Pet Grooming
Grooming is an important part of taking good care of your pet every day.
Not just for clipping and washing, grooming your pet on a regular basis helps alert you to heath problems before they get serious. You’ll become familiar with the regular feelings and smells of your pet’s body so you can quickly recognize lumps, bumps, infections, irritations and wounds to bring them to your veterinarian’s attention. Some pet grooming procedures like hair trimming and nail trimming are best left to the professionals because they are skilled and trained to avoid pitfalls that can injure your pet.
Brush Your Pet at Least Once a Week
Brushing your pet is comforting to him but it also removes dead skin, excess hair and spreads out the natural oils in his skin. For cats, it helps reduce hairballs because you’ll be removing hair your kitty would be licking as he grooms himself. Choose the right pet brush or comb by reading the labels carefully. They should be labeled according to coat style, size and breed recommendations. The longer and fussier your pet’s hair, the more you should make a regular habit of brushing him when you sit down to watch TV.
Check and Clean his Ears
Infections can easily crop up here because it’s warm and moist inside. Pick up his ear flaps regularly and look inside. They should be a healthy pink color. If you see any dirt in the folds, simply swab out with a moistened cotton swab. If you notice any sensitivity to touch, discharges of any kind or a foul odor or any suspicious behavior regarding balance, take your pet to the vet to have it checked out. Also check for ear mites and, if necessary, get the medication from the vet. Beware of ear cleansers because they can cause damage to your pet’s ear drum and inner ear if he has an infection or injury while you are using it.
Clean his Teeth
According to the AAHA, about 80 percent of 3-year old cats and dogs show some signs of periodontal disease in the form of plaque and tarter build-up around the gum line. This condition can lead to gum infections and tooth loss earlier rather than later in his life, not to mention bad breath. To simply clean your pets teeth and gums at home, cover your finger with a piece of gauze soaked in a baking soda and water mixture and gently rub around the gum line and over teeth as much as your pet will allow. Also take a look inside noting any abscesses, swellings, redness or foul odors. If you start early in your pet’s life, this procedure will be easier to accomplish. You can also have your pet’s teeth professionally cleaned by the groomer.
Trim and Check his Paws
You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you hear nails clicking on hard floors. Nails should never touch the ground because this is how they can get snagged, causing injuries to his paws. Unfortunately most dogs and cats prefer not to have their paws handled and touched, let alone trimmed! Start when you pet is very young and you’ll have fewer problems. For dogs, praise him and love him while touching his ears, teeth and paws and he’ll get used to the praise and love when you touch these areas and look forward to it. Caution: trimming nails is tricky because you have to avoid clipping the “quick,” the part of the nail that is attached to the toes. It can bleed profusely and be very painful, so keep some styptic (clotting) powder handy and clip carefully. If you’re unsure how to do this, have it done by a professional groomer for about $5.
Check his Eyes
Look into his eyes and all around, too. Check for discharges or lumps or injuries, and while you’re there, be sure to trim away any hair that is hanging into his eyes because this can be a transmitter of infection. Keep flea shampoos out of eyes and apply a sterile ophthalmic ointment (or even just a tiny smear of Vaseline around outer rims) to protect them from soapy water that can sting and damage his eyes.
Give him a Bath
If your dog spends lots of time outdoors, he’ll need a bath every once in a while, especially if you smell anything suspicious or he has matted hair or he is infested with fleas.