Beautify Your Pet with Proper Grooming and Health Care

Beautify Your Pet with Proper Grooming and Health Care




Guys know that puppies are “chick magnets”, and although O’Henry once wrote a story that concluded that men who love dogs hated women, I’m inclined to think well of men who have the responsibility and commitment to take care of an animal. I’m frankly prejudiced, believing that most people who have pets are probably a bit nicer than people who don’t. That’s assuming pets are well-cared for, of course. There are fewer things sadder than a pet who hasn’t been taken care of properly, unless maybe it’s a pet who’s been so cosseted that it bites, destroys things, goes in the house and gets away with mayhem because, “It’s widdle wee one wooves its Mommy!”







So I thought that today, I would write about ways to make your pet more beautiful than ever before without expensive trips to the Doggie Spa.



Your Pet's Health

Like people, animals tend to look better when they’re in good heath. Annual checkups at the vet are important, and keeping nails trimmed helps dogs and cats maintain the health of their feet and pads. Especially with cats, trimming nails on a regular basis is important not only to keep nails from splitting and tearing, but because it keeps your cat from forgetting what its like to have a Pawdicure. If you clip your cat’s nails once a month and make it part of a regular routine, the cat will struggle less than if you only do it once in awhile.

Inadequacies in diet can show up in your pet’s fur. Healthy fur is glossy or fluffy, thick and filled-in. When cats or dogs aren’t getting the nutrition they need, their fur may get patchy, rough or dull. Stress can also cause an animal’s fur to fall out.



If you suspect that your pet’s diet may not be all it should, you can try switching foods, or supplement the regular food with vitamins. Don’t rely on treats to provide added nutrition: many treats are the canine-feline equivalent of a bag of Cheetohs.



Anti-flea and tick medications as well as heartworm prevention are necessary for keeping pets healthy. Modern medicines like Advantage can be administered once a month, making it easy to keep your pet safe from parasites.



--Editor's Note --------------------------------------------------------------





How to Groom Your Pet on a Budget

Did you know that taking your pet to a professional grooming service can cost you $50 to $100 each time? Not to mention the groomers can put a signifigant amount of stress on your furry friend. You can actually purchase the exact same products the groomer uses to beautify your pet at a fraction of the cost.



Sure, sure . . .grooming your pet yourself will take a little bit of elbow grease and time, but your pet will love spending the extra time with you. Plus you won't have to break your monthly budget, just so your dog doesn't smell when you have guests over.



See a selection of pet grooming products that are available to pet owners and used by professional pet groomers.



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Grooming and Pet Hair Care

Like hair-brushing for people, regular grooming can help cats and dogs look their best. Brushing distributes natural oils, removes knots and tangles, and also gives your pet some additional, loving contact. Ideally, brush your pets every day, making sure to be on the lookout for ticks or fleas. Even with one-weekly brushing, you’ll see a difference in their coats. Additionally, brushing cats and dogs helps keep the fur-shedding down, resulting in a slightly cleaner house and a less frumpy animal.



If you start bathing your puppy while he’s young, you’ll have a better chance of teaching him that bathing is fun, not torture. A few dogs never get to enjoying a bath, but most dogs love water and will tolerate a certain amount of shampoo. Some dogs love to be bathed, which makes it an easy chore. Outdoor dogs need bathing more often than indoor dogs.

After bathing with a gentle pet shampoo, dry your dog as well as you can with a fluffy towel, and, for a more efficient drying, let him shake the water off several times. If it’s cold outside, keep him inside until he’s dry: dogs and cats can get chilled and sick just like people do. Besides, if he goes outside, he’s likely to roll in dirt to get back that outdoors-doggie smell the bath removed, and you may as well have never bathed him in the first place.



Cats shouldn’t be bathed unless unusual circumstances that result in a really, intolerably filthy cat. Even then, expect to be scratched and bitten, and for the bathing to last under ten seconds.



I’ve had good luck sponge-bathing a cat. Wet a sponge (don’t use any soap, or it’ll end up in the cat’s mouth), wring it mostly dry, and rub the cat down as if you’re just petting her. Some cats really like this: maybe it reminds them of being bathed by their mothers. The key is a mostly dry sponge: if it’s too wet, the cat will clue in, and run off. But it works pretty well: for a grubby cat, just keep wringing out the sponge in clean water. Also, it’s easier to follow the cat around the house than it is to get her to stay still while you rinse a sponge.



If Your Pet is Outdoors

Watch out for your outdoor pets’ paw pads in cold or hot weather. Paws can become frostbitten or burned just like feet can. In cold weather, your short-haired dog may need a small wardrobe to keep him warm. Dogs shiver when they’re cold, just like people do. Cats tend to find the warmest pace they can and curl up for warmth. You don’t have to buy special doggie clothes: a sweatshirt can keep your dog warm without diminishing his dignity too much.



In hot weather or cold, all animals need access to water and shelter. When it’s really hot, I have a friend who uses a cool-water sponge bath to cool her cat. When the temperatures rise past 80 degrees, she sponges her Siamese down a couple of times a day. She claims is has a definite effect on his temperament: hot weather makes him cranky.



Maintaining Your Pet's Eyes, Ears and Nose

Keeping your pet good-looking may require a little bit of nursemaiding. Wipe your cat’s or dog’s face with his own washcloth or a damp paper towel remove the little, crusty, nasty bits that sometimes cling to your pet’s eyes or nose. Clean the outside of his ears, but don’t ever poke around on the inside: your pet can’t tell you what’s going on and you might get (deservedly) bitten.