Before grooming your dog it might be a good idea to invest in dog grooming tables, which will facilitate the dog grooming process and help you to give your pet a thorough health check:

With this in mind, when your dog is on the dog grooming tables you should examine your pet’s skin for disorders such as ticks, fleas or irritations – check for anything which looks unusual with your animal’s coat, such as matting or bald patches; of course an effective diagnosis can only be a made by a vet, but there are definitely some tell-tale signs which will encourage you to get in touch with your local veterinary hospital.

Just like humans, dogs are also vulnerable to dandruff and just as we would use dandruff shampoo to treat the condition – a doggy dandruff can also be easily treated with the correct shampoo; when checking for dog dandruff whilst your dog is on their dog grooming tables look for flaky skin or hair that is excessively oily.

For many dogs, grooming and bathing can be a particularly stressful time for your pet, and therefore anything that facilitates the process is a good idea; with this in mind dog grooming tables from ideas-4-pets might just be one of the most useful dog accessories you ever purchase!

We at Ideas-4-Pets have a range of dog grooming aids including dog grooming tables to make it easy for you to improve the appearance of your pet.

The first time you try to groom your pet it may prove to be very hard work. Once you get into a routine you will find it becomes easier.

Gather up everything you will need and follow the routine set out below:

• Brush your dog’s coat and gently untangle any knots.

• Take your pet and stand him on the dog grooming table.

• Using a set of dog clippers will save you time and money. Clip any unruly amounts of hair from your pet’s body and take extra care not to touch his eyes.

• Check your pet’s eyes for any mess and gently wipe the eyes with warm clear water.

• Next step is to clean your pet’s ears with warm water and dry thoroughly. Do not use baby buds.

Once you have finished grooming your dog give him his normal bath and dry him off.

You will become aware that dogs with long hair take longer to dry and you may decide to invest in a dog grooming hair dryer to complement your dog grooming table.

We have a variety of dog care products at Ideas-4-Pets, including dog beds and dog cages.

At ideas-4-pets we have a wide range of dog grooming products including dog grooming tables, an ionic pet brush and nail clippers to name but a few.

A dog grooming table will make life easier when you are grooming him. No more trying to groom him on the floor or the kitchen table.

Our dog grooming tables start from a simple Lazy Susan to a hydraulic dog grooming table complete with attached drawers to keep your pet products in.

The ideal dog grooming table may be one that fits into your allocated space within your home. You may decide our portable dog grooming table is ideal as it can be stored away when not in use.

We recommend that new groomers should choose the largest dog grooming table they can afford. A large dog grooming table allows a dog groomer to groom the larger breeds of dogs with less stress.

The table needs to be able to hold a dog standing and lying down while supporting his head, torso and legs. Having a dog grooming table with a rubber top and rubber feet is essential as it stops movement when a dog starts to wriggle around.

Whatever your requirements, whether you are a professional dog groomer or a ‘normal’ dog owner we offer a selection of dog grooming tables to suit everyone’s pocket. We also stock other dog products such as dog kennels and dog cages.

Making sure your dog is not overweight means you have to keep control of the portions of pet food he eats and exercise your pet.

Obese dogs can lose weight easily by following a stricter pet diet and exercise plan.

A dog weight management plan can be adapted to fit in with your working day.

Take your pet to your local veterinary surgeon who will let you know the ideal pet weight for your breed of dog.

Feed your dog a premium dog food. Choose a food which has quality meat and vitamins listed on their labels.

Pet dog food for a puppy, adult and senior dogs have the correct amount of meat, proteins and carbohydrates added to them to keep dogs healthy at different stages of their lives.

Dog products at Ideas-4-Pets are aimed at keeping your dog healthy and comfortable.

As your dog grows older he or she may need a different dog bed. One of the popular dog beds we provide for dogs who have aching joints is an orthopaedic dog bed.

We have heated dog beds and of course a huge range of dog beds in different sizes and materials to suit all breeds.

Other dog products are available for your pet including dog grooming products and dog bedding.

At Ideas-4-Pets we are open seven days a week and our staff will help you to choose the correct dog product for your pet.

We at Ideas-4-Pets pride ourselves in being able to supply everything from dog beds, dog bedding and dog products.

One essential item for your puppy is a dog bed or dog cage. A dog cage is an item which is portable and can be used as a den for your puppy and has a training toll.

If you are taking your puppy in a car you can use the dog cage to keep him safe, and this is especially useful on long journeys. Dog bedding is available for dog cages to keep your puppy comfortable

Dog beds come in different materials, patterns and sizes to accommodate all breeds of dogs.

When your puppy comes home he will require a variety of dog products, including food and water bowls. Food bowls and water bowls should be heavy so your puppy will not be able to spill the contents all over the floor.

Other dog products your new pet will need are a puppy collar, puppy lead, comb, brush and puppy shampoo.

At Ideas-4-Pets, we have a wide range of dog training products and dog training tools for all breeds of dogs.

Our staff at Ideas-4-Pets are trained to give advice and answer any questions you may have regarding the care of your new pet.

Regular grooming is essential for all types of dogs, even the short haired ones. A good weekly grooming session reduces hair-shedding in the house which is great for home owners and also their dog. Long-haired dogs of course will require more frequent grooming.

The stomach, backs of the legs and long hair surrounding the ears tend to become more matted than other areas if they are left too long.  Grooming your dog regularly also helps you to identify any problems with the ears, skin etc. and if you do find anything amiss, please consult your vet. 

Ideas-4-pets have introduced a fantastic range of dog grooming tables which take the back-ache out of the job for us humans !! No more wriggling, struggling dogs to try and subdue whilst trying to comb and trim them in delicate areas.  The dog grooming tables can also be used for grooming your cat as she also needs to be kept clean and groomed.

There are several grooming tables to choose from – some have wheels, some are collapsible when not in use. There are hydraulic dog grooming tables and electric ones, so whether you are professional dog groomer or just want to make dog grooming a bonding experience with your own dog rather than an unpleasant necessity, you should be able to find the right type of grooming table to suit your needs.

If you want the whole experience to be made easier, ideas-4-pets also have an electric dog bath which takes the effort out of bathing your dog.  No more bending down over the family bath as this one has a rise and fall framework, 360 degrees access and an anti-slip base – which means that both you and your dog are safe !!

We at ideas-4-pets have also recognised the need for other good dog grooming products and so have added a quality range of dog grooming scissors and dog grooming hair dryers to our dog grooming equipment range.

When we buy our pup, the first things we think of purchasing are a dog bed, maybe a dog cage for training purposes, a dog kennel if we think our pup may like to spend some time outside, a dog lead and collar, maybe a brush to keep his coat clean and shiny and if he’s really lucky a dog grooming table to save on the price of taking him regularly to a dog grooming parlour.

But do we ever think of what type of shampoo to buy for him?  Maybe if we have bought our pup as a show dog we would give this some thought, but I suspect not as much if we have bought him as a family pet.  But just like us, dogs have to be kept clean and ideas-4-pets are about to launch a fantastic range of dog shampoos and conditioners that  will make your beloved pet feel that “he’s worth it !!”

The brand was first developed by AD Prince in the Pet Esthe Salon in Paris and it’s philosophy focuses on the rejuvenation of pets.  This fantastic system has spread to 23 countries and is becoming widely acclaimed in the best pet salons in the world.

The Pet Esthe brand claims to improve your dog’s coat and skin and is also said to have a healing effect on relationships between pet and owner.  There are some wonderful natural additives in the shampoo and conditioner

Pet Esthe was launches in the UK at the Glee Trade Fair in September 2008 and will be on the ideas-4-pets website very soon.  See for yourself what benefits this luxurious range of grooming products has to offer your pet. 

For instance, the Charcoal  range contain ingredients such as Japanese charcoal, bamboo charcoal, Dead Sea salt and vinegar extract.  It is claimed that Japanese charcoal and bamboo charcoal are substances that absorb waste matter,  supply natural minerals, discharge negative ions during washing and also eliminate unpleasant odours leaving your pet’s coat, clean and shiny.

Look out for this great new range and treat your pet to a luxurious salon-style grooming session – because he’s worth it !!

Your cat will really appreciate a good grooming session as cats are fastidious in their cleaning rituals.   I’m sure you’ve seen your cat carefully washing herself many times a day.   Although she can take care of herself very well, she will also benefit from some help from you. 

It’s important with cats and dogs (and rabbits) that grooming is an enjoyable experience for both of you, so make sure your cat is completely relaxed before starting to groom her.  A good time to groom is after she has had some exercise or after she’s eaten a meal. 

Grooming should be a positive experience, so don’t try it after a hard day at work when you might feel stressed and tired as this mood may rub off on to your cat and the whole experience could end up being a bad time for both of you !!

We advise that you keep your first grooming sessions to about 5 minutes and then gradually lengthen the time until your cat is used to the routine.  Your cat should be used to being handled before you start to groom her, so get into the habit of petting every single part of her body on a regular basis — including her ears, tail, tummy, back and also her paws.

The main rule is to be patient !!  If your cat is extremely stressed out by the grooming experience, stop it and try again later when she’s calmer.

Regular sessions with a brush or comb are a must to keep your cat’s fur in good condition.  Brushing helps to remove dirt and spreads the natural oils throughout her coat.  This helps to prevent tangles and keeps her skin clean and irritant-free.

Short haired cats need brushing once a week:  We recommend you use a strong comb to work through her fur from head to tail.  Next, use a bristle or rubber brush to remove dead and loose hair.  Always be careful near her tummy which is a delicate area and one she may not want you to linger on !!

Longer haired cats need to be brushed every day:  Start by gently combing her tummy area and her legs and make sure you gently untangle any knots.  Next, brush her fur in an upward motion with a bristle or rubber brush.  When brushing her tail, make a parting down the middle and then gently brush the fur out on either side.

If your cat’s coat becomes greasy and oily or if she’s managed to get coated in something sticky or smelly, she’ll probably benefit from a bath.

We all know that most dogs love a  bath, whether it’s in your own or whether they have a posh electric dog bath of their own.  However, most cats don’t like bathing, so you might want to involve another person to help with this process and remember to give your cat lots of cuddles, praise  and treats when the session is over.

After the brushing session, place a rubber bath mat into the sink or bath to prevent her from slipping and put about 3 or 4 inches of luke warm water into the bottom.  Gently place your cat in the water, giving her praise and strokes throughout.  Thoroughly wet your cat but take care not to get water directly into her ears, eyes or nose.  Gently massage in a mild shampoo that is suitable for cats and work it in from head to tail.  Thoroughly rinse avoiding the ears, eyes and nose and then dry your cat with a large towel.

At the end of session, provided you have handled your cat gently, carefully and with great patience, you should both feel pleased with the result. 

The Old English Sheepdog for instance, is a seasonally heavy moulter. He has a long, coarse coat and so regular and thorough grooming is needed to stop the formation of mats, tangles and skin problems.

As an example, an old English Sheepdog should be brushed at least three times per week the hair around his eyes and rear-end should be kept trimmed. A lot of owners prefer to have this breed machine-clipped every two months or so but more and more owners are grooming their own dogs using one of the dog grooming tables currently on the market.

Dachshunds come in three types – the long-haired, the wire-haired, and the smooth-haired. These are all average moulters, but long-haired and wire-haired Dachshunds require daily brushing and the wire-haired type should also be trimmed twice a year. A smooth-haired Dachshund should be regularly groomed using a damp cloth to rub down his coat and all three should have their ears checked regularly for signs of infection or inflammation. Again a dog grooming table is handy as you can easily check your little dog without having to bend double to get down to his height !!

Dog grooming tables are adjustable and so you can higher or lower them to suit your own height. Some dog grooming tables have wheels so that you can move them around to wherever suits your needs and the more expensive types are hydraulic or electric which makes life even easier !!

There are also some great doggy hair driers on the market – small portable ones which are handy in the home or the larger professonal types that come on a stand. They are available in black or in a variety of bright, quirky colours so they look chic wherever you decide to keep one. Once your dog gets used to the driers he will enjoy showing off his new look and because the driers are so quiet this won’t take long.

Not only was the dog underweight as it had not had the right type of food, but its coat was dirty and matted with faeces. The owners obviously either did not know or did not care that the dog was uncomfortable in this state. It was even reported that there were no dog beds in the house – it was used to lying on a pile of filthy rags in the corner of the room. it does make me wonder why some people bother to have animals in their homes. Just like children, animals need to be looked after and should be provided with a basic, adequate dog bed, some toys and some good dog food.

All dogs also need some type of grooming – just like us they benefit from a bath, having their hair brushed and generally being looked after. Not everyone can afford to take their dog to the dog groomers on a regular basis or even afford a dog grooming table but popping a small dog into a sink full of warm, soapy water, drying him off with a towel and then brushing or combing his hair is just basic care.

Lots of people are purchasing dog grooming tables for home use, rather than taking their pet to the dog parlours. If you know how to groom your dog yourself then this is an excellent idea and there are plenty of dog grooming tables on the market to suit all pockets. There are adjustable height dog grooming tables, tables on wheel for easy movement, hydraulic dog grooming tables and electric dog grooming tables. Whatever your price, you should be able to find one to suit your purse.