TEETH
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NAILS
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EARS
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BATHING PETS
Why should we look after our animal’s coats? Why groom?
- Grooming creates a bond between pet and owner. The animal learns to allow people to handle it all over and becomes generally more manageable, especially in situations like the vets!
- Most animals enjoy being brushed or combed. They enjoy the attention and gentle touch.
- Regular grooming allows one to detect fleas, ticks, cuts, scratches or lumps and bumps. These can then be treated promptly.
- The animal looks nice and feels comfortable.
- Dead hair comes off outside and not all over the furniture!
- Animals with long coats absolutely require regular grooming or they will become matted. Matts are very uncomfortable and will require to be clipped off if they become too extensive. Matts disguise parasites and lumps and bumps and are uncomfortable for the animal. A filthy fur coat is not suited to the tropics
- Grooming also includes attention to the teeth, ears and nails.
- Your veterinarian or pet store can advise on suitable brushes and combs for your animal’s coat. Animals with longer hair should be thoroughly groomed at least twice a week, or daily for just a few minutes, to keep the coat in good condition.
These should be examined regularly for signs of tartar and smelly breath. The development of tartar (bacterial residue and old food particles which are laid down on the teeth and harden over time) and smelly breath is largely preventable with a good, chewy diet. The older the animal becomes, the more likely it is to have severe dental disease. It is important to examine your pet’s mouth regularly and if the teeth look dirty or the gums look inflamed, you should talk to your veterinarian about having them cleaned. Dental disease is very uncomfortable and painful for animals and if present it should be treated. Animals can be given rawhide chews to clean their teeth and big bones to chew on. This helps to stop tartar building up. You can even clean many dog’s teeth with special doggy toothpaste! However, if the teeth are bad, you will have to get the vet to clean them before you start a programme of preventative health care.
these should be kept trim, so they just touch the floor when the dog is standing. You should only use specially designed pet nail clippers to clip dogs nails, however, cats’ nails may be clipped with human nail clippers. If in doubt as to how to proceed, ask your veterinarian to show you how to clip the nails and you may be able to manage it at home next time. If the nail is clipped too short, cutting the quick, it will be very painful for the animal, so do not attempt this unless you know what you are doing. Dew claws, on the side of the animal’s leg, need attention too, as they may grow and cut into the dog’s skin. In long coated animals this will not be visible until the area is very sore. Regular exercise will help as will clipping in the correct fashion so the quick is not cut. Nails might also be filed. Cats will sharpen their nails on anything available, often the furniture if they are confined inside! Cats may be provided with scratching posts or encouraged to go outside and use trees to wear their nails down on. It is important to accustom animals to having their feet handled from an early age. Like us, many dogs and cats are sensitive about their paws, but cut paws and injuries need treating and it helps the vets greatly if the animal is not “foot shy.”
Animals with ear problems may shake their heads frequently, scratch at their ears, or carry their heads on one side. The ears may seem smelly and appear dirty inside or red and inflamed. Ears may become very waxy or infested with mites. Sometimes, foreign material such a grass seed may go down into the ear and cause intense irritation.
Wax is more common in older dogs and those with floppy ears. Cats can also produce too much wax. Wax can be dealt with medicated drops from the vet or a little baby oil dripped in and gently massaged around. The wax will float up from the ear canal and can be wiped away. One should NEVER poke anything, not even a cotton bud, down an animal’s ear.
Excess wax production may be a sign of infectious mite infestation. If in doubt, get the vet to check the dog or cat, as mites need a course of insecticidal drops to kill them and their eggs. Remember, ears are VERY sensitive and ear problems can be very painful. If in any doubt, see the vet.
Cats normally hate to be bathed and show their displeasure by scratching their owners’ hands and arms to pieces. Cats and even young kittens will keep themselves quite clean, although many enjoy the occasional brush and comb out from their owners, to help remove dead hair. Cats and kittens who have been exposed to chemicals, such as paint or solvents may well require bathing, but such cases should be discussed urgently with your veterinarian, who would advise you how to proceed.
Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not normally need much bathing either and will also generally keep themselves clean, although very young puppies, sick and elderly animals and dogs with long coats may require extra attention.
Too frequent bathing will strip the coat of its natural, protective gloss and make it dry and brittle. Even if your dog has come home covered in mud, he or she does not necessarily need a bath. Mud and dirt will generally come off very easily if left to dry and then gently brushed out.
If you do need to bath your dog, you should use a proper pet shampoo from your veterinarian or good pet shop. These products are designed for use on your dog and will not harm the skin or coat. Alternatively, a mild human baby shampoo may be used, but never strong products unless advised by your veterinarian.
