At-Home PET GROOMING TIPS
Does your favorite furball seem to be looking a little shaggy and unruly lately? Is it time to get out the brush? Yes! In fact, developing a good grooming routine can be beneficial to your pet’s overall health and happiness.
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thorough brushing is a quick way to make your pet look good and feel better, but there are other components of grooming that are equally important. Examining and caring for their skin, teeth, nails, eyes and ears are also vital parts of a good grooming practice. Most cats and dogs enjoy being brushed, so brushing is typically a good place to start your grooming routine. They will love your undivided attention, as well as the feel of the brush against their skin. While you are brushing them, pay close attention to their skin and anything that looks unusual; dry flakey patches, lumps or sores. (These are things you should report and review with your veterinarian.) Matted fur is also something that can be very problematic. Pets with matted fur can become very uncomfortable because of the constant tightness and pulling on their skin. Often times, such matts need to be removed by an experienced groomer or veterinarian. (You should never attempt to cut matted fur off with a pair of scissors or other sharp instrument.) Keeping up with a regular brushing routine can alleviate the problem of matted fur. Also, many cat parents wonder if their cats still need to be brushed since the average feline spends about 30% to 40% of their day self-grooming. Yes, it is important for a number of reasons. Brushing helps prevent the formation of hairballs and stimulates blood circulation. It becomes even more important to groom cats as they get older because they are less able to do it for themselves. While it may not be as fun as brushing, it is also important to take a look at your pet’s teeth and nails. When inspecting your 40
Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine • March/April 2021
pet’s teeth, pay particular attention to the gums and anything that appears unusually red or inflamed. Bleeding gums, uncommonly bad breath, or unusual bumps along the gum line should be reported to your veterinarian. Regular brushing of your pet’s teeth can greatly reduce the chance of tooth decay and gum inflammation. After your tooth inspection, take a look at your pet’s nails. Do they look too long? Are they curling under or hitting the pads of their feet? If so, it’s definitely time for a trim. Nails that are too long can impede your pet’s ability to walk comfortably and can eventually pierce into the soft pads of their feet. It can be very painful. Trimming the nails is necessary, but can be difficult if you are inexperienced in trimming them. Since cutting the nails too short can be extremely painful to your pet, many people opt to have a groomer or veterinarians take on the task. As a final step in your grooming routine, take a look at your pet’s ears and eyes. For tips on ear care see the article on Ear Infections in this issue. Eyes should be bright and clear of tear buildup. Many dog breeds tend to have a lot of tearing which can ultimately turn into a hard, gummy mess around the eyes. It is important to remove as much of this material as possible to prevent eye irritation. A warm, damp wash cloth usually works the best.
A regular at-home grooming routine help pets remain happy and healthy. You and your pet will enjoy your extra time together and you will gain first-hand knowledge of your pet’s overall health.
