Blog Post by Linda Atha
If
you have a pet, there’s always grooming to do. Carolina Pets Animal Hospital is
a great place to have your pets groomed.
Did
you know your pet’s health begins with grooming?
It
removes dead hair, dandruff and dirt. And, grooming also prevents those tangled
messes and mats. Regularly groomed pets have
healthier and shinier coats. Grooming stimulates the blood supply to the skin. At
Carolina Pets Animal Hospital we offer all of the following options for your
pet, but here are some at-home hints:
Bathing – Avoid
use of human shampoos on your dog's skin. Human grade shampoos contain
chemicals that can be too harsh or drying for a dog or cat’s skin. We recommend
use of a shampoo specially formulated for your dog or cats skin and coat needs
(ask us if you need a recommendation).
When
bathing, lather the shampoo and distribute evenly over the body behind the ears
back. For your pet’s face and ears, use a wash cloth. Only use tearless
shampoos on the head to avoid eye burns. If you’re using a medicated shampoo,
be sure to leave the shampoo in contact with your pet’s skin for 5 to 10
minutes in order to get the full effect of the shampoo. Rinse the shampoo from your pet's skin
thoroughly, removing all excess shampoo residue. Follow with a pet conditioner.
*Don’t forget to clean your pet’s ears
AFTER the bath with an appropriate pet ear cleanser such as EpiOtic or Micellar
Solution.
Brushing - Match the brush to your pet's coat type. A curved
wire slicker or pin brush works best for long-haired breeds (e.g., Shetland
Sheepdogs or Border Collies). A regular wire slicker works great for medium or
short coats with dense undercoat (e.g., Terriers). A mitt or rubbery curry works great for smooth-coated breeds (e.g.,
Labrador Retrievers or Pointers).
*HINT*: Brush and comb your
pet before bathing. Tangles become tighter and more difficult to remove
when wet.
Brush
the entire coat down to the skin but do not brush the skin. Scraping the
brush against your pet’s skin can cause "brush burn" — irritated, red
skin that can require a trip to see one of our veterinarians at Carolina Pets
Animal Hospital. Brush gently on tender areas, such as the tummy and inside the
legs. Concentrate on one section and one
layer of the coat at a time. Part the coat by pushing it back with one
hand and brushing the hair down a little at a time with the other. Use quick,
deep strokes. Take your time. Brushing
out a coat, especially on heavy-coated breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel, can
be hard work and time-consuming. Comb
after brushing to remove remaining tangles and knots.
Is
your dog or cat severely matted? A clip down (or “Lion cut”) might be the key
to remove seriously matted hair coats, allowing them to grow out. This
will spare your dog or cat the pain and irritation of hours of detangling.
NAIL TRIM: The
final part of any grooming is a nail trim. There are many available tools for
nail trims. We recommend avoid the Roscoe clippers as their guillotine-type cutting
can cause pain when the blades dull, which happens quickly. And there is an
increased risk of cutting the nail too short. We do recommended scissor-type
nail clippers. Yes, there will be blood if you cut your pet’s nails too short. If
your pet’s nails are white/clear then you can easily see the pink area to be
avoided. However, if the nails are black, then you may need for us to show you
how to do a proper trim and avoid overcutting. We are always happy to do a nail
trim on your pet for you whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit, or another small rodent.
MOST IMPORTANT: Praise and
reward your pet. After all, grooming is a team effort!
Pic
sources:
Dachshund
puppy: http://bit.ly/1YEXkVQ
Cat
and brush: http://bit.ly/1RjsUXf
Lion
cut cat: http://bit.ly/1NFRO3x
