As passionate pet lovers, groomers, and dog show enthusiasts, we at Chris Christensen understand the importance of proper grooming techniques. Most seasoned groomers and dog show enthusiasts know this crucial rule but if you’re new here or welcoming a new dog into your home, there's a crucial rule to remember: never brush a dry coat. While the idea of swiftly running a brush through your pet's fur might seem harmless, doing so can cause more harm than good.
Here's why you should never brush a dry coat:
- Discomfort and Pain: Imagine someone trying to brush your hair when it's dry and tangled – it's uncomfortable, and it can even hurt! The same goes for our four-legged friends. Brushing a dry coat can pull and tug at knots and mats, causing unnecessary discomfort for your pet.
- Damage: Dry brushing can lead to breakage and damage to your pet's coat, especially if it's long or prone to tangling. This can result in a dull, lackluster appearance and even contribute to hair loss over time.
- Static Electricity: Dry brushing can create a buildup of static electricity in your pet's fur, making it more difficult to brush effectively. This static can cause individual hairs to stand on end, tangling and matting them further and making it harder to work through knots and mats. As a result, grooming sessions become frustrating and time-consuming for both you and your pet.
- Dryness: Static electricity is often more prevalent in dry environments. If your dog's coat becomes statically charged, it may be an indication that the air is dry, which can also contribute to dry skin and coat issues.
- Attracting debris: Statically charged fur not only matts faster but also attract debris such as dust, dirt, and dander, making the coat appear dirty and potentially exacerbating skin issues if these particles irritate the skin.
So, now that we’ve discussed why you should never brush a dry coat, what’s the solution?
Using a brushing spray is essential to provide the lubrication needed to let your tools work through the coat effortlessly, preserving the coat’s health and keeping your pet comfortable. If you’ve ever had a ring stuck on your finger, you know how difficult it is to remove without something to lubricate it. A little soap or lotion makes all the difference, helping the ring slide off easily without pain or struggle. The same principle applies to mats and tangles in your pet’s coat. Without lubrication, your brush or comb struggles to glide through, leading to tugging, pulling, and potential damage.
Enter Chris Christensen's line of brushing sprays: Ice on Ice Detangling Spray, Just Divine Brushing Spray, Bottoms Up Coat Lifter, and Precious Drop Leave-in Keratin Spray. These revolutionary grooming products are specially formulated to hydrate and condition your pet's coat, making brushing a breeze while ensuring their comfort and maintaining the integrity of the coat.
Grooming sprays can help lubricate the coat, reducing friction and static electricity. These sprays contain conditioning agents such as oils, proteins, or silicone derivatives that help smooth the hair shafts, making them less prone to static buildup. By keeping the coat well-hydrated and lubricated, grooming sprays can mitigate the effects of static electricity, making the coat more manageable and comfortable for the dog. Regular use of grooming sprays as part of a grooming routine can contribute to maintaining a healthy and attractive coat for your breed.
Ice on Ice Detangling and Finishing Spray
Our favorite and most popular detangling spray, say goodbye to stubborn knots and mats with Ice on Ice Detangling and Finishing Spray. The silicone in this spray creates a protective barrier that locks moisture into the shaft, protects the coat, and repels dirt, dust, urine and other pollutants. This powerful detangling spray instantly softens and loosens tangles, making them easier to comb out without causing discomfort to your pet(s). This brushing aid is especially great for Doodles and Poodles and other curly-coated breeds. Shop the entire Ice on Ice Collection here.
Use on these Coat Types: Doodles, Double Coats, Scissored Coats, or any breed going through a coat change.
Just Divine Brushing Spray
Infused with natural botanicals including soy and silk proteins, Just Divine Brushing Spray adds moisture to the coat, making it easier to brush through while leaving behind a heavenly scent. It gives life and fullness to the coat without buildup. Just Divine also helps break down product buildup.
Use on these Coat Types: All Coat Types except Drop Coats (it will add unwanted texture to the coat).
Bottoms Up Coat Lifter
Perfect for pets with sensitive skin, Bottoms Up Coat Lifter nourishes and hydrates the coat, reducing static and friction during brushing while also protecting the skin. We like to dilute this 8 to 1 in one of our Heavy-Duty Double Action Trigger Spray Bottles and spray 6-8 inches away all over when the dog is about 80% dry. Bottoms Up provides long-lasting volume that isn’t stiffy, heavy, or tacky.
Use on these Coat Types: Scissored Coats, Double Coats, and Wire Coats
Precious Drop Leave-in Keratin Spray
Achieve unparalleled control and elegance for your drop-coated breeds with Precious Drop Leave-in Keratin Spray. Infused with a perfect blend of keratin proteins and the calming essence of lavender blossom, this innovative spray produces soft, silky, and flowing coats that shine with brilliance. Its non-oily formula ensures the coat remains beautifully blended without separation, while reducing frizz, matting, and breakage. Designed for professional-grade results, Precious Drop is a concentrate that dilutes 16:1, making up to 2 gallons of luxurious grooming solution in every 16oz bottle. We recommend using our Exquisite Fine Mist Sprayer to deliver our Precious Drop Leave-in Keratin Spray to the coat.
Use on these Coat Types: Drop Coats and Setter/Spaniel Coats
Tips for applying sprays effectively:
- Spray from a Distance: Hold the grooming spray bottle about 6-8 inches away from your dog's coat to ensure even distribution without saturating the fur excessively.
- Divide and Conquer: Section your dog's coat into smaller portions to ensure thorough coverage. Lift up sections of fur and spray lightly, focusing on one area at a time.
- Spread Through: Use a slicker brush to distribute the spray evenly throughout the coat. This helps to ensure that the product is evenly distributed and not concentrated in one area.
- Avoid Sensitive Areas: Be cautious when spraying around your dog's face, ears, and eyes. Consider spraying the grooming spray onto your hands first and then gently rubbing it onto these delicate areas to avoid any discomfort.
- Use a Light Hand: Start with a small amount of grooming spray and add more as needed. It's easier to add more spray than to remove excess product from your dog's coat.
- Watch for Signs of Discomfort: Pay attention to your dog's body language. If they seem uncomfortable or agitated during the spraying process, stop and reassess your approach. Some dogs may not enjoy being sprayed directly, so you may need to find alternative application methods such as spraying onto your hands or a brush.
- Reward and Reinforce: To make the grooming process more enjoyable for your dog, offer treats and praise throughout the process. This positive reinforcement can help your dog associate grooming time with positive experiences.
By incorporating these Chris Christensen brushing sprays into your grooming routine, you're not only maintaining the health and beauty of your pet's coat but combatting static electricity and creating a smoother grooming experience for everyone involved. Remember, a well-groomed pet is a happy pet – and with Chris Christensen, grooming has never been easier or more enjoyable.