How to Groom a Pet Wolf

Wolves and wolf hybrids are extremely unpredictable and dangerous and should not be kept as pets. If you do have one of these creatures, be responsible and groom it yourself. Don't even consider taking a wolf to a groomer or public dog bathing facility and subjecting any one else to such unnecessary danger. Learn how to groom a pet wolf yourself by following these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Strong, Leather muzzle
• Pin brush
• Steel comb
• Matting rake
• Detangling solution
• Good brand of shampoo
• Conditioner
• Large bath towels
• High velocity professional hair dryer
• Rubber bath mat

1. Use coat conditioners and de-tangling solutions between baths and brush coat at least twice a week to remove wooly hair shed from the dense undercoat. Only bathe a wolf when absolutely necessary.
2. Put a muzzle on the animal before attempting to do anything! If a bath is absolutely necessary, have all the equipment assembled and ready. Bathe the wolf in a large tub or bathtub. Put a rubber mat or towel down in the tub so the wolf will not slip. The wolf will probably howl while being bathed.
3. Dilute a good brand of shampoo and use sparingly as it will be very hard to rinse the suds out of the wolf's coat. Scrub well and work shampoo down into the undercoat. Using a soft washcloth, wash the wolf's ears using some of the shampoo, then rinse washcloth and remove any excess shampoo from the ears.
4. Rinse coat well with lots of clean warm water. Rinse thoroughly until all shampoo has been removed.
5. Towel dry to remove as much water as possible. Use hair dryer and blow off all excess water. Continue to dry using a pin brush and brush hair up and toward head. Continue doing this until it is dry. You will need a professional, high velocity dryer to dry the thick coat and undercoat. Do not leave hair damp in humid conditions.
6. Brush if necessary when coat is thoroughly dry to remove any tangles. Do not attempt to cut the wolf's nails or do the anal glands.

Tips & Warnings

• Before attempting any brushing, bathing or grooming of any kind, always put a strong leather muzzle on the wolf.
• Only bathe a wolf when absolutely necessary.
• At any time during grooming or bathing if the wolf seems upset or starts getting aggressive, stop immediately and let him go off by himself. Do not force the animal to do anything.
• A wolf will probably howl during bathing. This does not seem to indicate a problem.
• Domestic dog vaccinations, including the rabies vaccine, do not work on wolves. Wolf bites and scratches are extremely dangerous to other animals and humans.