Why It's Important To Groom Your Dog and Cat

By: Laurie Brzostowski

Most people think of grooming as a luxury.  Far from it.  Grooming is important to their health and happiness.

My dog actually likes going to the groomer and making sure that your dog can actually handle grooming is something you need to start when they are very young.  They need to be able to accept brushing, bathing, nail clipping etc., so get them used to being groomed at a very young age.

Keeping your pet well groomed not only makes for a clean-smelling companion, it also helps keep your dog more comfortable and allows you to spot health problems before they become serious, or even life-threatening.

Matted Fur:  Have you ever had your hair in a ponytail that was just a little too tight? Maybe your hair was just bunched up or stuck together? A mat can feel the same way to your dog or cat — a constant pull on the skin. Try to imagine those all over your body, and you have an idea how uncomfortable an ungroomed coat can be.  Regular grooming also allows you to look for lumps, bumps and injuries, all while clearing mats and ticks from the coat. Follow up with your veterinarian on any questionable masses you find, and you may detect cancer early enough to save your pet's life. 

 

A Cleaner Home: Grooming removes loose hair, dandruff, and any particulates in your animal’s fur, preventing them from dropping off around your house. It can also help prevent triggering allergies, if you or someone in your household has them. Animal hair and dandruff are also a main component of dust and grooming your pet can help cut down on the amount of dust as well!  

Nail Clipping: When a cat or dog’s nails are left untrimmed, several things can happen. The nail can break or tear off, a painful experience for the animal. Ingrown nails can become infected, as can split claws. If you don’t feel comfortable cutting your pet’s nails yourself, take them to a grooming salon in your area.  I am not comfortable cutting my own dog's nails so we make a trip to the groomer every few months.

Ears and Teeth: Both dogs and cats can get ear mites, small parasites that manifest as black dots in the ear. Dogs are more amicable to having their teeth brushed than cats, and are also more prone to gum diseases like gingivitis. If your animal’s breath is not appealing, brushing its teeth can help remove any plaque buildup and freshen up your dog's breath.  

If you can do all of these above in your own home, that is wonderful.  If you aren’t able to do any type of grooming in your home, for whatever reason, find a reputable groomer in your area.  I take my dog twice per year to a groomer in April and August for a full grooming and I take him into the groomer every 3 months for nail clipping.

Making sure your pet is happy and healthy is your job as a pet parent, so make your grooming appointment as soon as you can.

can keep your home cleaner. Grooming removes loose hair, dandruff, and any particulates in your animal’s fur, preventing them from dropping off around your house. It can also help prevent triggering pet-related allergies, if you or someone in your household has them. Animal hair and dandruff are also a main component of dust and grooming your pet can help cut down on the amount of dust as well! - See more at: http://www.healthypawspetinsurance.com/blog/2011/08/15/how-to-keep-your-pet-healthy-grooming/#sthash.naVfz54H.dpuf

It can keep your home cleaner. Grooming removes loose hair, dandruff, and any particulates in your animal’s fur, preventing them from dropping off around your house. It can also help prevent triggering pet-related allergies, if you or someone in your household has them. Animal hair and dandruff are also a main component of dust and grooming your pet can help cut down on the amount of dust as well! - See more at: http://www.healthypawspetinsurance.com/blog/2011/08/15/how-to-keep-your-pet-healthy-grooming/#sthash.naVfz54H.dpuf

How to Make Bath Time Enjoyable for You AND Your Dog

Uh oh, it’s that time of the week again – bath time. You quietly groan to yourself as you look over at your dog, lying happily on the living room carpet, chewing a favorite toy. He detects your gaze and looks up at you, tail thumping happily on the floor. “He can go another week without bathing, right?” you ask yourself. After all, he’s not that stinky.

Then you remember the way he smelled after coming in from the rain yesterday. 

You sigh. It’s time.

You go to the bathroom and start preparing the necessities – shampoo, conditioner, towels, everything. You plug the tub and start the water running. And then you walk back to the living room. Your dog is still chewing his toy, and looks up at you as you enter. Is it just you, or is his tail wagging a little more slowly now? Is that a suspicious glint in his eye?

You fetch the dog treats and shake the bag. He’s up and at your side in a split second, begging the best he can. With a slightly evil grin, you continue shaking the bag and talking to him as you walk to the bathroom. You’re almost there!

Just a little further…

He’s in! 

You give him the treat and slam the door shut. There’s no escape now!

For the next half hour, you are locked in battle. Keep him in the tub, rub him all over with the shampoo and conditioner, catch him as he tries to escape, “No, don’t shake!” By the end, you, your dog, and the bathroom are soaking wet. And certainly no one is happy.

If you are a dog owner, you are most likely intimately familiar with this ritual. Unpleasant as it is, you press forward, because you know that aside from helping him or her smell better, bathing is essential to maintaining your dog’s health. According to vets from Vancouver animal hospitals and all over the country, it keeps their coat soft and their skin healthy, and gets rid of dirt and parasites.

Fortunately, bath time doesn’t have to be a time of dread for you or your dog. You can train your dog to enjoy his or her baths as much as you do your own.

•  Ideally, bath time training should start young, as soon as you bring them home. But if your dog is already an adult, there’s still hope. You can teach an old dog new tricks – it just might be a little harder.
•  Show your dog that the bathroom is a place for playtime. At first, give them time to be in the bathroom and get used to this environment. Play with them in the bathroom, outside the tub. Then do it in the tub, without water. When you add water, give your dog time to play in it and gain a positive association with being wet. Just like with bathing children, toys can make bath time a lot easier.
• Be sure to use only slightly warm water, the same temperature you would use for a baby. On a similar note, turn up the thermostat before bath time so the bathroom air will be nice and warm after your dog gets out. You don’t like cold air, and neither does your dog!
• Put down a nonslip mat so your dog doesn’t have to be slipping and sliding everywhere in the tub. Giving them a grippy surface to stand on them helps them be more comfortable and less scared.
• Before getting wet, put cotton in the dog’s ears to prevent water from getting in. Have you ever watched your dog drag his ears on the ground after bath time? Dogs do this for a reason – their ears get wet and uncomfortable during baths, and dragging them is how they attempt to get them dry again.
• Use only dog-specific shampoo and conditioner. Believe it or not, products made for humans have a different pH, which can end up irritating canine skin. Additionally, you may have to experiment with scents, as dogs have preferences just like humans
• Instead of making bath time playtime, you can also turn it into a spa-like environment for your dog to relax in. Turn on some soft, calming music and give your dog a gentle massage along their spine. As you practice, you will be able to recognize and address their tight spots. However, make sure to also do it quickly. Baths can only be relaxing for so long.
• Finally, use treats liberally for positive reinforcement during and after the bathing experience. However, only give treats for good behavior. Speak to them in soft, happy tones, and whatever happens, stay calm.

You can turn bath time into a pleasant experience. With regular baths, you can have a cleaner dog, a better relationship, and fewer trips to the vet. Maybe you’ll even start to look forward to bath time! 

…Maybe.

Author Byline:
Victoria Ramos studied business and now blogs about developments in the field, as well as her other interests. She loves shopping, socializing, writing, and her dogs Laurel and Hearty. She gets a lot of advice from Central Animal Emergency Clinic.

5 Reasons Your Dog Needs a Dog Walker!

By:  Laurie Brzostowski

When my dog Sebastian was a puppy, it was really hard taking care of him as I was single, living alone and working a full time job. I remember having to come home every day at lunch to let him out.

Back then in the year 2000, I had never heard of dog walkers or pet sitters or anything of that sort.  Now that I am the Owner of Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care - Round Lake, I completely understand what people go through when they get a puppy or work long hours or have a senior pet that may need some extra time outside during the day.

There are a lot of reasons to get a dog walker.  I am going to the list the top 5 reasons to get a dog walker for your doggie.

1. Puppy!  Did you just get a new puppy?  Puppies really need to be on a consistent schedule throughout the day so they can become house trained.  Leaving a new puppy alone for long periods of time will cause your new puppy and you a lot of distress.  Your puppy needs to be let out during the day while you are at work.  Getting a dog walker for that time period will allow you to relax and your puppy will get the needed potty break, exercise and playtime required to help him grow into a great doggie.
2. Long Hours!  Do you work long hours?  Most household's now are averaging 50+ hours per week.  This means your doggie is at home for at least 10-12 hours at a time.. sometimes more.  This can be hard on your doggie.  They miss you when you are gone.  They get bored when you are gone.  Some dogs retaliate by getting into big trouble when you are not there.  Chewing on the furniture, potty accidents throughout the house, etc.  Getting a dog walker mid-day for your doggie will get him or her outside on a walk for some exercise and some love and companionship while you are at work.  Break times are good for everyone.
3. Senior Pet!  Do you have a senior pet?  I currently have a 13-1/2 year old Yellow Lab.  He is definitely showing signs of aging with incontinence issues, arthritis etc.  I am lucky as I work from home but just like a puppy, if you work away from home and long hours your senior doggie may be suffering.  Getting a dog walker to let him out mid-day will give him relief and also love and companionship.
4. Weather.  Did you have an awful winter?  We had an awful winter up here in Northern Illinois.  A lot of people were late getting home due to the weather, or were not able to get home for lunch to let your dogs out, etc.  Getting a dog walker when the weather is awful is the best thing for your doggie.  They will get their potty break during the day, along with playtime and you can relax knowing that you don't have to rush home in a blizzard to let your dog out.
5. Separation Anxiety.  Does your dog suffer from Separation Anxiety?  My doggie was awful when he was younger.  He hated when I left for work each morning.  He would actually sit on my shoes so I couldn't put them on.  Some dogs can get very destructive if they suffer from SA and they don't mean to be bad doggies, they are just very upset that their companions have left them behind.  Getting a dog walker during the mid-day will get your doggie outside for some much needed exercise along with lots of love and attention.  Having a dog walker long term will actually relieve and lessen the SA over time.

So, go ahead and get that puppy, work longer if you need too and don't feel bad about the weather.  Get a dog walker.. we are here to help you !