Grooming: Matted Hair

Long haired, double coated dogs and cats like Chows, collies, and Persians can be prone to hair mats without regular brushing and grooming. Why is fur matting bad for dogs and cats? It looks bad. This is the least of your problems. Mats in the armpits and groin areas can be very painful. Mats can cause bruising from pulling. Mats can cause sores if the dog or cat is constantly licking or chewing on the area. A pet with matted fur may be reluctant to move. A pet with painfully matted fur may flinch or snap at human contact. You … Continue reading →

Mr. Meow vs. the Clippers

Not too long ago a debate raged in our household about whether or not to declaw Tabby. That debate has sort of died out ever since I “cowboyed up” and learned to trim Tab’s nails. I’ve had a couple more successful goes at Tabby’s toes. She doesn’t mind me touching her paws and clipping away one bit. All I have to do is catch her in just the right docile mood. I’ve even gotten pretty proficient and quick at it. So much so I’ve decided to direct my newfound talents on the other four-legged members of our family, like Murphy. … Continue reading →

How to Keep Pup Smelling Fresh After the Bath

In How to Bathe a Dog That Hates Baths, I shared the ways I go about cleaning my anti-bath taking dog, Murphy. Now I’m going to share some ways that I’ve found to keep him smelling fresh afterwards. No Rolling in Stinky Stuff! Okay, this is more tongue-in-cheek than serious. Obviously, once clean who isn’t a little more vigilant about making sure pup doesn’t go rolling amuck once more? (Or rolling in muck, as the case may be.) Deodorants They’re not just for people anymore! Actually, I didn’t even know they made them for pets until a kennel owner shared … Continue reading →

How to Bathe a Dog That Hates Baths

In Dog Quirks: The Funny Little Things They Do I shared that one of Murphy’s quirks is that he hates baths. Which is not such a bad thing. Unlike us humans, it’s not good for a dog’s coat to be washed too frequently anyway. However, there are those times when he gets a little ripe and we’re forced to take action. Since he hates showers and baths of any manner, we have limited options. (He weighs about 65 pounds, which is very manageable most times. He is very well behaved and listens to most commands. But at the mention of … Continue reading →

Dealing With A Skunk Attack

Let me preface this by saying I hope I never ever have to use any of the tips here. Any skunks out there who may be reading this Pets Blog, please stay far away from me and my dogs. First things first: if your pet has been sprayed by a skunk, check her eyes, nose, and mouth. Most skunks will aim and fire at the face! The chemicals in skunk spray can be irritating to the mucous membranes. The lining of your pet’s mouth, throat, and lungs can become inflamed. So if your pet was sprayed in the face, be … Continue reading →

Bad Breath In Pets

It’s an all too common complaint: doggy breath or kitty breath! You go in for a cuddle with your furry friend and catch a whiff of breath that makes your nose want to run right off your face. What causes bad breath in pets? There isn’t any one cause. Perhaps the most common cause of death breath (or halitosis, if you want to use the technical term) is some kind of dental problem. Bacteria, food particles, and saliva can help form plaque on the teeth, which leads to bad breath. If not cleaned away, the plaque can develop into gingivitis … Continue reading →

Tear Stains

Some pets look like they’ve been crying. Although dogs and cats do have tear ducts, they don’t cry for the same reasons humans do. Tears are produced constantly and drain out through small ducts in the eyelids. These ducts normally flow into the nose; ducts that are blocked cause the tears to drain out onto the face. Tear stains may be especially noticeable on light colored pets. Miniature and toy breeds of dog are especially prone to pink or brown tear stains on the skin and hair just below the inside corner of the eye. Under normal conditions, a pet’s … Continue reading →

So You Want To Be A Groomer?

You love dogs. You love cats. You think life would be great if you could work full or part-time taking care of pets… but is life as a groomer right for you? Grooming can be a financially rewarding career — in the United States, a professional groomer can earn between forty and sixty thousand dollars annually. Not bad, for handing dogs and cats all day! What does it take to make it as a professional groomer? Good communication skills. You will be talking to owners with high expectations of you. Customer service and good public relations skills are a must! … Continue reading →

How to Choose a Groomer

Independent groomers. Mobile groomers who come to your home. Groomers at your local pet super store. Groomers at your veterinarian’s. Groomers at your doggy day care. With so many choices out there, how do you pick the groomer that is right for you and your pup? Why choose a professional? If you aren’t comfortable with doing the grooming yourself. If your pet requires more hair, skin, and/or nail care than you are capable of giving. If your pet has developed hygiene issues — sprayed by a skunk, developed serious mats, etc. You may not have the time to groom your … Continue reading →

Grooming Aids

Giving your dog — especially a large dog — a home groom doesn’t have to be a circus. Believe it or not, you can brush and bathe your dog without the chasing, wrestling, struggling, and ending up like you just sat in the front row of the Shamu show at Sea World. I am VERY excited to introduce you to the Groomie. This device was invented by an engineer who loves his dog but hates the house full of hair that comes with it. The Groomie is a brush that attaches to your vacuum cleaner’s hose. As you brush your … Continue reading →