Shih Tzu grooming is a vital aspect of responsible pet ownership, ensuring your furry companion stays comfortable and healthy. In this blog, I’ll provide you with shih tzu grooming tips that are both easy to understand and professional, enabling you to master the art of pampering your pup. Whether you’re a seasoned pet parent or a novice, our concise guidance will help you transform your Shih Tzu into the epitome of canine elegance.
Shih Tzus are really cute pets that are super friendly and love to cuddle. They have a special look that needs to be taken care of by giving them baths and brushing their fur often. Some people choose to do this at home instead of going to a fancy grooming place to save money. Just remember also to trim their Hair and nails a little bit.
List of shih tzu grooming Tasks
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s understand the basic things you need to do and how often to do them. Here’s what you should do to keep your Shih Tzu looking lovely:
Every day: Clean their face and eyes.
Every 1 to 3 days: Brush their fur, depending on how long it is. Long fur every day, medium fur every 2 days, short fur every 3 days.
Every 3 weeks: Give them baths. If their skin or fur has issues, they might need more baths.
Every 6 weeks: Trim their nails.
When needed: Trim their fur based on how long you want it.
When needed: Take care of their paws and noses, especially in different seasons. If they have dry or peeling issues, you might need to do this 1 to 3 times a day.
When needed: Do quick wipe-downs as necessary.
Next, we’ll explain each of these things in detail and give you tips for specific situations.
Shih tzu grooming: Cut Shih Tzu Hair at Home With Scissors
Grooming your Shih Tzu at home can be a bit tricky, but with some patience and the right tools, you can give it a go. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started:
What You’ll Need for Shih tzu grooming at home
- Special dog grooming scissors
- A comb or brush
- Shampoo that’s safe for dogs
- Towels
- A quiet and comfy place for grooming
Shih tzu grooming at home: Step by step guide
1. Get Your Dog Ready: Start by giving your Shih Tzu a good bath. Make sure their fur is clean and doesn’t have any knots. Use dog-friendly shampoo and rinse well. Dry your dog with towels.
2. Brush Your Shih Tzu: Before you begin cutting, brush your Shih Tzu’s fur to get rid of tangles or mats.
3. Choose the Right Scissors: Use sharp and comfortable dog grooming scissors. Blunt scissors can tug on the hair and be uncomfortable for your dog.
4. Start with Small Trims:Begin with small, careful trims. Just cut a little at a time to avoid cutting too much.
5. Trim the Face:Be super careful when trimming around the eyes and ears. Use your fingers to hold the hair gently and trim carefully. You want to keep their cute face shape.
6. Trim the Body:For the body, start with longer cuts. Comb the hair in the direction it naturally grows and trim evenly. Avoid cutting too short because Shih Tzus have a double coat that helps them stay comfy.
7. Trim the Paws:Trim the hair on their paws to keep it neat and prevent slipping. Be really careful not to cut their skin.
8. Check Their Tail:Trim the hair around their tail to keep it clean and tidy.
9. Take Regular Breaks: Give your dog breaks to make sure they’re comfy and to avoid cutting too much at once. Offer treats and praise to keep them calm.
10. Watch Your Dog: Keep an eye on how your Shih Tzu is feeling. If they seem stressed or uncomfortable, take a break or stop the grooming session.
Remember that doing your Shih Tzu’s grooming at home might not be as perfect as a professional groomer, but it can help you keep their coat looking good between pro visits.
Get the right tools for shih tzu grooming
Before you start taking care of your Shih Tzu’s looks, you need the right tools for each step. Here’s what you should have:
- A soft cloth for their face to use every day.
- Brushes: a slicker brush, pin brush, and a two-sided metal comb.
- Good doggy shampoo and conditioner.
- A fluffy towel and a blow dryer on gentle heat.
- Stuff for cleaning their ears: special solution and cotton balls.
- A toothbrush and toothpaste for their teeth.
- Clippers or a grinder for their nails.
shih tzu grooming on face
Taking care of a Shih Tzu’s face is a gentle job. Here’s what you can do: softly brush their face to get rid of any knots. Use special grooming scissors to carefully trim the hair around their eyes, making sure it doesn’t block their view. Don’t forget to keep their cute face shape. When trimming around the ears and mouth, be extra careful for a neat look. Give your Shih Tzu treats and soothing talk to keep them relaxed. Take breaks so they stay comfy. Always remember, a well-groomed Shih Tzu face shows the love and care they get.
Pick how you want your Shih Tzu to look
The Shih Tzus you see at dog shows have those long, beautiful coats, often tied up on their heads. That’s called a “show coat.” But regular pet owners like you choose other styles:
- Puppy cut: This is short and neat, about an inch long, all over their body.
- Teddy bear cut: Like a puppy cut, but with fluffier Hair on their face, making them look like cute teddy bears.
If you want fur that’s an inch or more, let a groomer handle it. But if you like it shorter, you can use clippers. Just get the right blade size for the length you want.
Remember, if you go short, keep your Shih Tzu safe from the weather—use coats, sweaters, and stuff to protect your skin from sunburn or cold.
Bathe about once a month
Bath your Shih Tzu around once a month. Most Shih Tzus stay indoors, but they might have a little adventure now and then. Unless your dog gets really dirty or plays in nature, a monthly bath is usually enough. If your Shih Tzu has long Hair, you’ll need to wash and condition it. Use good shampoo without harmful stuff. Rub it down to the skin and rinse well. Conditioner is important, too—it makes brushing easier, prevents tangles, and keeps the fur soft and shiny.
Shih tzu grooming: Brush them frequently
Give your Shih Tzu’s fur some love by brushing it regularly. Even though their fur is fancy, it needs care to stay that way. If your dog has long fur like the ones you see at dog shows, you’ll need to brush and comb it every day to prevent tangles and knots. These can be painful and cause problems for your dog’s skin.
Use a special brush to gently untangle the fur, and then go over it with a comb to make sure it’s smooth. If you’re having trouble, ask a professional groomer for help. Be careful not to brush the same spot for too long, as it might irritate the skin. And please don’t use scissors to cut out tangles—it could hurt your dog.
If your Shih Tzu has shorter fur, like a puppy or teddy bear, you can brush it every few days or when it’s needed. No matter the fur style, remember to brush your whole body and check with a comb to make sure you didn’t miss any tangles.
Brushing your Shih Tzu often has lots of good effects:
- It gets the blood flowing and brings nutrients to the fur.
- It cleans up dirt and stuff.
- It spreads oils to keep the fur healthy and shiny.
- It stops hairs from getting all tangled.
Plus, you can also use a special spray while brushing that’s super helpful for their coat.
Make sure your Shih Tzu is completely dry
Make sure your Shih Tzu is completely dry after a bath. Their fur is thick with two layers, so use a soft towel to dry them well. If they have long fur, you can even use a gentle blow dryer, but be careful not to make it too hot or get close to their eyes.
For Shih Tzus with shorter fur, like a puppy or teddy bear, you can brush them every few days or when it’s needed. No matter how you groom their fur, remember to brush their whole body, including the tummy, face, legs, paws, and tail. And always check your work with a comb.
Shih tzu grooming: Teeth brushing
Taking care of your Shih Tzu’s teeth is important. If your dog has bad breath, it could be due to tartar or food stuck in their teeth. Don’t just rely on chew toys or hard food to clean their teeth. Start by using tooth wipes to get them used to you cleaning their mouth.
You can also use special dog toothbrushes and toothpaste that help remove plaque. Try to brush their teeth once a week and have a professional cleaning done by the vet once a year. Pay extra attention to the back teeth, and if you notice any problems, see the vet right away.
shih tzu grooming: Shih Tzu nail clipping
When you hear your dog’s feet making loud noises on the floor, it’s a sign to check their nails. Make sure their nails don’t get too long because it could hurt their feet when they walk. You can use a special clipper to trim their nails, but be really careful not to cut the sensitive part inside the nail. If you cut too much and your dog cries or starts bleeding, it’s not a good situation!
Shih tzu grooming: Trimming the Hair around the eyes
Cutting the Hair around your Shih Tzu’s eyes can seem tough, but it can be made simpler. Start by gently brushing their face with a soft brush or comb to get rid of tangles. Then, use scissors to trim the extra Hair around their eyes and ears.
Just be careful not to cut too close to avoid hurting them. After you’re done, brush out any leftover hairs to make them look neat!
Trimming Hair around the nose
Grooming the Hair around a Shih Tzu’s nose can be a bit tricky, but you can achieve good results with patience and practice. To do this, you can use scissors or clippers. First, brush your Shih Tzu’s fur to see where you need to trim. Then, use small scissors or clippers to remove extra Hair around the nose area carefully.
Be cautious not to get too close to avoid irritating your Shih Tzu. After you’re done, give their fur another brush to make sure there are no stray hairs left before they’re all set for cuddling!
Trimming the Hair on the cheeks and ears
Trimming the Hair on your Shih Tzu’s cheeks and ears is pretty simple.
Begin by brushing their fur to find any knots or tangles that should be untangled before you begin trimming.
Once the knots are gone, you can use scissors or clippers with a guard comb set to 1/4 inch for most breeds.
Start by trimming around their eyes, then work your way down to the nose, and finish along their jawline.
Remember not to trim too closely, as that might make your Shih Tzu’s skin uncomfortable.
Finally, take one last look to ensure everything is even before showing them lots of affection and treats!
Shih tzu grooming: Paw and Nose Care
Taking care of your Shih Tzu’s paws and nose is often forgotten, but it’s really important. Imagine which parts of your Shih Tzu are most affected by the weather – their nose and paws. These areas go through a lot.
In summer, the nose gets a lot of sun, while in winter, it can become dry and chapped due to the cold air.
The paws go through a lot as well. In summer, they walk on hot surfaces, and in winter, there’s freezing ground, chemicals from ice melt, and snow getting stuck between their paw pads. Throughout the year, tiny grains of sand can also bother their paw skin.
For your Shih Tzu’s nose:
- If their nose is dry, use a good nose balm.
- A quality balm will protect and heal it if it’s dry, peeling, or even cracked.
- Natural Dog Company’s Snout Soother is great; use it weekly. If there are cracks, applying it 3 times a day can help a lot.
- For your Shih Tzu’s paws:
- Use a good paw wax to protect them and help them heal if they’re dry or cracked.
- Musher’s Secret is a good choice; it’s not greasy, absorbs quickly, and can be used every 1 to 2 weeks or up to 3 times a day if there are issues.
These care steps will keep your Shih Tzu’s paws and nose healthy and comfortable.
Shih Tzu Grooming Tips
Remember these helpful hints:
- Don’t use regular shampoo. Pick dog shampoo for a gentle and soothing wash that keeps their coat nice and soft.
- Dry your pup well after a bath. Since Shih Tzus are small, they need to dry quickly to stay warm.
- Brush your Shih Tzu before bath time. Wet fur makes knots harder to untangle, so brush first to avoid a tangled mess.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering shih tzu grooming is a breeze with our straightforward shih tzu grooming tips. Your furry friend deserves the best care, and by following our guidance, you can keep your Shih Tzu’s coat in top-notch condition. By maintaining consistency in your grooming routine and applying the techniques we’ve shared, you’ll ensure that your beloved pup remains comfortable and healthy. So, click through the valuable advice in this blog and embark on a journey to pamper your Shih Tzu like a pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve noticed my Shih-Tzu’s body hair is falling out. What should I do?
Hair loss can happen for various reasons, like diet, allergies, stress, and more. It’s a good idea to visit the vet or talk to them on the phone to figure out the cause and get the right advice.
I’ll be getting a Shih Tzu in around a month and a half. What should I do to get ready?
You’ll want to have grooming brushes (a slicker brush is great for long Hair), poop bags, a crate, dog bed, food bowls, a few toys, a mat for their food, and choose a vet you’ll visit.
How often can I bathe my Shih Tzu?
Bathe your dog about once a month. If you bathe them too frequently, their skin will become dry. You could probably do it every three weeks if your dog gets really dirty.
Can you bathe a dog with baby shampoo?
You should not use baby shampoo on a dog regularly because humans and canines have a different number of layers of skin and differing PH. Human shampoo, even baby shampoo, can be very drying for a dog, even when gentle on human skin. Puppies should get used to being groomed and handled all over from about 8 weeks old.
What can I use to get the staining around my white Shih Tzu’s eyes off?
Use a wet washcloth or cotton ball and gently wipe the stains off. If that does not work, then use wipes that are specifically meant to help get rid of stains around your dog’s eyes. Ask your vet for them.
