing should be done every two to four weeks, using only pet specific shower gel. Before bathing, comb your hair and thoroughly blow dry the bottom layer of fur to prevent skin diseases. Do not wash during the vaccination period or when sick. Trim your nails every two to four weeks. Dogs that frequently run on cement floors wear out quickly and can be extended appropriately. Cut only transparent tips, avoid pink blood lines, prepare hemostatic powder, and cut in batches when resisting. The ideal oral care is to brush your teeth daily, at least two to three times a week. It is strictly prohibited for humans to use toothpaste, and pet toothpaste should be used in conjunction with finger cots or pet toothbrushes. Priority should be given to cleaning the outer side of teeth, and regular check ups for dental calculus should be conducted. Dogs with healthy ear canals should be checked every one to two weeks. For dogs with drooping ears, it is important to check every week. After washing the ears with ear drops, gently rub the roots of the ears. After shaking the dog's head, wipe the outer ears. Do not use cotton swabs to penetrate deep into the ear canal. If black brown earwax, odor, or frequent ear scratching occur, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Daily eye check ups should be conducted, and any secretions should be promptly cleared. Physiological saline or pet eye wipes can be used to wipe the corners of the eyes. If there are long-term tears or redness or swelling, seek medical attention promptly. The overall principle is to cultivate habits from a young age, take care of dogs in small amounts multiple times, and reduce stress.

For cats, short haired cats are combed once or twice a week, while long haired cats are combed once a day, with an increased shedding period. Tools such as needle combs and combing combs can be used, with a focus on combing the armpits, behind the ears, and abdomen. Knots should not be forcefully pulled, and skin, dandruff, and small insects should be checked at the same time. Domestic cats are usually washed once every two to three months. Cats will self clean and do not need to be washed frequently. Only use pet shower gel, thoroughly dry after washing, and do not wash until the vaccine is administered. Trim your nails every two to four weeks, only cut the transparent tips, avoid pink blood lines, prepare hemostatic powder for emergency use, and cut them in batches if you resist. The ideal oral care is to brush every day, at least two to three times a week. It is forbidden for humans to use toothpaste, and pet toothpaste should be used in conjunction with a finger brush. Priority should be given to brushing the outer side of teeth. Ear canal health: Cats should have their ear canal checked every one to two weeks. Rub the roots of their ears with ear wash and wipe their outer ears after shaking their heads. Do not use cotton swabs to dig deep into the ear canal. Seek medical attention as soon as possible for dark brown earwax. Check your eyes daily and wipe them if there is any secretion. You can use physiological saline or pet eye wipes to wipe from the inside out. If you continue to shed tears, redness, and swelling, seek medical attention in a timely manner. The overall principle is to conduct daily check ups, take care of cats in small amounts multiple times, and reduce cat stress.

Preschool pets should take a shower after receiving the vaccine and develop a habit of care from a young age to reduce stress in adulthood. Elderly pets need to move gently and pay attention to joint, skin, and dental health during the care process. If the pet struggles violently or exhibits aggressive behavior, do not forcefully operate it. It can be cared for in segments or handed over to professional personnel such as pet stores for handling.