Page 2

“minimize the amount of static that will potentially build-up”

Cat Grooming Tips

Dog Grooming Tips

Grooming your dog is very important for the health and well-being of the dog. A well groomed dog not only looks healthier but is healthier. By regularly grooming your dog, you can easily prevent dental disease, fleas and ticks, and so much more. 

The first step to grooming your dog is bathing him. You want to choose an all-natural dog shampoo that is free of chemicals that can potentially irritate your dog's skin. By bathing your dog you can

remove the unnecessary oils that can cause oily skin; you can also help alleviate dry skin, which can cause dandruff and itching. 

Brushing your dog with an appropriate brush and/or comb will help remove tangles, which can grow into matts. Matts and tangles pull at your dogs skin making walking and every day activities uncomfortable. Also, by regularly brushing your dog, you move around the natural oils that build up, which deter fleas from setting grounds.

You also want to keep a pair of electric clippers on hand, even if you have a short coated dog. You can use small clippers for small emergencies. If you dog has a cut, you can shave around the cut so that you can clean it up. Or if your dog has something stuck in his coat, you can shave the area to better assess the situation. But, remember that you should only do small exams while at home, and always contact a vet.

time reaching every part of their body and therefore need grooming more often in those areas. As a cat's shedding increases in the early spring, their grooming needs also increase. Be especially vigilant during that time-period.

Begin the grooming process by gently rubbing the cat all over with your hands.

You might want to spritz lightly your cat (or your hands) with a cat coat conditioner to minimize the amount of static that will potentially build-up during this process. Let your feline friend slowly relax into being touched.

While you're directly handling the cat, take the time to look him or her over well. Check for any physical conditions that you might not have been aware of - lumps, bumps, cuts, fleas, raw patches, etc. Make a note of which areas seem sensitive to your cat and watch for any additional negative reactions when working in those areas.

You can then proceed to brushing the front of your cat and work your ways backwards. This is a good calm starting point as most cats like their faces rubbed. Brush in the direction of your cat's fur and only switch to using a comb when and if the cat seems relaxed. Shorthaired cats might not even require being groomed with a comb, but it's a necessity for longhaired cats.

Grooming your cat is often a combination of massaging, brushing, combing, removing mats, nail trimming, and examining the body's overall condition. You might not be comfortable doing all of these procedures and your cat might not even need all of this work done for each grooming session. Trust your instincts and don't make your cat endure more than he or she can comfortably tolerate. It's better to do shorter grooming sessions more often than one long one that severely tests the limits of your cat's patience, not to mention your own frustration level!

And how often, you're wondering, should you groom your cat? The consensus seems to be that for longhaired cats, the more the better - perhaps even daily or at least a few times a week. Shorthaired cats can obviously be done less often but they should be checked over at least once a week. Overweight cats often have a hard

Vet Pet Online News