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Dog Grooming
Grooming can be a special bonding time between you and your dog.
You can also use this time to check your dog’s
health. Look carefully for signs of fleas, ticks, skin
irritations, lumps or painful spots. Check your dog's
eyes, ears and teeth regularly. Consult your veterinarian
if you find anything unusual or concerning.
Dog Grooming basics
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Longhaired
dogs generally need to be groomed daily while
shorthaired breeds may only need to be groomed
weekly. |
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Selecting
a time when your dog is calm and you have adequate
time will help make grooming a pleasurable experience
for both you and your dog. |
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Get
your puppy accustomed to grooming early in life
by handling your puppy often and touching its
ears and paws. Be gentle and reassure your puppy
constantly. |
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Some
areas of your dog’s body may be more sensitive
to combing and brushing than others. Be aware
of these areas and be gentle. |
Brushing and Combing
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Regular
brushing and combing will remove loose and matted
hair and help keep the skin free of disease and
parasite. Natural oils will be more evenly distributed
to give your dog a nice shiny coat. Comb in the
direction of hair growth to remove tangles. |
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• |
Fine-toothed dog combs are used for soft, thin or silky coats. Medium-toothed
combs are used for normal coats. Wide-toothed
combs are best for heavy and thick coats. |
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Flea
combs are very fine and are used for removing
parasites and flea dirt from the coat. They may
also be used to comb the hair around the eyes. |
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Rakes
are ideal for removing dead undercoat hair in
larger dogs with coarser, thicker coats. |
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Brush
in the direction of hair growth, beginning at
the head, and work towards the tail and down the
legs. Brushing removes loose hair and daily brushing
of longhaired and double-coated dogs removes dead
hair from the undercoat to help prevent matting. Slicker brushes are ideal for this purpose
but are also a good general brush for all breeds
if used lightly. |
| • |
Pin
brushes, with rounded tips to prevent damage to
the skin, are good for dogs with long, fine hair
such as Silky Terriers. They can also be used
to fluff the coat by brushing against the direction
of hair growth |
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Bristle
brushes are good for dogs with very long coats,
such as the Afghan, and help add shine to the
short coat. |
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Grooming
mitts are also good for shorthaired breeds to
add polish and shine once the loose hairs are
removed. |
Nail Trimming
Keep your dog’s nails regularly trimmed by using
nail clippers specially designed for dogs. Only clip
the tip of each nail, being careful to stop short of
the quick where the blood vessels are. Ask your vet
to show you the correct technique the first time, especially
if your dog has dark nails. Human toenail clippers are
ideal for puppy nails. (More Dog Grooming Products)
Bathing
Bath your dog as necessary with dog shampoos
formulated for dogs. Frequency depends on the breed
of your dog, the characteristics of its coat and its
environment. Frequency of bathing should also take into
consideration whether you are using a general shampoo,
a medicated shampoo for specific skin conditions or
a flea shampoo. There are also crème rinses available
for dogs some of which may be medicated. (More Dog Grooming Products)
Dog Nutrition
A major responsibility of dog owners is to provide their dog with the necessary
nutrients required for its growth and maintenance. Dogs need a diet that
contains protein, fat, minerals, vitamins, and water. Those nutrients are
the building blocks of body tissues, essential for normal metabolism, and
necessary to supply energy for growth and maintenance. The Canine Nutrition
Expert (CNE) subcommittee of the Association of American Feed Control Officials
(AAFCO) establishes the basic minimum nutritional requirements for dogs.
Pet-food manufacturers use those standards when producing dog foods.
Commercial dog foods are formulated as dry, semi moist, and canned. The
products differ in water content, protein level, caloric density, palatability
and digestibility. The differences are primarily attributed to the processing
methods used by pet-food manufacturers. A quality dog food provides the
necessary nutrients in a properly balanced proportion.
Reading the nutrition label on the package is the best way to compare dog
foods. Pet-food manufacturers are required to supply certain nutrition information
on the package. Labeling regulations are established by the AAFCO and the
United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to ensure compliance
with federal and state feed regulations. The section labeled "guaranteed
analysis" lists the percentages of protein, water, fat, fiber, and
ash.
The amount to feed your dog should be based on caloric content, quality
of nutrients, and your dog's special dietary needs. Meat scraps from the
table and specialty dog treats can be fed from time to time but should not
be a steady diet for your dog. Those treats often lack the proper proportion
of basic nutrients a dog requires to maintain its health. A rule of thumb
is not to let treats exceed 10 percent of your dog's daily diet. Although
raw meat is an excellent source of many nutrients, it is not recommended
as food for dogs, because it is a potential vehicle for salmonellosis, E.
coli, and other infectious agents.
Throughout a dog's life, there are stages in which the dog requires different
nutrients. Those include puppy hood, pregnancy, lactation, and old age.
Be certain to select a food designed for your dog’s stage of life.
Also, there are special dietary needs associated with certain nutrition-sensitive
diseases such as food allergies, kidney disease, liver disease, congestive
heart failure and diabetes. Consult your veterinarian with any questions
you might have concerning the proper feeding of your dog.(More Dog Nutritional Health Products) |
Eye Health
The dog and cat eye is one of the most important sense
organs they have. Without them they have a very hard
time getting around and it greatly reduces their ability
to interact with the rest of the family. Eye injuries
and diseases are very serious and as such, any problem
with your pet’s eyes needs to be addressed by
your veterinarian as soon as possible. The ophthalmic
antibiotic ointment Terramycin™ is great for the
local treatment of superficial ocular infections in
dogs, cats, puppies and kittens, but is not a cure-all
for all eye diseases. As such, unless you know what
you are dealing with, consult your veterinarian. (More
Dog Eye Care Products)
Dental
Health
Your pet’s dental and gum health is very important for her overall
health especially as she ages. Teeth are important for chewing food and
playing. A healthy mouth is a happy pet. As tartar accumulates on the
teeth, severe irritation occurs along the gum line. This is termed gingivitis
and is caused by bacteria living in the tartar. Those same bacteria are
also a major cause of halitosis (bad breath) in pets. As the gums become
more diseased from the bacteria and tartar they erode to expose and breakdown
the roots of the teeth and their attachments. This process is termed periodontal
disease. Over time bacteria around and under the gum tissue invade the
body through the blood supply. This can cause infections on the heart
valves and in major organs such as the liver, kidneys and pancreas. Cats
and dogs are affected equally. Overtime, periodontal disease can lead
to a much-shortened lifespan.
The best prevention of periodontal disease in dogs and cats is by preventing
tartar accumulation in the first place. Tartar is formed after plaque
(that filmy substance on your teeth if you haven’t brushed in a
while) has remained on the tooth for 48 hours. By brushing the teeth every
day, you can prevent tartar accumulation on your pet’s teeth and
provide her with a better quality and longer life.
The easiest way to brush your pets teeth is with a finger brush or a pet
tooth brush. Our handy dental kit by VET is a great place to start
for dogs and cats. If you can rub your finger in between your pet’s
teeth and lips, then you will be able to brush their teeth. The toothpaste
that comes with the kit and is also sold separately (C.E.T. Enzymatic
Toothpaste) is safe for pets to ingest, unlike human fluoride paste.
First just use your finger and some pet toothpaste and rub the tooth and
gum lines. Do this for a few days. Then, use the finger brush and paste
for a few days. Last, use the appropriate sized toothbrush. If your pet
will only allow the finger brush, that is fine, just continue to use it.
Try to make it fun and play with your pet afterward or go for a walk as
a reward. She will learn it is a good thing to get her teeth brushed. (More Dog Health Care Products)
Flea
Control
Controlling fleas can be the most frustrating thing for us to do. Once you
know how fleas live and reproduce, however, you can wipe them out and prevent
reinfestation completely and easily. Please read "4 Factoids of Flea Control" for more detailed information on choosing the correct flea control for you.
Flea Life Cycle 101
| Fact
#1: |
Fleas
spend 99% of their adult life on the dog or cat. They do not jump
from dog to dog, or drop off of a cat to digest a meal before jumping
on another cat. They prefer a permanent residence. They do not stay
on humans. |
| Fact
#2: |
The
fleas support mechanism and outer body is called an exoskeleton and
is composed of chitin (pronounced “ki-ten”). Every time
a flea grows or molts it must produce chitin in order to do so. Also,
for a flea larva (baby flea) to hatch out of an egg it must have an
egg tooth composed of chitin in order to do so. |
| Fact
#3: |
Although
an adult flea can live for only 6 months, a flea egg or pupae (flea
in a cocoon) may stay in the environment for many months waiting for
ideal conditions to emerge. |
The products we recommend for optimal flea control
are Program Flea Control,
Advantage Flea Control, Frontline Plus™,
and Siphotrol
Plus Premise Spray™. Any of these products
may be used alone to achieve flea control, but used
together; they provide a powerful flea elimination
system. Program™
keeps fleas from laying eggs that will hatch. Advantage™
and Frontline Plus™kills adult fleas on the pet and Siphotrol
Plus Premise Spray™ controls fleas in the
environment.
| Step
1: |
All cats and dogs need to be on Advantage™
Flea Control for the first 4 months. In effect,
your pet will act as a flea-killing machine when
Advantage™ Flea Control is applied monthly
as directed |
| Step
2: |
Siphotrol
Plus Premise Spray™ should be used on the
pet’s bedding and locations where they spend
a lot of time. Also spray under furniture and
areas out of direct light. Tile or linoleum does
not need any spray; the flea eggs will dry out.
One or two applications two weeks apart will be
enough. |
| Step
3: |
All
dogs and cats are place on Program™ Flea
Control once a month, given with a full meal.
This should be continued as long as you desire
flea control and prevention. Doing this will insure
that even if your pet picks up some fleas somewhere,
your house or yard will not become infested as
a result of it. |
These steps will work 100% of the time if all pets
are on the Program™ Flea Control year round,
the Advantage™ Flea Control is used for the
first four months, Siphotrol Plus Premise Spray™
is used at the start of treatment, and all pets are
kept inside or in a fenced in area. If a pet is allowed
to travel outside the fenced in area or house, then
they would need Advantage™ Flea Control applied
every month for complete control.
Try our Dog
Flea Control Starter Kit or Cat
Flea Control Starter Kit that has free shipping
and a 7% discount. This includes all the flea control
products mentioned above. (More Dog Flea Control Products)
Shampoos
and Skin Health
Care for the largest organ of the body is one of the most important things
you can do for your dog or cat. The skin and hair coat of your pet can
be an indication of their overall health.
Make sure your pet is on a high quality diet. If any skin problems arise,
seek advise from your veterinarian.Two very good general cleansing shampoos are:
Berry Gentle Tearless Shampoo and Ultrasensative Tearless Shampoo. Both clean and condition the hair coat. Berry Gentle Tearless Shampoo has a better fragrance and the Ultrasensitive Tearless Shampoo is very similar to baby shampoos, but made for puppies, kittens, dogs, and cats. It
is recommended to bathe your pet no more than once per week, but with
the shampoos recommended in this article every other day bathing can be
done without drying the skin.
Dry, flaky, irritated skin is often a sign of mild
skin allergies. Often, 3-V
Caps™ and a moisturizing shampoo (Relief
Dog Shampoo) will alleviate the problem. A great and safe brightening shampoo, especially for dogs and cats with white fur, is PearLyte Shampoo. PearLyte Shampoo also has oatmeal conditioners that help with itchy skin. Fleas
can cause a lot of irritation and inflammation of
the skin. Please view our Flea Control Article or
browse our Cat Flea Control Products for more information on controlling these pests. A good flea shampoo is
Ectosoothe
3X™. Ectosoothe
3X™ kills fleas and moisturizes irritated,
sensitive skin. Skin infections often called bacterial
dermatitis or pyodermas can be prevented and sometimes
controlled using Chlorhexiderm™.
For skin infections that also have hair follicle inflammation
(folliculitis), SulfOxyDex™
is a wonderful shampoo. For oily, irritated and itchy
skin, NuSal-T™
shampoo will provide quick relief.
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Visit www.ACatDog.com today to order these products online in a safe and secure environment.
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