GOING TO THE GROOMER
ASK FOR: a bath (no water and soap in ears & eyes) // a slight trimming of feathers' length to keep clean around feet, underbelly and behind // knots removal (cutting them off, not shaving) // to shave under the ear pads, if your dog is prone to ear infections to keep moisture away (do NOT cut ear length) // anal gland to be checked ( if problematic they need to let you know so that you give pumpkin to your dog to help) // nail clipping // a good towel dry & brushing without scary hairdryer... and voilà! 👍
DO NOT HAVE BODY COAT SHAVED: be very specific--your cavalier's inner coat is very important to keep warm during winter and cool during summer--if shaved, it will grow back most likely with a different color, very coarse and no longer will it protect your cavalier as it used to... Personally, if my groomer recommended shaving my cavalier, I would find another groomer (good for business I suppose as they will have a customer for life as the coat very seldom ever recovers).
GROOMING AT HOME
NONE OF MY DOGS HAVE EVER BEEN TO A GROOMER: I have always done it myself as it is very simple. This is a picture of my grooming kit at home. My dogs rarely get a bath, but they all get weekly brushings to stay pretty and get those knots out, and also I always do a quick inspection of nails, eyes, ears, and oral hygiene... I never shave their coat, just trim.
- SOAP: I don't use shampoo, I use the WONDERCIDE SOAP brand which also repels fleas and ticks naturally by changing dogs' PH. I prefer this soap to any shampoo! Cavaliers have very sensitive skin and they do well with this soap, as it cleans nicely, smells good (citronella), keeps pests away and is easy to rinse (some shampoos are just too slimy and you can't get suds out no matter how well you rinse). REMEMBER NEVER TO PUT WATER DIRECTLY IN EARS AS LONG-EAR DOGS ARE PRONE TO EAR INFECTIONS WHEN MOISTURE GETS TRAPPED INSIDE. SAME THING FOR KEEPING WATER AWAY FROM DOGS' EYES AS THEY ARE VERY FRAGILE.
- SCISSORS: One long pair of ROUNDED TIP SCISSORS that you will use to remove knots. Watch out for behind ears, that's where the knots hide!
- DOG NAIL CLIPPERS: I like the good old fashion DOG CLIPPERS (get the medium blue). I usually don't have to use those on my young cavaliers as they get so much exercise outside that their nails are naturally trimmed. But still, inspect nails when grooming, especially the dewclaws as they hang on the side of the legs and have no ground contact. Nail clippers are mostly for when dogs become older and less active. DO NOT USE ON PUPPY: FOR ADULT DOGS ONLY!
- HUMAN TOENAIL CLIPPERS & NAIL FILE: these human NAIL CLIPPERS are perfect for puppies... When young, their nails are growing extremely fast, and because they are not yet fully vaccinated, puppies cannot naturally trim their own nails in the great outdoors. To get them used to you cutting their nails, always make it a habit to mess with their feet when puppies are resting next to you. You almost have to do it every 2 weeks at that age.. you'll know! Be extremely cautious as to not cut too close to the skin, it's better to have the nails too long and you can round them gently with a NAIL FILE (this is a special crystal glass file for scared puppy and last forever). THIS IS ONLY NEEDED FOR PUPPIES.
- BRUSH: I love my 2 SIDED BRUSH; it's soft enough that it doesn't hurt my babies, but works great on detangling knots... I only bath my dogs on occasions, but I sure do brush them very often! It takes a minute outside and guarantees a dog with a healthy pretty shiny coat, free of tangles, and especially it means a lot less hair in my home 👍ALWAYS BE VERY GENTLE!
- COMB: I use the comb to detangle the ears, it's useful when there are knots. It's actually a FLEA COMB, but I don't need to use it for fleas as no fleas in Big Bear (for you, it might come in handy if you live down the hill and you see your dog scratching; just run it thru their coat and if your dog has fleas, you'll know right away). ALWAYS BE VERY GENTLE!
- HAIR DETANGLER: I rarely use this BIO-GROOM INDULGE detangler with Argan oil, and if you plan on using one, I would advise you to only buy extra natural products that are not going to make your dog itchy (no dyes or parabens)... I have used this when showing my dogs to help to make their coat perfect, free of tangles and shiny. OPTIONAL, ONLY REALLY NEEDED IF SHOWING.
- ELECTRIC HAIR CLIPPERS: I rarely use this CLIPPER as I believe that cavaliers' pretty fluffy coat should NEVER be shaved as they have an inner coat that naturally protects them from heat and cold... plus they look so pretty with all their feathers! But on occasion, I will use the razor to cut long extra hair under my pooches' feet if they slip too much indoor, or I will shave gently the inside (only) of their ear when I have a dog prone to ear infection (it keeps the moisture away/ since I moved to extremely dry climate of Big Bear, I haven't had to do it ). OPTIONAL, AND DEFINITELY NOT FOR PUPPIES!
- A PRETTY TOWEL: always make sure your dog is dry, especially their ears as floppy-eared dogs like cavaliers are very susceptible to ear infections, especially if they have too much moisture trapped in their ears. I personally never use a hairdryer as the noise and heat would be too traumatic for my babies. After a good towel dry: LET YOUR CLEAN BABY RUN CRAZY IN THE HOUSE 🤪
WEEKLY CHECK EARS, EYES & TEETH
- EAR CARE PRODUCT: after bathing, make sure the ears inside are very dry. Like humans, you can gently wipe inside... IF IT SMELLS, use CLEAN EARS to do a quick wash, and later you can add 2/4 drops TERRA SEPTIC DROPS until ears are back to normal. If it's too nasty already or the ears don't improve after a few days, take your dog to the vet to treat the infection. MOISTURE IS YOUR ENEMY, SO NEVER PUT WATER DIRECTLY IN EARS WHEN BATHING!
- EYES CARE PRODUCT: after bathing, make sure the eyes are clean and clear. If red, you could do an eyewash with NUTRI-VET. As a precaution, you should put 2/4 drops of the TERRA SEPTIC (used above for ears) as it should help if there are the slightest bacterias. If after a few days, the eyes still seem unwell, please contact your vet. NEVER PUT WATER OR SOAP DIRECTLY IN EYE WHILE BATHING.
IF TEARS UNDER THE EYES, DON'T ATTEMPT TO CLEAN IN BATH WITH WATER AND SOAP, AS YOU COULD REALLY DAMAGE EYE, INSTEAD TRY A FEW THINGS: MAKE ORGANIC GREEN TEA AND GENTLY WIPE UNDER EYES MORNINGS & EVENINGS (TEA LAST 4 DAYS IN FRIDGE). IF YOU PREFER, USE VIRGIN COCONUT OIL (ANTIBACTERIAL & ANTIFUNGAL PROPERTIES), JUST WIPE UNDER THE EYES. MAKE SURE YOU USE GLASS, STAINLESS OR CERAMIC WATER BOWL (NO PLASTIC). YOU COULD TRY USING FILTERED OR BOTTLED WATER FOR A CHANGE & ADDING 1 TSP OF ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR IN DAILY WATER. ALSO, ADD ORGANIC FROZEN OR FRESH BLUEBERRIES TO DOG'S DIET (5/6), AND KEEP ON USING THE TERRA SEPTIC DROPS UNTIL IT CLEARS. IT COULD BE YOUR DOG'S FOOD OR TREATS HAVING TOO MANY TOXINS, THUS IF NOTHING HAS WORKED, YOU SHOULD TRY TO CHANGE YOUR DOGS DIET. LAST, IF STILL NOT IMPROVEMENT: LOOK AT THIS LINK, DON'T DESPAIR, CALL ME!
- TEETH CARE PRODUCT: It is always a good idea to check that all is well with your pet's teeth. A quick inspection would be ideal. Then, routinely use DR. JUDY MORGAN NATURALLY HEALTHY PETS 2/5 drops on upper gums to dissolve teeth' build-up. You can also brush your pet's teeth with a TOOTHBRUSH KIT. There are many options to get your dog's teeth cleaned professionally, by your vet or by professionals that often work with your local pet store (ask them, as they usually do it without putting your pet under, so cheaper and less traumatic). IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HYGIENE OF YOUR PET.
