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Grooming your pets doesn't mean that they have
to be made-up and untouchable; it simply means that you're taking good
care of their health by keeping a watchful eye on their hygiene. Pets,
like humans, are more likely to remain healthy when they are clean and
well groomed. Contrary to popular belief, dogs and cats are not wild
animals; they require regular grooming attention to keep them healthy in
their domestic environments. One of the major benefits of a regular
grooming regimen is that you will become familiar with your pet's body.
This allows you to quickly recognize problems with his health, so you can
bring them to your veterinarian's attention sooner. Remember that you
should seek help from your veterinarian if you think that your pet will be
difficult to groom alone.
Basic brushing
Brushing your furred friend removes dead hair and skin, spreads out
natural oils in their coat, and helps keep them from developing an
odour. It is one of the simplest things you can do for your dog or cat,
but it is also one of the most necessary. A variety of brushes and combs
are available-make sure that you use one appropriate for your pet's
coat. How often you brush them depends on whether they have long or
short hair. For animals with short hair, a weekly brushing may be enough
to keep their coat in good order. Pets with longer locks require more
frequent sessions with the brush. And some breeds require daily
attention to keep their tresses in good condition.
Cats are well known for their exemplary grooming habits, but even
they need a weekly brushing. In fact, brushing your kitty is great for
his health because it helps prevent hairballs, keeping his digestive
track healthy. During shedding seasons, increase your brushing frequency
as needed to remove the excess dead hair.
Exceptional ears
Ears are a prime place for infection-keeping your little buddy's ears
clean is a great way to prevent illness. Regularly pick up his earflaps
and examine the inside. Make sure that they are a healthy pink colour.
If everything looks good, wipe the outer flap of the ear with a cotton
ball, being careful not to touch any part of the ear that you cannot
easily see. If you notice any symptoms (sensitivity to touch; brown,
black, or yellow discharge; foul odour; shaking or continuously tilting
head; or circling in one direction) take your pet to the veterinarian to
have his ears examined. Another option for cleaning the ears is to use a
liquid ear cleanser. But never use an ear cleanser on your pet if you
have noticed what could be a problem. The cleansers could cause severe
damage if your pet has an inner ear infection or if something has
damaged his eardrum.
Tip-top teeth
Routine dental care is essential to your pet's overall good health.
Approximately 80 percent of all three-year-old cats and dogs show some
sign of periodontal disease, characterized by a build-up of plaque and
tarter on their teeth above and below the gum line. This disease can
lead to gum infection and tooth loss. Your pet's poor dental hygiene is
much more serious than his embarrassingly bad breath-infected gums and
dirty teeth have been linked to kidney and secondary heart disease in
pets. For information on cleaning your pet's teeth, consult your
veterinarian. In addition to your home care, your veterinarian should
perform yearly dental check-ups on your pal; she will let you know when
you need to have your pet's teeth professionally cleaned.
Fantastic Feet
Many of our four-legged friends prefer not to have their paws handled,
making nail trimming especially traumatic for them. Like it or not, it
still must be done. Try touching his ears or paws when you praise him,
and before you know it, your little buddy will love to be handled in
those sensitive spots. Indoor cats should have their nails trimmed
occasionally whether they use a scratching post or not. Your dog's claws
should not ever extend so far that his nails come in contact with the
ground when he's standing normally on a flat surface. Nails this long
place unneeded stress on your pooch's paws, which in turn can lead to
foot problems. Be careful not to trim your pets nails too far down; you
could cut into the quick (the part of their nail which contains the
blood). If you should cut their nails too close, apply pressure or use
clotting powder to stop the bleeding. Make sure you use nail clippers
designed especially for animals. Cats, for example, have brittle nails
that can shatter easily, so it is best to use tools that are designed
for them. Here's an excellent strategy for those who hate the clippers:
only cut a nail or two in one sitting. Who said you have to do it all at
once? Spread it out over a few days and you'll lower the stress level
immensely.
Extraordinary eyes
Examine your pet's baby blues often to make sure that everything looks
good. You want to ensure that any abnormal conditions are noticed as
soon as possible so that your veterinarian can begin treatment
immediately. Be extremely careful with your pet's eyes during all parts
of the grooming process. You might consider applying protection, like
sterile ophthalmic ointment or drops, to your little buddy's eyes before
bathing. Dogs and cats have very sensitive eyes, and soap-even
"tearless" soap-can damage their corneas. Also, trim away any hair that
is falling into your animal's eyes so that it doesn't inflict damage.
Make sure to use blunt scissors (children's safety scissors are great)
when trimming the hair close to their eyes to minimize the chance of
injury.
Serious suds
The ever-popular "B" word-few animals feel that bath time is something
to celebrate. In fact, the majority of our pets probably dread a bath
more than anything else. Nevertheless, sometimes it is a necessary evil.
On the bright side, the more often you brush your friend, the less often
you will have to subject him to the dreaded bath-time experience. Here
are some basics to cover before putting your pet in the water. First,
always brush your pet thoroughly before bathing him. Any mats and
tangles that your pet may have will only get worse during the bathing
process, so take care of those problems in the beginning. Second,
protect your pal's ears by placing cotton inside them. This will avoid
getting soap in his ears, which could be painful to him. Make sure you
have everything you need where you can reach it. After your pal is wet
and unhappy, it will be much more difficult to leave him to retrieve the
shampoo. And finally, close off all escape routes. This will help you
avoid chasing a wet pet around the couch. You may consider putting a
towel or screen on the bottom of the tub or sink-if your furred friend
has a secured footing he will not be so upset.
Now you're ready to let the fun begin! Always use shampoo designed
especially for your animal. Human shampoo is not made for dogs and cats;
it can be harmful to their skin, drying it out and destroying their
natural oils. Lather him thoroughly, leaving his face until the end.
After you have washed him well, make sure that you rinse him just as
well, as leaving soap in his fur can irritate his skin. Towel your
little buddy off and rub him down. If he'll accept it, you can blow-dry
him. And then finish him off with a good brushing.
Though it might sometimes be a struggle to keep your furry pal in
clean condition, it's well worth it. Not only are you improving his
health, you're bonding with him in the process. Good grooming habits are
a must for any happy household!
Source; www.healthypet.com
Loraine Miller |
