Grooming is Good for Your Pet's Health


 That's right! Grooming isn't just to make your pet

 pretty or handsome. A lot of people believe grooming

 is just for aesethic purposes and not part of the dog's

 overall health. Nothing could be further from the truth

 depending on the breed of your dog.

                                                           

                                                            

           






              How does grooming affect your pets health?

 What happens when a dog becomes a matted, tangled mess?

 If you're a woman, imagine hot rollers wound too tightly to your head. Imagine  

  having to constantly endure that feeling as you carry on with your daily life. He 

  suffers in silence while his circulation is being hampered, not to mention the skin

  sores and infections that might be brewing.

Hygiene Keeping a long hired dogs genital areas neatly

clipped prevents urine scald and problems defecating. If

matting completely covers his rectal area it can actually

prevent him from being able to poop.

Eyes  Some long haired breeds have a lot of tearing which can build up and and

 cake over causing severe irritation and even infection. Tear residue can harden

 into a gummy mass and stick to the skin underneath. It then becomes difficult to

 remove. You can help prevent this in between grooming sessions by keeping this

 area dry and clean.

Nails  Nail care is a necessary part of every dogs overall care. If nails are allowed

 to grow too long, they can actually curl over into the pad underneath. This is

 extremely painful and may require medical intervention if it has gone too far. 

 Overgrown nails also make it difficult for the dog to walk properly, causing strain on

 the tendons and joints.

Feet  Many dogs get matted wads of hair between the pads. These are also painful 

 as they can become hard like pebbles embedded in the paw.

Ears  A lot of breeds, particularly long haired ones, have hair growing inside the ear  canal. This can lead to painful infections and can prevent medication from getting to 

 the desired place in the ear where it needs to be. A regular grooming schedule will

 include removal of this hair.

Pet Health

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Consider Grooming Needs

When Adopting a New Dog


 When adopting a particular dog breed or mix, be sure

 to include his grooming requirements on your list of  

 considerations.  A beagle, for example, will need very  

 little in the way of grooming.  A bath once in a while, a

 quick brush to remove dead hair and maybe a nail clip is

 all it takes. A maltese, on the other hand, is one of the

 highest maintenance breeds there is. Find out how much coat care your potential new family member will need. If you don't think you'll have the time, energy or finances to keep his fur in good shape, it would be better to look  for a short or smooth coated dog that will need less grooming attention.

Dental Disease is one of the most common health problems seen in dogs and cats.  This affects about 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over 3 years of age.  Unfortunately, most of the time it goes unidentified by pet owners because the outward signs tend to go unnoticed. 

Foods that can be toxic to animals

  •  Chocolate: Contains theobromine, a naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean, which in certain amounts can be poisonous to your dog. 
  • Avocados: The plant contains persin, which is a toxin that can make pets sick. But the main concern with pups around this fruit is the ingestion of the pit, which is a choking hazard.
  • Grapes and raisins: This sweet fruit is dangerous to dogs, potentially causing renal failure when ingested in large amounts.
  • Macadamia nuts: Macadamia nuts, foods that contain macadamia nuts, and the oil are all potentially fatal for dogs, making any of those special Valentine's Day candies filled with these specialty nuts seriously dangerous.
  • Onions and garlic: Allyl propyl disulfide, a component of onion oil, makes onions a big no-no for your dog. Eating large amounts can cause anemia as a result of breaking down the hemoglobin of your pup's red blood cells.
  • Rhubarb: Due to its tart flavor, rhubarb isn't something your dog may be attracted to, but it's still a good idea to keep it out of his reach. The plant contains soluble calcium oxalates, which, when absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, can cause renal failure.
  • Tomatoes: This red fruit contains tomantine and atropine, which can cause digestive issues for dogs. But it's actually the stems and leaves that are the biggest concern.
  • Stone fruits: Peaches, plums, cherries, and apricots have pits that contain cyanide, which is poisonous.
      If your dog exhibits odd behavior or if you are concerned that he may have ingested something questionable, call the PET POISON  HELPLINE

What can you do as a pet owner? 
* The best defense is prevention.

* Keep your pets teeth clean and healthy. Brushing their teeth is the best way. * A secondary way to keep teeth clean is a dental diet and dental chews. Look

   for the VOHC seal that indicates the product has met the standards for 

   effectiveness in retarding plaque and tarter.

 One of the best things a pet owner can do to insure the overall health of their pet is to do routine checking of the teeth, gums and oral cavity. 

What do we want to look for in identifying Periodontal Disease in our pets?

* Bad breath

* Pawing at the mouth

​* Excessive salivation

* Swelling at the face

​* Bleeding gums

​* Sneezing and nose discharge


​*Note: It is most likely your pet will continue to eat even with severe dental disease. It is possible they will eat their food whole to avoid the pain. 


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For example, if a long haired dog isn't brushed properly you are going to have a badly matted dog on your hands before you know it. It then becomes a health issue and a nightmare for both your dog and the groomer. When a dog gets so badly matted that he has to be shaved many times there will be sores underneath which are painful for the dog. Don't try to cut mats out yourself with scissors as it is very easy to grab a piece of skin and cut your dog.

A Contented Pet in 8 Easy Steps

  • Microchip your pet or put an identification tag on him so he can be returned to you if lost.

  • Enroll your new puppy or dog in behavioral training classes.

  • Have your pet examined thoroughly by a veterinarian at least once a year.

  • Don't feed your pet too much food.

  • Protect your pet from common household dangers such as human medicines and poisonous plants.

  • Have your pet spayed or neutered.

  • Devise an evacuation plan for your pet in the event of a fire, flood, hurricane, or tornado.

  • Make arrangements for your pet's care in case something happens to you. 

Your veterianarian plays an important part in keeping track of your pets  dental health by performing dental examinations during your routine vet visits. Make an appointment with your  veterinarian today to evaluate your pets dental health and if necessary schedule a dental cleaning to keep your pet healthy and happy.