Dog Grooming Hints

The Hypo-Allergenic Dog Myth!

If you are looking to buy or adopt a dog but have a dog allergy, please be aware despite popular uneducated belief, there is no such thing as a hypoallergnic dog.

The dog allergy is triggered by dander. Dander is made up of dead skin, saliva, and urine. Guess what – all dogs have all 3 of those things. Hence, no hypo-allergenic dog.

Fortunately, some dogs have dander that isn’t strewn around as easily as others. For example, a poodle doesn’t shed it’s hair like the majority of dogs. Poodles have fur like human hair – it grows. Yes, it falls out, as does mine, but the poodle doesn’t shed it’s coat yearly or biyearly (or constantly like one of my pups!). Plus, poodles are often groomed. All of this grooming plus not shedding gives their dander little opportunity to get all over your house and trigger your allergy. If this dog wasn’t groomed properly or if you had very severe allergies, you would definitely have an allergic reaction to this supposedly “hypoallergenic” dog.

Even hairless dogs have hair, skin, saliva, and urine. These dogs can trigger even more allergies because the hair is too fine to trap any of the dander.

I have a very mild allergy to dogs and I also have 6 dogs. Some of them do aggravate my allergies more than the others – especially as puppies. I was moderately allergic to one of my dogs when he was a puppy – I would even break out into hives where my more sensitive skin (inner arm, neck, face, etc) touched his fur. Now that he’s an adult dog, he doesn’t trigger my allergies at all.

My point, basically, is that if you are severly allergic to dogs, you may need to consider another pet. You won’t be happy when you are constantly having a severe allergy attack and you’ll be even more upset when you have to find your beloved pet a new home. Please don’t adopt or buy a dog unless you know it won’t trigger your allergies (some people may be able to find a breed or particular dog that doesn’t trigger so many allergies) or unless you know you can live the next 10-20 years suffering with your allergic reaction to the dog, even if it worsens.

There are millions of dogs that need great homes, yes. But, adopting a dog and later needing to find it another home because it’s triggering your allergies is contributing to the problem of homeless pets. Please do your research before adopting or buying any dog. If you have allergies, you may need to find another pet that will better suit your needs. Getting a dog just because you want one is not only selfish but it’s also very unfair to the dog.

Cleanliness and proper grooming can be very important to the continued good health of our beloved pets. But bathing our puppy or adult dog can often prove to be a challenge. There are many questions, myths and opinions floating around when discussing the best care for different dog types and temperaments. Check out these dog bathing tips to get some great ideas so youll be prepared for your next dog bath and grooming session.

How often should you bath your dog?

How often your pet will need a dog bath will depend on the breed and what type of activities the dog is involved in. Its best to bathe your dog only when your dog is really dirty. Just use your nose that tell tale doggy smell will let you know its time for a bath.

If a dog is bathed too often the skin will be stripped of its natural, protective oils. This will result in dry itchy skin, which will cause your dog to scratch, further irritating the already sensitive skin. If you need to bathe your dog more frequently make sure to use a pet shampoo that will also moisturize your dogs skin. You may also want to follow up with an after bath pet coat conditioner specifically formulated for dry skin.

Wheres the best place to bath your dog?

In warm weather you can bathe your dog outside. Pick a place that will not turn to mud when it gets wet. Its a good idea a have a washtub large enough for your dog to stand up in and fill it with a few inches of water. Water straight from a garden hose may start off warm, but usually gets cold very fast. If your dog starts to resist and shiver, as the water gets colder, you may want to consider another option.

Many pet owners have overcome this problem by purchasing a raised dog bath. This convenient, back-saving dog bath is often used with a water temperature mixer valve assembly that completely solves this problem. With the proper equipment set up youll be able to save your back and control the water temperature of your dogs bath. Some temperature mixer valve assemblies hook up to your existing washing machine water supply. At bath time just connect an ordinary garden hose to the valve assembly and run it outside to the bathing area. This convenient type of back-saving dog bath can even be used for bathing your dog inside.

If you choose to bathe your dog inside, regulating the water temperature shouldnt be a problem. But deciding where to bathe your dog might be. Small dogs and puppies can usually be bathed easily in a sink or a washtub. For bigger dogs you will need something bigger like a bathtub or a large shower stall. And of course, the bigger your dog is the bigger the potential hassles.

Are you tired of chasing and wrestling with your dog at bath time?

Many dog owners solve this problem by purchasing a raised dog bath. An ergonomically designed dog grooming bathing tub elevates your dog to a level thats comfortable for you and keeps your dog securely contained, taking the hassle out of washing your dog. Youll get the job done in half the time, save your back and stay dryer. The raised dog bath that is available in most pet shops and online stores will also save your dog stress at bath time. No more slipping and sliding. Your dog will really feel secure standing on the padded non-slip surface. This type of raised dog bath has been recommended by Dog World Magazine in their “Notable Products for the New Millennium”.

Does your dog tend to get away from you during a bath?

Bathing your dog is a challenging, but essential, part of dog grooming. Its funny how your dog will cleverly evade you when you try to get him into a dog bath, but will be just as determined to get past you when you dont want him to jump into the water at the beach.

If youre washing your dog in a room with a door make sure to close it so that your dog will not see an escape route or get very far if he prematurely gets out of the bath. This way youll have an easier time getting him back in the tub to finish the job. It can be a challenge bathing a dog thats wiggling around but the challenge gets a little tougher when your dog is an escape artist. If your dog takes any opportunity to get away from you at bath time you may want to consider restraining your dog.

Restraints are used during bath time to avoid injury to you as well as your pet. Some pet bathing tubs come with restraints included. With these your dog will be safely and securely restrained and you will be able to give your dog a quick and hassle-free bath.

Is your dog slipping and sliding in the bath?

Slipping and sliding can be the most stressful part of bath time for a dog. Put a rubber mat down on the bottom surface of the tub to prevent your dog from sliding and getting hurt. A sure-footed dog will be less resistant and much more at ease during bath time.

Things to have on hand at bath time:

Raised Dog Bath – This is a fantastic idea for a dog bath. Its ergonomically designed for both you and your dogs comfort. Your local pet groomer is likely to have just such a bathing station set up in their shop. If youre thinking about buying a tub or basin to bathe your dog in, ask them if you can check out their tub set up. If you have the room or more than one dog, you may find it worthwhile.

Pet Shower or Plastic Pitcher – A Pet Shower is great, but if thats not possible make sure you have a large plastic pitcher for wetting and rinsing your dog.

Drain Screen – Make sure to protect your plumbing from hair clogs with a simple to use drain screen.

Cotton Balls – Can be placed in each ear to prevent water from running into your dog’s ears.

Pet Shampoos – There are many different pet shampoos each formulated to work on problems such as dry itchy skin, inflamed or dry scaling skin, fleas & ticks, doggy odor, skunk odor, abnormal shedding, quick rinsing for dogs that don’t like to take a bath, whiteners for white coats, color intensifiers for dark coats, and coat shine to bring out the natural luster of your dog’s coat. You may want to try a hypoallergenic shampoo/conditioner that will gently clean and conditioner your pet’s coat in one step.

Coat Conditioners – There are many pet coat conditioners that will help manage and or improve the appearance of your dog’s coat like crme rinse, grooming spray, after bath dry skin treatment, and herbal mist conditioner that will soothe, re-moisturize and detangle your pet’s coat.

Pet Drying Towels – If you want to get your dog dry faster check out a specialty pet-drying towel. Some are available that will absorb 10 times its own weight in water!

Eye Protective Gel – Are you concerned about shampoo making its way into your dogs eyes? Just put a little protective eye gel in each eye just before bath time to prevent burning and redness.

Ear Drying Solution – If your dog is prone to ear infections make sure you have some ear-drying solution on hand. Using an ear drying solution will assure that the ear canal is nice and dry after bathing.

Brushes/Combs – There are many different styles and sizes of traditional dog grooming brushes and combs that you can choose from. If your dog has very sensitive or irritated skin you may want to consider a higher quality brush that will not scratch the skin or aggravate existing skin irritations.

Pet Dryer – If your dog has a thick, long or double coat its best to use a pet dryer. Unlike people hair dryers, pet dryers are designed to use less heat and more air volume so they quickly and safely dry a dog without damaging the coat or burning the skin. If you use a “people” blow dryer be very careful since you can easily burn your pet!

Plastic Bucket – Its very convenient to have a waterproof container that will keep your dog grooming supplies close at hand.

Remember to get all your dog grooming supplies ready before hand and let your dog sniff everything.

Why you should brush your dog thoroughly before bathing.

Depending on the type of coat your dog has you may need an assortment of grooming brushes and combs to properly care for your dog’s skin and coat. Before you bathe your dog it’s always a good idea to brush your pet’s coat thoroughly to remove any tangles or matted areas as well as any other foreign debris. Many dog owners know first hand that if they don’t spend time removing old, established tangles and mats before bathing many times they just get worse. If your dog’s coat tangles and mats easily make sure to look for shampoos and conditioners that are formulated to prevent and break up mats.

If your dog has gotten into any sticky or gooey substances like tar or gum never use commercial solvents or industrial cleaners on your dogs coat. Many of these are toxic to your dog. Try dissolving these substances with mineral oil. If youre unable to remove something from your dogs coat carefully snip away the affected area. Its always best to sacrifice some hair or fur since it will grow back rather than risk damage to the skin. Brush your dog thoroughly between baths, daily if you can, to distribute the natural oils and remove tangles, mats and foreign matter.

Choosing the best pet shampoo/coat conditioner for your dog.

Always use a pet shampoo that is specially formulated for the pH of your pet’s skin. Never use people shampoos since our skin pH level is much more acidic than our canine friends and could irritate your dogs skin.

Start bathing your dog at the beginning: Your Dog’s Head.

A popular bathing technique is to start at your dogs head and work your way toward the tail. This is especially the case if its possible that fleas are present. If you know that your dog has fleas you may want to use a flea & tick shampoo. Starting at your dog’s head forces any fleas to gather away from your dogs face, eyes, and ears. It is much easier to dunk the rear of your dog into the tub than your dogs face. As you may imagine, your dog is likely to be much more cooperative by following this simple bathing technique.

Let your dog get used to the sound of the running water. If youre using a tub or basin fill it with a few inches of warm water. Then get your dog into the bath. If youre using a raised dog bath just secure your dog into the dog bath. Starting from the head thoroughly wet your dog with warm water. You can use a plastic pitcher or a spray nozzle for this task. If youre using a spray nozzle make sure the spray is not too strong. Never spray water directly onto your dogs face or genitals.

Apply a pet shampoo/coat conditioner. Follow the instructions on the package. Work it in from the head to the tail. Be sure to get all those nooks and crannies; like the rectum, between the toes, behind the ears and under the chin. Be careful not the get shampoo in your dogs eyes. If this is a concern you can protect your dogs eyes by putting some protective eye gel in each eye just before getting your dog into the bath.

Rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water. Shampoo residue can cause skin irritations so make sure you give your dogs coat a thorough rinsing. Towel drying your pets coat in the dog bath will remove some of the excess water before you take your dog out of the tub. Some breeds should never be rubbed, only patted, since their coats easily tangle. Dog owners often prefer to use dedicated pet towels. There are pet drying towels available that will absorb 10 times their weight in water. These are very handy towels to use for a dog bath and can also be used any time your pet gets wet.

Although many dog owners think of bathing their dog as a challenge, with the right approach, supplies, and equipment, you can get through it relatively unscathed. And dont forget to reward your dogs good behavior in the bathing process with treats and plenty of loving kindness.

Copyright 2004, Dog-Supplies-Advisor.com, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

Do you have a pet dog or cat in your house?

We treat them as part of the household; we are obliged to give proper care and attention for them to make them look good and healthy, just like what we are doing to other family members.

There are different pet parlors where you can bring your pet dogs and cats to have them groomed properly. Pet parlor owners also give some basic home pet grooming tips and advices for pet owners to follow so that they can personally attend to their pets grooming needs.

Have your Dog the Best Look

Pet dogs are one of the most adventurous pet animals. They tend to explore different parts of the house, backyard, and even in the streets. Because of this, they acquire different smell (a stinky one, for instance), their furs are stained, and different parasites sticks to their body and make them itchy.

Proper hygiene practices that are similar to human beings are one of the basics in dog grooming. It is important that you give your dog the best bath. Below are the tips to help you bathe your dog successfully.

Prepare the bathtub and the bath supplies that you will use in bathing your pet dog. Make the bathroom comfortably warm so that you can encourage your dog to have it bathe. Gather all the pet bath supplies such as dog shampoo, bucket, towel, and hair dryer that will be used before bringing them into the bathroom.

After you have gathered these bath supplies, bring your dog to the bathroom. Pet them and make them comfortable while you are waiting for the water to reach a soothing temperature ideal for them.

Bathe them in the tub by using a bucket to splash water on their body. You can also use a hose with a sprayer on the end.

Use medicated dog shampoos against fleas and ticks. You can also have shampoos of sweet scent and good for your dogs sensitive skin.

Just a reminder: Never use dish soaps or your own shampoo because it will plague your dog with painful skin irritations. If you are not sure of what dog shampoos and soaps are fit for them, consult your veterinarian first.

Once you have splashed their body with water, apply now their shampoo. Be sure that you will not let the shampoo reach their eyes. Massage their body carefully. Rinse it with water once again.

Dry them using a towel first. Wipe their paws gently. Give extra attention to their ears, for any moisture cam lead to wax and bacteria build up that can lead to ear infections.

Then use a hair dryer. Set the dryer to its medium setting and place it at least six inches from your dogs fur so that it will not burn. Continue drying until their furs are dry, but not completely. Then brush through their hair as you dry it to give it style.

Hydrophobic Cat Grooming Tips

It is a well-known fact that cats are really afraid of water. It is a challenge for you to lure your pet cat to take a bathe. Here are some pointers that you can consider in bathing your pet:

Make the water warm. Cats have high body temperature than ours, so it will make them comfortable if you will bathe them in warm water. Nevertheless, it must not be too hot for them.

Have them bathe in a flat surface. You can also place it in a rubber mat so that they will not slip.

Splash a little amount of water on their body. Use a hose with sprayer if necessary.

Apply a little amount of cat shampoo in their furs. Be sure it will not get into their eyes or else it will irritate them. Use shampoos specifically intended for them.

After rinsing, dry them by using a towel and then later on a hair dryer in medium setting. Be sure you will not dry their furs completely. Use a brush to style their furs.

So there you have the basic tips in grooming your pet dogs and cats. Make them the most-groomed pets you ever had.

Grooming your dog has never been easier with the right grooming tools out in the market nowadays. From bathing up to trimming their nails, there are grooming equipments which makes grooming experience easier and enjoyable for both ends. Even though there are times that it is hard to give your stubborn dog the cleaning he needs, it is solely your responsibility as their master to maintain their cleanliness and well being. Here are some grooming equipments that should always be consider to properly clean and groom your dog.Dog Shampoo, Conditioner Dog shampoos and conditioners are the basic essentials to properly wash away dirts which your dog acquires from his daily activities. In choosing the best dog shampoo and conditioner you have to consider how often you need to clean your dog. Giving your dog a bath should depend on how dirty he is, it is because frequent bathing will strips away his natural protective oil that irritates their already sensitive skin. The best way to tell if your dog needs a bath is through his smell and of course his appearance. But if your dog is involved with too much outdoor activity choose a dog shampoo that is mild and has a moisturizing effect. A conditioner specifically formulated for dry skin is also recommended to give your dog the extra moisture and for a longer lasting clean smell as well.Never use a human shampoo on your dog; because human shampoo has a higher PH level that can irritate you dogs skin and also their eyes. Not to mention dog shampoo has an easy rinse formula and also deodorize well and leave your dog’s coat shiny for a longer time compared to human shampoo that is formulated for human hair.Dog Nail Clipper and Dog Hair ClipperDogs nail should not be taken for granted for it is one of the most important in taking good care of your pets health. Dog nails is one of the most favorite living areas of germs in which also could cause an infection. Dog hair clipper is also an essential tool in grooming your dogs long hair and also a great solution in giving your dog an immediate relief to some skin problems. Before using the dog hair clippers make sure that your dogs hair is thoroughly dry. Do not use clippers made for human beings, it is because human hair clippers will not stand up to the rigors of dog grooming. By using dog hair clipper you can give your dog the special cut that will boost their appearance which will definitely make you hug them.Dog Brush and CombFor long haired dogs, frequent brushing is a must to avoid tangles in their hair. Brushing your dogs hair before bathing is also recommended to remove dead hairs, that is because water creates tight matts in the loose hairs.Dog Dental Care SuppliesAs many veterinarian said, oral disease affects over 80% of dogs by the time they’re three years old. This could only mean that dental care should not be taken for granted. You can use a dental finger brush with a dental gel for dog and gently rub their teeth. Do not use toothpaste made for human being for it might upset your dogs stomach and might scare your dog from the taste of human toothpaste. There are also dental chews that can help massage your dogs gum while reducing plaque and tartar.