Pet Grooming promotes skin health, assists with shedding, and creates trust with your pet through handling.Grooming your dog or cat can be a rewarding experience through building a bond and a trust in handling your pet in any situation. With proper skin care through excellent grooming practices you can prevent many skin ailments.
Hair..... Hair.... Everywhere
Pet owners get overwhelmed when it comes to their pet's hair flying around the house. There can be many reasons for what seems to be an endless shedding of the coat of which we will cover a few of them here.
The most common reason for your pets need to shed comes twice a year and is subject to our daylight hours.
Many dog and cat owner's think they shed because of change in temperature, but this is not the case. Shedding is dictated by the length and shortening of how many hours of daylight we gain and lose over the year. As our days get longer this signals your pet to begin the process of blowing their coat, releasing the heavy undercoat and bringing in the new lighter summer coat, comprised mostly of outer guard hairs and very little downy undercoat. As our days grow short again, our pet sheds once more in the summer, losing old undercoat and guard hairs showing signs of a much heavier and thicker texture to the winter coat. So our daylight hours will bring about the shedding process in your pet's coat, not the weather. Temperatures of where you and your pet reside will only dictate how thick their coat will be.
Tip: Some pet owner's may notice for the pet who lives in the house, this process seems to go on all year. There is a good reason for this; in your home artificial light replaces our daylight during our shorter days in the winter. With this simulation occurring your dog or cat's internal clock cannot adjust to this artificial creation of longer days. If you have a house pet, then just groom them more often since this is to be expected if you want your pet to be a part of the family since there is no way around biology. Please don't banish your fuzzy friend to the outdoors just because of this small problem.
Another reason for what seems to be ongoing shedding can be related to hormone levels in female dogs (Dam or Bitch) and cats (Dam or Queen), since typically after a delivery of puppies or kittens they tend to blow their coats soon after, giving them an extremely scruffy appearance. Depending on the delivery timeframe, you may have to live with this poor quality of coat until the daylight hours change, bringing about the onset of re-growth for that time of year.Improper nutrition can also be a cause of constant shedding with a contributing factor to some underlying skin problems due to allergens in the food.
Airborne allergens or toxins found in soil, and your pet comes in contact with that substance and then has an ongoing reaction, will also cause consistent shedding problems through skin irritations.
Bottom line, in most of these causes for shedding there is not a whole lot a pet owner can do about it except practice good grooming habits on your dog or cat. In the case of allergens and poor nutrition, these can be corrected if one has a mind to and sets off on what can be a unending quest of determining which of these problems your pet has and set about correcting it.
With excellent grooming habits you can speed up the shedding process and reduce fly away hair from inside your home. Plus, you will gain a bonus here of warding off any other problems you might locate during a grooming session, such as a skin growth, tangled knot, a conspicuous lump, rash, puncture, cut or abrasion and eczema or dermatitis. If any one of these problems remained unchanged and were allowed to fester through improper grooming, you and your pet will be taking a trip to the Veterinarian's office. A problem that goes unchecked can become far worse than it needed to be if it had only been discovered earlier during a bath, clipping or brushing. Good Grooming habits for your pet are far more important than just making your pet look beautiful!
Oh My Gosh.....Was That A Hairball
For those of you who just love to receive the gift that only a fur person can give, the regurgitated hairball sticking to the bottom of your bare foot as you climb from your bed or enter the bathroom in the middle of the night, grooming your cat can be the way to a hairball free zone.
As cat owners know, our furry friends are extremely fastidious in keeping themselves well groomed without much adieu. These creatures are extremely independent and lead you to believe they don't need our help. Only to the contrary. Not only are hairballs messy and can bring about gag reflex in the one who gets to pick it up, but can create far worse problems for your cat.
The hairballs we find are a good sign since this means your cat got it up and out as hair is not meant to be ingested on purpose. When the cat is unable to regurgitate this wad of fur, they can become quite constipated, vomit their food, and become quite cranky due to the complication of the hairball traveling through their system. Though typically not life threatening to the cat, it just makes their life harder and a constipated cat is no fun to have around.
You can get a hairball elixir from your Vet or from a grooming supply company to feed from your finger. Most Felines love the taste and will eat it readily. Some even provide some nice nutrients in proteins and skin conditioners. This will create a softer stool and your cat will be able to pass the hairball without incident. This elixir is also a nice preventative from future hairballs.Though hairballs occur mostly in long hair cats, it seems short hairs can be prone to them as well depending on the level of undercoat shed at certain times of the year. So again, as a preventative, groom your cat regularly, especially during those times of seasonal shedding.
Long Haired Versus Short Haired
When it comes to dog's they are no exception to furry problems. They too can become obsessive about licking themselves for cleanliness. However, this is not a character trait born to dogs. If you have a dog that licks excessively, they are not grooming themselves necessarily, but are dealing with a far greater issue, such as allergies, skin inflammation (Hot Spots) or irritation, infection, wound, foreign object or a type of dermatitis. This should be determined as quickly as
possible by a Veterinarian if it continues. Remember, nutrition can be an underlying cause to skin problems.Long haired varieties of dogs should be groomed a bit almost every day to keep tangles at bay and prevent that tangle from growing tighter against the skin creating poor air circulation and a fungus or wound to follow. Afghan Hounds, Setters, and some Spaniels for example have
very long, sleek hair and these can get tangled over time if not tended to. Sheep Dogs, have a dense undercoat so instead of the typical tangle of an Afghan Hound, they can get badly matted hair as can Shelties, Maltese, Collies, Chows to name a few. Through proper bathing and brushing of hair and coats, many skin problems can be prevented.Short haired varieties should not be ignored when it comes to brushing. Though this seems unnecessary to groom these dogs, they too still need frequent bathing and cleaning of their skin. Shampooing removes debris and irritants from the skin. While brushing helps to stimulate their skin and stimulate the oils to their freshly washed coat.
Some coarser coated breeds of dogs are groomed with a method known as stripping the coat by some owners. This gives a natural appearance to the coat instead of it looking sheered off. Schnauzers, Bouviers, and some Terriers to name a few are done this preferred way by their owners, however it can be time consuming, but the achieved affect is natural beauty. (Stripping can be painful when done incorrectly, so do not attempt without proper instruction to avoid blisters on the skin and pain for your dog.) Many of these types of breed shed very little due to the clipping and stripping of their coats. If you want a
dog that absolutely won't shed and have been known to be hypoallergenic for people with allergies, are the poodle breeds: standard, toy, and teacup. Plus you can achieve a wonderful coiffed look!Grooming your dog consistently will create a well being in your pet and promote good skin and coat condition with the added bonus of skin health prevention. Dog's are quite fond of
grooming by their owners.Prevention Of The Hissy Fit
Nobody wants to deal with a yowling cat or a whining dog when it comes to bath time. If your pet is not fond of this quality time together then you may end up with a pet that is none too happy.. ..awww look at that face.
In some cases if your pet is just too unruly to handle, then your only alternative may be professional grooming. This is especially true in breeds of dogs who require a certain clip or style to the coat for their breed type to show off at it's finest.
Choosing the right groomer is just as important as it is for finding a Vet. References can be helpful in this instance. If you are unsure of the local groomer or your animal seems to become unduly stressed over such a premise as a shampoo and dry, then taking them to a groomer who is in partnership with a Veterinary hospital might be the best choice. There they can receive a mild sedative under Vet supervision if need be.In any case, proper rearing and training of your pet from the beginning can prevent such antics at bath time if introduced correctly and at a young age. Introducing anything weird or different to your pet is best done slowly and methodically. And there are many dogs and cats that actually love the water.
Tip: For instance, don't bathe your dog or cat with hose water, and don't immerse them in a full tub of water.
Hose water is cold and how would you like taking your shower in cold water unless it is for the obvious reasons? Overheated!
Hose water should be reserved for those scalding days and in most cases for dogs and
where you can make a game out of playing in the spray of the hose. Don't ever aim directly at your pet with the hose until such time as they come to enjoy it or you need to break up a fight.A full tub of water is foreboding to an animal since they cannot determine where the bottom of the tub is. To them they feel as though they must swim to save themselves, thus beginning the onset of panic.
Tip: For tub bathing place your pet in an empty tub or sink (small dogs) on a rubber mat for slippage control. Never allow your pet to slide around inside the tub. This will instill fear and make for a messy bath-time.
Once in the tub, you can begin by filling the tub with warm water, not hot. Treat their skin like a baby infants when it comes to water temp. As the water fills, their feet will still be grounded and the water will fill in around them. While it is filling begin placing the water across their back with some kind of pitcher talking to them all the time, soothingly.
A hand held shower nozzle can be an invaluable asset during bath time. Never make bath time an exciting time or a play time. This is an excellent time to practice some obedience for dogs and a time to teach calm to a cat. Go slowly during this new process and you will have an animal that may not fall in love with bath time but will come to understand it as a necessity of a time spent together doing something healthy for your cat or dog.Just remember one thing, no matter how much handling your pet may have
had, plan on getting soapy and wet yourself. This cannot be avoided. And if you don't mind a little nudity between friends, take the bath with your pet since then it won't matter how many times they shake off that water which is typically done at the most inopportune time. Being in the bath with your pet can also give you the greatest control over them instead of having to lean over the tub rail.Proper Grooming Supplies Relieve Stress
Having proper equipment is always important. Never begin bath time until you have everything you need at your fingertips.
- Your skin conditioning shampoo (this should be specifically made for dogs or cats, no people stuff)
- your cream rinse for long haired dogs to assist with those pesky tangles.
- Eye ointment for protection from soap.
- Cotton balls for the insides of the ears.
- Curry mitt for loosening up the shedding hair.
- Lots of towels along with a Scooby snack.
- Most importantly, for hanging onto your dog have a collar and a heavy terry towel for your cat during bath time.
Kitty Tip : The terry towel is an excellent way to grab and hold your cat when wet. Some cats will make this time seem like you both are going to hell and back and they will show their disdain by ripping the flesh down to the bone or shred the shower curtain as though it went through a paper shredder in a blink of an eye. The towel will save both of you undue injury and stress. In some cases of cat bathing make sure you are strong enough and agile enough to take on the cagey feline.Protect yourself from your cat's nails at all costs. Though not meaning to, they can inflict serious injury during a ritual that they think is going to be the death of them. In some cases it is best to take your cat wrapped inside the towel like a sausage with the fold over the back. Allow the water to seep through the towel until your cat is wet and calm and you can begin washing on top by releasing the towel a bit. Most cats, once wet and realize they did not drown will calm down for the remainder of the bath. Always be prepared for the "changing of the mind" mad dash to freedom and they use your scalp for the launch pad.
Purebred love of bath time: If you are lucky enough to own a Maine Coon or a Bengal, then you have it a lot easier than other cat owners, since they have been known to enjoy water, especially running water. Some mixed breed cats with these descendants can
also become fond of water. For the cat who loves to be in the water and go for a swim, then the Turkish Van is your cat and you can forget everything you have just read for dealing with safe bathing for you and your cat. This cat will race you to the tub.Make sure the lids are open on all the bottles so you have a hands free application during the bathing process. The last thing you need to be doing is fighting with the lid on one of the bottles only to have your dog or cat slip away from your grasp and now you're soaking wet pet has begun the task of turning your home into a giant shower stall and your furniture their sponge. Good
luck getting them back in the tub afterwards, too.When shampooing, avoid getting soap into the eyes and ears. The mineral oil ointment should protect against irritation and the cotton balls will keep out most of the water as long as you aren't saturating their face.
Tip: When bathing save their head for last and aim their face down towards the water so it sheets off their face. Never spray up and into the face. Your pet will not appreciate it and can simulate drowning to the animal. Do you enjoy water
up your nose?To protect water from getting into the ears another way, take hold of one ear at a time and gently twist it shut toward their nose, (and I do mean gently), as you poor water over this part of the head, this will close off the ear canal and prevent more water from entering and soaking the cotton balls. They are a preventative for water entry, but if soaked through, they then offer little protection. For tiny eared dogs, you can press the ear flap over with your thumb and achieve the same effect. Or in their case use large wads of cotton. Also if the cotton does get soaked, change it frequently during the bath.
During the grooming process of drying the coat and combing or brushing the tangles free, you also want to keep a collar on your pet in order to keep them close during the process.
Towel drying is greatly enjoyed by dogs and they love the rubdown and the stimulation of blood to soothe their itchy skin. This can also keep them from attaching their soaking wet body to the sides of your couch.
Cats just feel like you're putting them through some kind of torture. Even after
the rubdown they will still sidle away flicking their back feet at you as though they just stepped in something sticky and then proceed to lick themselves clean as though you have done nothing for them at all.Blow drying the coats can be enjoyed by your dog and cat alike. It just depends on how you introduce it. Always begin on the lowest setting reducing the noise and airflow. Remember to be mindful of the heat setting and placing the dryer too close to their skin. Otherwise you could burn them unwittingly. Brushing while drying can help the animal resist running away due to the sheer pleasure of the brushing out. Curry mitts are wonderful for this process. Gradually increase the drying process as they become used to it.
If all else fails for them to sit still during the drying out process then a crate is the next best thing for getting them dry. Cloak it in towels and place the animal inside on a lush terry towel, directing the blow dryer into the crate at an angled position. Do not chase your cat or dog around the crate by blowing it full force at them directly. This will only make matters worse. By covering all the vents the air circulation from the dryer will do the job. The environment will be pleasantly warm for your pet.
Suggestion: Make sure when using a blow dryer you use a professional model. Decibel noise from a cheap dryer can be unpleasant to your pets hearing. Low noise factor is important for the experience to be pleasurable.
When all the drying is done, pay close attention to ears and dry them some more with an absorbent paper towel wrapped around your finger or more cotton for swabbing. You will be amazed at the gunk that can come out of your pet's ears.
At this time clip your dog or cats nails as they will still be soft from the bath, making them easier to trim. Make sure you have a nice sharp set of nail clippers.
At first, if still learning how to trim your pet's nails, just remove the very tips at first, watching for the quick of the nail. It is much easier to see in a white to opaque toenail. If your dog has black nails you will have to shave the nails gradually after snipping the very tip, until a tiny pale pinkish core begins to show inside the nail. Once you see that, stop clipping. A tiny trace of blood is acceptable, if you can get that close. If you should nick it good and it starts bleeding, a good styptic powder will stop it and prevent infection. These powders are available at any grooming supply, Veterinarian or pet outlet and you should keep it on hand just in case. However, try to avoid nicking this when trimming otherwise it will be a fight trying to get your pet to sit still for it in the future since it hurts when cut.
New Tool: Now there is an item called Peticure and it is a tool designed to file the nail down instead of clipping it. Although this could be a great alternative for those who are nervous about using clippers, it does have a downside.
- Grinding noise or whirring from motor makes your pet nervous
- Can cause a burning smell your pet won't like, may require acclimation
- Constantly needs refills as pads wear out
- Tends to break, requires some careful handling
- Can't get nails as short as one might like due to opening where nail is inserted
Tip: Don't worry about puncturing your dog or cat's eardrum since their ear canals are not designed like ours. They take a sharp turn into the head and this is where the eardrum can be found, neatly tucked out of the way of poking fingers. Still be careful however in case of infection or sensitivity to touch. In most cases your dog especially will think he went to doggy heaven when you clean those puppies out.
Tip: Don't bathe your dog more than every other week unless directed by a Vet for some skin ailment. Bathing is for cleaning and over cleaning creates it's own set of problems. In the winter time once a month is best. And where cats are concerned, four times a year is sufficient, with once per month being acceptable, unless again treating for a parasite or infection of some kind and only under a Vets care.
Tip: When trimming toenails on your dog, especially large breeds, placing them on their back seems to assist with calm since this is considered the submissive position for them while you squat or stand over them. (Just beware of the old butt boost from the back feet while working on the front feet.)
Caution: If you are not identified as top dog in your household, this is not recommended. Forcing a dog who might actually hold and "Alpha" position in your home can become dangerous in this position and you have a more severe problem than getting their nails trimmed. Also many dogs are more sensitive to you trimming the front paws nails than the
rear. Nail trimming goes smoother this way rather than having them sit. Pulling back comes to mind in this position and tug of war with pooch is exhausting and can cause an accidental over cut to the nail.And for cats, well keep your Terry towel handy and pull one leg out at a time while keeping Kitty snug as a bug in a rug, and your arms free from the other three feet locked and loaded for slashing.
Grooming your pet can be a wonderful experience depending on the time and energy you wish to commit to it. When introduced correctly and with patience your pet will come to look forward to this time with you. In fact they may come to love it so much you could find them racing you to the tub waiting for the pleasure to begin.
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