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Hair Care for Your Pet: Short, Long, and Curly Coats!

Grooming may seem like a tedious chore but it remains an essential part of having a happy and healthy pet. All fur types will require some form of regular coat-care in order to promote hygiene and circulate the oils that are critical to having a healthy coat. An unhealthy coat will have dry and damaged hair with lots of loose fur in the coat. Find out the best ways to care for your pets hair type by reading our suggestions below!

Short-Coated Dogs:

Yes, even short-haired dogs require frequent grooming and brushing to help maintain their coat. Those who have dogs with short hair will know all too well that this does not exempt you from dealing with lots of shedding. There are many things pet owners can do to help keep their pups short coat shiny and soft!

Making sure you brush your dog’s coat weekly will help remove excess loose fur, dirt and dandruff.
When brushing your pups short hair dust can often end up in the air so we recommend dampening your pups fur with water before brushing to help smooth out the coat.
For best results when grooming your dog try using a short, soft-bristled brush.
During intense shedding periods you can use a deshedding brush specifically for short haired dogs to help remove even more loose fur.

Long-Coated Dogs:

There is no doubt that many beautiful and elegant dog breeds have long flowing coats, however this comes at price. Long-coated pups often come with lots of shedding and grooming required. No matter the breed most long haired dogs will require more grooming and regular hair care to help maintain their beautiful coat.

To help combat the shedding and tangling often experienced with long hair dogs, try brushing their coats daily. It does not take long for a small tangle to turn into a large matted knot. Matted fur can often be painful and uncomfortable for your pup so it is important to keep up with your grooming.
A long bristled brush works best for long coats and helps to catch any loose fur. Make sure you are brushing through the whole length of the hair. Brush from the root to the ends of the hair.
You can also use a smaller comb to touch up your pups face and ears that will grab the finer hairs.
During their shedding season you may want to try using a deshedding brush.
When bathing a pup with long hair it is important to allow the water to flow down their fur and not against their fur to avoid tangling and clumping.

Curly-Coated Dogs:

Pups with curly hair are often favored because of the low amounts of shedding associated with their fur but curly coats do still require lots of work and grooming. Keeping their fur clean and debris-free is key in helping their coats look their best.

It is very easy for dirt and debris to get caught and stuck in your pups curly coat. This dirt and debris can get stuck in the coat until it is groomed. Brushing through your pups hair regularly will help to ensure this debris does not cause knots and mats that can be painful for your pup.
Use a slicker brush to brush through your dog's curly fur. Make sure you are not just brushing the top layer of fur, seperate the fur and brush from the root to the end of the hair all the way through.
Try using some hair conditioner on knots and mats you are having trouble brushing through.
Trim your dog’s hair or bring them to a professional groomer as needed to help keep your pups fur at a length that is manageable for you.

Healthy Diet, Healthy Coat:

No matter the type of fur, ensuring your dog maintains a smooth and shiny coat starts with their diet. Make sure your pet is getting important nutrients like those found in TLC Whole Life Pet Food. TLC contains high quality animal fats, herbs & oils to give your pet a healthier, shinier coat.

Looking good on the outside starts with feeling good on the inside.