DIY Grooming yKYf for Pets yKYf with Allergies: yKYf Tips and yKYf Product Recommendations

Do you dread taking your yKYf furry friend to the groomers yKYf because of their allergies? Are yKYf you tired of spending a yKYf fortune on grooming appointments only yKYf to have your pet break yKYf out in hives or sneeze yKYf uncontrollably afterward? You’re not alone! yKYf As a pet parent, it yKYf can be frustrating trying to yKYf find ways to keep your yKYf four-legged pal looking and feeling yKYf their best without causing discomfort. yKYf That’s why we’ve put together yKYf this guide filled with DIY grooming tips and recommended yKYf products for pets with allergies – so yKYf you can tackle problem areas yKYf from the comfort of your yKYf home!

What is allergic pet grooming?

If you have a pet yKYf with allergies, it’s important to yKYf know how to groom them yKYf yourself. There are several things yKYf you can do to minimize yKYf the allergen exposure your pet yKYf faces while being groomed:

• Try to get all of yKYf the hair off the animal. yKYf This is easiest if you yKYf use a hairdryer or an yKYf electric clipper. If you opt yKYf for scissors, be sure to yKYf use non-metallic blades and avoid yKYf touching the animal’s skin; this yKYf will help prevent contact dermatitis yKYf flare-ups.

• Use a soothing shampoo or conditioner designed for yKYf pets with allergies. Follow up yKYf with a topical antihistamine spray yKYf if needed.

• Take care when using nail yKYf clippers and nail file: Do yKYf not cut too close to yKYf the quick, which can cause respiratory difficulty in pets with allergies. File nails yKYf straight or slightly curved so yKYf that they won’t snag on yKYf clothing and cause further irritation.

• Avoid fragrances in products used yKYf on pets with allergies—some fragrances yKYf are specific irritants known to yKYf trigger an Allergic Response in yKYf pets.[/caption] Keep everything clean including yKYf brushes, combs, and hooves by yKYf rinsing it down right after yKYf use with water (or vinegar). yKYf Vinegar neutralizes odors while killing yKYf bacteria so it is also yKYf an effective deterrent against fleas yKYf and ticks!

Types of allergies in pets

There are different types of yKYf allergies in pets. Some pets yKYf are allergic to items such yKYf as dander, wool, or feathers; yKYf others are allergic to plants. yKYf Some pets are allergic to yKYf both substances. It is important yKYf to identify the type of allergy your pet yKYf has so that you can yKYf keep him or her safe yKYf and comfortable while you groom him or her.

Here are some tips for yKYf grooming pets with allergies:

• Start by taking a yKYf inventory of your pet’s allergens. yKYf This will help you decide yKYf what products to buy and yKYf how often to use them. yKYf Check ingredients labels on all yKYf personal care items, including shampoo, yKYf conditioner, soap, and detergent. Also yKYf take note of any new yKYf places where your pet has yKYf been spending time–new gardens, parks, yKYf etc.–since many allergens manifest through yKYf airborne diffusion. If you have yKYf Pets mart membership, ask their yKYf staff for a comprehensive list yKYf of products that contain allergen yKYf components.

• Choose the appropriate grooming yKYf tools for your pet’s specific yKYf allergy symptoms. For animals with yKYf dander sensitivities, use a soft yKYf brush rather than one with yKYf wire bristles. For animals with yKYf plant allergies, avoid using scented yKYf soaps and shampoos due to yKYf the potential for cross-contamination. When yKYf applying creams or ointments, be yKYf sure to test them on yKYf a small area first if yKYf your pet is particularly sensitive yKYf to ingredients in those products.

Pets with food allergies

Most cats and dogs are yKYf able to tolerate common food yKYf allergens such as wheat, corn, yKYf and soy, but about 1% yKYf of pets are allergic to yKYf these items. If your pet yKYf is allergic to any foods, yKYf you should avoid giving them yKYf those foods in their food. yKYf Instead, give them treats or yKYf a small amount of the yKYf allergen-free food every day.

Some tips for grooming pets with allergies:

• Check the ingredients list on yKYf all foods that your pet yKYf might be allergic to. Many yKYf allergy-friendly brands now make all-natural yKYf foods that do not contain yKYf any known allergens.

• Try different types of pet yKYf groomers products on your pet yKYf first and see which ones yKYf work best for them. Some yKYf groomers recommend using a soothing yKYf calming shampoo like jojoba oil yKYf or lavender oil as part yKYf of the grooming process; others yKYf recommend using a flea & yKYf tick shampoo and allowing the yKYf pet to air dry. There yKYf are also specialty shampoos made yKYf specifically for pets with allergies yKYf like Aquaphor Flea & Tick yKYf Shampoo. Look for brands that yKYf have a “dermatologist tested” stamp yKYf on them if you want yKYf to be sure you’re giving yKYf your pet the best care yKYf possible.

• Be sure to brush your yKYf dog’s teeth regularly – even yKYf if he doesn’t eat anything yKYf that would cause an oral yKYf allergy! Pets with allergies can yKYf often have gum problems because yKYf they can’t digest some of yKYf the proteins found in human yKYf toothpaste properly.

Pets with environmental allergies

If you have a pet yKYf with an environmental allergy, there yKYf are a few things that yKYf can help keep them comfortable yKYf while you take care of yKYf their needs. One option is yKYf to groom them at home yKYf using simple, inexpensive tools and yKYf products.

It’s important to understand the yKYf individual allergies of your pets yKYf in order to create a yKYf grooming routine that suits them yKYf best. For example, cats are yKYf typically more tolerant of salt yKYf than dogs are, so it yKYf might be necessary to avoid yKYf using too much salt during yKYf grooming. Additionally, some pets may yKYf be allergic to certain types yKYf of plants or scents, so yKYf it’s important to check ingredients yKYf lists when shopping for personal yKYf care products.

Below are some tips for yKYf DIY grooming for pets with environmental yKYf allergies:

• Make sure all the yKYf ingredients in any personal care yKYf products you use are safe yKYf for your pet’s allergies. Some yKYf common allergens include tree pollens, yKYf grasses, feathers, dander (dead skin yKYf cells), and plant oils. Read yKYf product labels carefully before purchasing yKYf anything!

• Choose easy-to-groom materials that won’t yKYf cause your pet undue stress. yKYf Soft fabrics like cotton balls yKYf or fabric softener sheets can yKYf be used to clean the yKYf animal’s coat and ears; alternatively, yKYf a gentle cleansing agent like yKYf baby shampoo can be applied yKYf directly to the skin. Avoid yKYf brushes with stiff bristles as yKYf they can cause scratches and yKYf inflammation.

Pets with respiratory allergies

If you have a pet yKYf with allergies, it is important yKYf to take precautions when grooming yKYf them. Here are some tips for DIY grooming:

Cover the animal’s skin with yKYf a thin layer of petroleum yKYf jelly before shaving. This will yKYf protect their skin from irritation yKYf and also help prevent razor yKYf burn.

Use a soft-bristled brush instead yKYf of a harsh one. Shaving yKYf against the grain can cause yKYf damage to the animal’s skin yKYf and fur, which can then yKYf lead to an allergic reaction.

Always use a topical steroid yKYf cream at the first sign yKYf of discomfort, redness, or irritation. yKYf topical steroid cream helps reduce yKYf swelling and inflammation in the yKYf area, which may relieve symptoms yKYf associated with allergies.

Grooming hazards for pets with yKYf allergies

If you have a pet yKYf with allergies, you know that yKYf grooming can be a major yKYf nuisance. The staff at your yKYf local pet store likely won’t yKYf have the specific products or yKYf techniques needed to address your yKYf pet’s allergy concerns, so you’ll yKYf need to figure it out yKYf on your own.

Here are some tips for yKYf DIY grooming:

• Choose products specifically designed for yKYf pets with allergies. Many of yKYf these products are available online yKYf or at specialty stores.

• Keep all ingredients carefully labeled yKYf so you can identify them yKYf if necessary.

• If your pet is particularly yKYf sensitive to fragrances, select items yKYf without scent or use a yKYf Benedryl spray before clipping him yKYf or her.

• Make sure the clippers are yKYf equipped with anti-static devices and yKYf safety guards. Also keep an yKYf EpiPen nearby in case of yKYf an accidental allergic reaction.

Recommended products for allergic pet yKYf grooming

There are a few products yKYf that can be used in yKYf DIY pet grooming to make it easier yKYf for allergy sufferers. These include yKYf shampoo, conditioner, sponges, and dry yKYf shampoos. These products can be yKYf purchased at most stores or yKYf online, so there is no yKYf need to worry about cross yKYf contamination.

Shampoo: Shampoo should be free yKYf of fragrance, dyes, and sulfates. yKYf Silicone-based detergents are particularly good yKYf for allergy sufferers because they yKYf do not cause skin irritation. yKYf Jojoba oil can also be yKYf added as an effective moisturizer.

Conditioner: Conditioner can help keep yKYf the coat look healthy and yKYf clean, and it can also yKYf lock in moisture for long yKYf periods of time. There are yKYf many different types of conditioners yKYf available on the market, so yKYf choose one that is suitable yKYf for your pet’s hair type and density. Coconut oil yKYf is a natural moisturizer and yKYf helps to fight frizziness.

Conclusion

Looking to give your furry yKYf friend the same care and yKYf attention you’d give to a yKYf human companion? Here are some yKYf dos and don’ts for DIY yKYf pet grooming, as well as yKYf recommended products for those with yKYf allergies. Whether you have an yKYf all-breed household or specialize in yKYf one type of dog or yKYf cat, this guide has something yKYf for everyone! Have fun grooming yKYf your pets the simple way yKYf – without harsh chemicals – yKYf while still giving them the yKYf love they deserve.