|
 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.
Routine dental care is essential
to your pet's overall good health.
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.
Dogs and cats have very sensitive eyes and soap,
even "tearless" soap-can damage their corneas
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 |
