JUNE 2011: THE
“I am joy in a wooly coat,
come to dance into your life, to make you laugh!” ~ Julie Church
As with humans, our pets’
largest organ is skin and, along with fur and hair, its condition reflects nutritional
and overall health. Areas to ensure
optimum health include:
Diet:
A healthy diet is essential for a shiny, healthy coat. Don’t feed pets table
scraps; their digestive systems can’t always handle human food. Talk to your
vet about the best diet for your pet’s size, breed and activity level. Be sure
to include any concerns about skin conditions and allergies (often revealed
through skin and hair in dogs, GI tracts in cats). If you or your vet suspect
your pet has food allergies, a hypoallergenic diet can be prescribed that contains
ingredients not previously encountered. Protein is the first ingredient to be
replaced with something ‘novel’, like duck (even lamb is now too commonly found
in pet food to be used as an alternative) to which your pet hasn’t been
exposed. Grains follow. Remember that strict adherence to the prescribed diet,
along with water, is crucial in determining food allergies. (See http://www.canine-clippers.com/newsletters/september2008.htm
for foods that are risky for pets.)
Supplements: Fatty Acids & Omega 3 fish oils are safe and routinely recommended
by veterinarians. Some people occasionally add about a teaspoon (depending on
your pet’s size) of olive, safflower, fish, or sunflower oil to dry food, but
caution is advised so as to not upset sensitive GI tracts.
Brushing and de-matting: Daily brushing is recommended to prevent matting,
and should be carefully introduced so that it’s enjoyable and not a struggle.
Avoid brushing with hard bristles around sensitive areas like the face, ears,
or genitals. For these areas, use a soft, warm washcloth or grooming mitt. To
de-matt, spray a de-tangler and gently brush to work the tangle out from the
outside in, while holding the hair between the knot and your pet’s body.
Bathing: To preserve & balance natural oils, it’s advised not to bathe
your dog more than once a week or so. Human shampoo isn’t PH balanced for dogs, and can
strip the oils needed to protect their skin. Ask your vet or groomer for recommendations on shampoo and
de-tanglers. (Hint for bathing your dog yourself: To prevent shaking, wash upwards
and around the head last.) Always be sure to rinse thoroughly, since residual
shampoo can irritate the skin. Gently towel dry and brush damp hair to remove
knots.
A great alternative to
high maintenance and drain clogging at-home baths is a pet bathing salon, where
you can either use self-serve equipment and shampoo to wash your dog, or choose
a professional grooming. http://www.wash-and-wag.com/
Wash &
Wag in Culpeper is now owned and operated by Canine Clippers, &
managed by Ronda Nottingham, NCMG.
Cats are welcome too, for a bath and brush out, and/or a ‘Lion Clip’, or, cut
one length all over. Cat grooming services include nails as well, and are by
appointment only (while you wait).
Flea and other pest control: This is vital for a healthy coat because, of
course, flea and other pest infestations
cause sores & skin irritations exacerbated by scratching and biting. Front
Line, available through your professional pet care giver, is the most effective
& commonly used prevention. Non-toxic home treatments include a tsp. of
salt in a pint of water or Dawn dish detergent. If scratching & biting
becomes chronic, you may wish to use a cone or ‘E Collar’ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabethan_collar)
to break the habit. (See http://www.canine-clippers.com/newsletters/june2008.htm
for more info on fleas & ticks.)
Remember, some breeds of dogs, like Poodles and Bichon Frise, and cats, like Persians & Himalayans, need routine professional grooming care. (Please see: http://canine-clippers.com/newsletters/november2009.htm.)
“Canine Clippers is
recognized for their part in helping students in the
http://pwcs.schoolfusion.us:80/modules/news/announcements/announcement.phtml?aid=2041813.
If you would like to learn
how to become a dog groomer, our classes begin the second Tuesday of every
month. Please contact our
All
three of our
~ Written by Rebecca Nilson
~
703-378-9500;
featherlepetcarechantilly@verizon.net,
703-430-0414; featherlepetcaresterling@verizon.net,
703-221-3647;
canineclipperschool@verizon.net
540-829-6665: Wash & Wag of Culpeper, 217