Grooming You to Groom Your Pet

I go to the hair salon every six weeks for a two-hour long process of coloring and cutting that keeps me looking like the truly awesome person that I am.  I don't just mention this because I am vain, but because I'm honest about the ridiculous amount of upkeep some of us prescribe for ourselves.  It costs much less time and money to do the same for our pets, so please take the time regularly bathe and groom them.

Ninja Turtle Poodle!  (Cracked.com)

For the small breed dog, many pet stores and animal-specific grooming parlors offer such services for your friend.  At All Pet Supplies, they charge around $25-35 for breed-specific "hairdo" that may so desire.  With this fee, they bathe, brush and cut your pet to perfection.  Many grooming places offer a simple wash, dry and toenail cut for a minimal fee, too.

For those of us who don't have the funds for this, I would like to recommend a few grooming tools for different coats that will make the experience worthwhile for you and Rover (or cat-Rover):

Valuepetsupplies.com

1.  Short-haired dogs:  There is a brush called a Zoom Groom that has just about changed my life.  It's a small rubber brush that can be used on wet or dry fur.  What it does is pull on all of the loose hair that are no longer connected to the skin.  These are all of the obnoxious hairs that will endlessly litter your living room.  Using this brush once or twice a week outside on Frankie has reduced his shedding more than any food or shampoo could ever do.

Leerburg.com

2.  Long-haired dogs:  Any simple "raking" comb works wonders.  Most long-haired dogs (and even water-intended dogs like Labradors) have a thick, woolly undercoat that makes their appearance bushy and unkempt.  This rake is about the only thing that will penetrate the undercoat and pull out the loose hairs while untangling the rest of the coat.  Aces.

3.  Cats:  Ollie is medium-haired, but I still use the rubber brush on her.  Cat generally hate to be brushed, but rubber spines massage her while the process is going on, so she usually ends up purring and rolling over.  I also use a fine-toothed comb (great for untangling wiry-coated dogs like Jack Russells) to pull out tangles in her armpits and tail. 


When you bathe them, use a shampoo (I love Pet Head) that contains oatmeal to sooth their skin and keep it from drying out.  One the includes lanolin, too, helps with a shiny coat.  For white dogs, there are also brightening shampoos that help bring out the natural color and keep the white from yellowing too quickly.  Though there are many to choose from, I don't often waste my time using a conditioner while they are still in the tub.  Instead, I buy a detangling spray and spritz while brushing. 

Unless you have particularly messy dogs, you shouldn't bathe them more then two or three times a month.  Their ph-Balance is different than humans, so it takes a lot longer for the oils to build back up in the skin.  If you bathe too often, you will end up with a dried out, itchy, miserable mutt.  

He thought he was completely hidden...

As for nail trimming?  I won't tell you it's easy because Frankie acts like we are going to execute him every time the clippers come out, but it is possible.  Some dogs will lie calmly and let you go at it, but even then, you need to know what you are doing.  No matter how long their nails are, the nerve (or quik) grows with it.  Therefore, cutting them too short may result in a a gusher.  For animals with clear nails, you can see the quik, so don't cut past it.  For animals with black nails, use a careful precision and a prayer.  

Follow these guidelines, use the tools and enjoy your pet!

Where My Toys At?

Because our four-legged friends are gives us unlimited amounts of entertainment, I think it's only fair that we give back a little.  The way to go?  Toys.  Companionship and food are followed closely by toys in a dog's hierarchy of life fulfillment.

They don't have to be expensive either.











Cats love things they can play inside of and dogs love things they snuggle, kill or both.  It's pretty simple.  

This grocery bag has two functions.

For cats, I would recommend scratching toys (if they are not de-clawed).  Cat have an innate physiological need to scratch the shit out of stuff.  It satisfies them like any normal craving we would have for something (eating, playing games, sky-diving).  If you don't give them the toy option, it's your own fault if they destroy your sofa.  No amount of discipline will ever, EVER keep your cat from scratching.  Scratching toys can be anything from a post to small mice or balls made of sisal (a bendable, durable fiber much like hemp).

Playful dogs will play with just about anything with which that you engage them.  Stuffed animals, ropes, balls, etc.  If you are looking for something that a dog can play with on his own (because sometimes we need our alone time), choose a toy that you can stuff treats in.  You can even use low sodium peanut butter on any toy to get them interested.
 


I will leave you with a few specific suggestions for dog and cat toys.  I've bought hundreds of dollars worth, so I consider myself an expert in this particular field.

1. The Kong - This large rubber funnel-type toy is virtually indestructible.  Notice I say "virtually" (as most toy tags will boast) because no toy will ever last forever.  This toy is great for dog or cats.  You can put a treat or peanut butter in the center to keep them interested, and the flexible rubber massages their gums (good for hygiene and teething) while they chew.
2. Dr. Noys Stuffing-Free Toys - This product is made by Kong and comes in a variety of sizes and animals.  It's obviously great because there is no stuffing inside.  When they eventually tear it apart, guess what?  Nothing comes out.  That is, except for the squeaker.  This is extremely convenient for obvious reasons, but it also comes with extra squeakers to put in the toy after the previous one has died.
3. Mylar Mice or Balls - This is my favorite cat toy in the world.  They are made of stiff mylar (metalized nylon - think of film) which makes an intriguing "crinkle" sounds when touched.  It also bright and very light-reflective.  Ollie loses every toy she ever gets, so it's also helpful that these mice are never over a buck a piece.  Perfect.

Pet toys are expensive.  I mean ridiculous.  When you're looking, find something that seems durable and engaging.  I would never spend fifteen bucks on a toy they would tear apart in five minutes.  And, they just won't let you return half-eaten stuffed sheep.  Understand that they will like just about anything you bring home.  Just use your noggin on this one!

Keep Your Pet Safe From Sickness!

I've been sick with a cold for almost two weeks now, so I have decided to devote this post to common dog and cat illness and what can be done about them.  
 

Too cute to die.

The four most likely causes for pet health issues are bacterial, viral, parasitic and blood.  Because animals do not get the same health insurance some of us are lucky enough to have, we don't take them to the vet quite as often as we maybe should.  I know I don't; however, there are some illnesses that should necessitate an immediate visit to the pet doctor.

1. Distemper - This is a virus that occurs in both dogs and cats.  The symptoms include fever, watery eyes, diarrhea, loss of appetite and difficulty in breathing.  It is a highly contagious disease that is often fatal.  If it progresses, damage to the brain and central nervous system can occur.  It's a lot like the measles.  There is no cure for distemper, but the vaccine is included in nearly every booster series your puppy would receive.
2. Mange - This skin disease comes in two forms:  demodectic and sarcoptic.  Symptoms include loss of hair and excessive scratching.  The first is caused by something called a demodex mite and is not contagious.  It is also hereditary (which increases chance of a mange relapse).  It is very common and very treatable.  Though the treatment is available through a prescription, you can also use Ivermectin (a large animal product that you can use in lower dosages from household pets) in conjunction with an oatmeal shampoo to fix the problem.  Sarcoptic mange is similar to demodectic except that it is highly contagious and not hereditary.  The treatment is the same, though.  Because both are caused by mites, your vet could easily tell you which type of mange your four-legged friend has been exposed too.
3. Bordetella - Also known as "kennel cough", this is a viral infection that is very common in dogs that have visited kennels for extended periods of time.  It's a lot like bronchitis, and the common symptoms include a hacking cough and lethargy.  There are more serious variations of this infection (much like our own cold or flu) but it's very treatable with antibiotics.  There is also a handy vaccination for it.

These are more common issues that I have personally had to deal with in my pet-owning career.  Visit this website to learn more about common pet diseases, symptoms and treatments. 


About Vaccinations
I believe you should absolutely vaccinate your pet for any and all diseases that are available.  Even if they are no longer a puppy, but still a new member of the family, a series of booster shots is essential.  If the price of a vet visit is too expensive for you, I would strongly suggest that you visit All Pet Supplies where they can sell you the same vaccines that your vet can administer.  Because these shots only to puncture the nape of the neck, they are extremely simple to "do-it-yourself".  Plus, they are only about six or seven dollars each compared to a vet's administering fees.  



You'll save some serious money this way.  Don't forget, though, that visiting your vet is still something all pet owners should do from time to time in order to keep a happy, healthy animal going strong for many years.  Hope this helps!