How to Look After Your Shih Tzu’s Coat
Affectionate and loving, the Shih Tzu are ideal family companions, cherished for their small size, friendly temperament, silky and low-shedding coat. The Shih Tzu is a breed that requires a moderate amount of grooming; though less so if you keep the coat trimmed short. It is important that they are brushed regularly as to prevent any matting and tangles forming. In this blog post, I will share some top tips and expert advice on grooming your Shih Tzu to ensure they stay happy, healthy, and looking their absolute best.
Tara Murphy, Professional Groomer
Tara started working in Petmania in 2008 and has had many achievements along the way. She completed her City and Guilds Professional Dog Grooming exams and achieved a Diploma. Not too long after, she entered a IPDGA competition where she placed 4th in the Open Clipped Class. She is also a qualified Canine First Responder Instructor and delivers this class to groomers within Petmania. After working as a groomer for 7 years, she started the Petmania Grooming Academy in Petmania Kilkenny in 2015. Today she is an integral part of the Petmania Grooming Team.
Equipment Needed
Slicker brushes have thin bristles and are great for keeping your pet’s coat free of mats and tangles. They come in different types, so make sure to choose one that’s right for your pet’s age or breed. For example, a soft-tipped slicker brush is recommended for puppies because their skin is delicate.
Another essential grooming tool is the comb. Many pet owners have combs at home, and they’re suitable for all long-haired dogs or cats. After using a slicker brush, combing through a pet’s fur is a great final step to make sure there are no knots or tangles left.
Next up is the massage brush. It’s perfect for short-haired or thin-haired dogs and cats, especially when their fur is damp. The brush not only massages them, stimulating their oil glands, but also helps them relax and get used to grooming.
Grooming Your Shih Tzu At Home
Brushing
Brushing is an important part of keeping a Shih Tzu clean and tidy. Benefits of regular brushing include stimulating flood flow to hair follicles for a healthier coat, removal of debris (including irritants), distributing natural body oils for a strong coat and separating hairs to prevent tangles. Ideally brushing a Shih Tzu coat should be done on a daily basis, but a once over every other day is fine too. If you only have time to brush on a weekly basis, it is important to keep the coat short and spend extra time assuring that the entire coat is thoroughly de-matted.
When brushing, I recommend you divide your Shih Tzu’s coat into sections and work on one section at a time with your soft slicker brush. This will make it easier to ensure you comb through the entire coat thoroughly. Once you have brushed through the coat, use a metal comb to comb through the hair from the skin outward. This will help to catch any tangles or mats that the brush may have missed.
Bathing
A Shih Tzu needs a bath about once every 3 weeks, baring any incidents with muddy puddles. Too many baths can cause dry skin and not enough can lead to unpleasant smells and skin issues. So, it’s best to stay on a schedule and not veer far away from it.
Make sure to brush your Shih Tzu thoroughly before getting them wet, as water can make it more difficult to get any tangles and mats out.
Wet the coat thoroughly, then apply a small amount of shampoo to the dog’s back. Lather well, working downward and outward as you go. Clean your dog’s face, head, and ears with a washcloth, then rinse the coat completely. Repeat the whole process with canine conditioner if desired.
Towel-dry the coat, then continue drying with a hair dryer on its lowest heat setting, brushing the hair out with a pin brush as you dry. Finish by giving the coat another quick brush-through to make it look clean and neat.
Common Issues with Shih Tzu’s Coat
Susceptibility to Skin Issues
The shih-tzu’s long coat can be a trap for a wide variety of allergens. If your shih-tzu is experiencing allergies, you may notice itching, biting and scratching at the source of their discomfort. Additionally, hot spots, hair loss, dry flaky skin and rashes are all common skin reactions.
Skin allergies can occur anywhere on the shih-tzu, but you should keep a close eye on their eyes and muzzle, feet and paws and underside. Catching a skin reaction early can help prevent infection. When brushing your shih tzu, keep a feel out for any lumps, bumps or skin irritations that may cause comfort to your dog.
Recommended Treatments at our Grooming Studio
We’re here to help you with your dog’s everyday skin and coat care, and offer an extensive menu of treatments to help you find the one that suits your dog pawfectly. I recommend you bring your Shih-Tzu in for professional grooming every 4-6 weeks.
Especially for dogs with sensitive skin or those that suffer with hot spots, blemishes or irritations, our Skin Soothing Therapy Bath uses a specialist clay to soothe the skin and promote healing.
The natural healing properties of aloe vera, lavender and witch hazel help our specialist massage clay soothe the skin, instantly easing irritation and itching, while promoting healthy skin regeneration.
Book your dog
Appointments are available seven days a week nationwide so pop into our store if you have any questions about their at-home grooming routine or give us a call to book your pup in once they’re fully vaccinated. If you have any more questions about our care plan, treatments or just looking for the best product recommendations, our team would be more than happy to help in any way they can!
Shop Grooming
-
Dog, Dog Grooming, Dog Towels, Shop By Pet
M-PETS Bathrobe for Dogs
Price range: €14.99 through €24.99
