Web DogVetCare.com
Dog Vet Care

Expert Dog Vet Info
Arthritis
Allergies
Canine Cancer
Dental Health
Holistic Vet Care
Spay/Neuter
Vaccinations
Home
Dog Owner Info
Blog
Training
Dog Articles
Dog Photos
Submit Your Story

Contact Us




Your dog looks to you to keep him healthy. Find information here on dog cancer, arthritis, allergies, dental health, holistic vet care, spaying & neutering your dog and vaccinations.

 

 

Check out the new articles added recently on Canine Cancer & check back soon for more information on Dental Health & Allergies.

 

Sheltie with Allergies

September's Article: Fall Cleaning for Your Dog

It was a rough & tumble Summer. Your dog went everywhere with you & has the matted hair & odor to prove it. Going into autumn, with Winter creeping up, here's some tips to get your pooch cleaned up & make it a healthy winter.

If your dog has any matted hair, first try to gently work it out. If it's too far gone, the only hope is taking out the scissors & carefully cut out the offending lumps of hair. If your dog has burdocks, those can usually be removed by breaking them apart first and then removing them. Pay special attention to under your dog's ears & his underbelly. Mats near the ears can come from dogs play rough with each other.

Once you have the mats out, spending a little time trimming those wild hairs. Start under the ears to help keep them clean, work on the tail feathers & if your dogs are anything like my "Furry Paws", spend some time with the hair between the toes. This is especially important in Northern climates where we tend to get more snow. Excessive hair in the paws can cause painful 'snowballs' which can lead to frostbite if not taken care of.

Now that you have the mats out & trimmed up the hair, spend some time brushing. Here you're working to remove the loose hair that's coming out in preparation for their winter coat. It's usually their under coat that's coming out & in some dogs it's coming out in clumps. A couple of days spent brushing will help with this shedding process.

You're now ready for a bath. Choosing a natural shampoo for your dog is important, especially if they have sensitive skin. When washing, spend some time lathering your dog up & then let the shampoo on to let it work in. When you're rinsing, take the time to make sure you have all the shampoo out. Work on all the nooks & cranny's to ensure there's no shampoo left. Towel dry your dog...and then try to keep them from running outside & rolling!

An added benefit of spending this grooming time with your dog is to also look him over for any lumps, bumps or deformities that are hidden by his coat. When washing, run your hands over your dog's entire body, checking for anything abnormal. If you spot something, take note of it & call your vet.



© Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Please consult your own veterinarian. DogVetCare.com is not intended to replace your veterinarian.
Advice here is for informational purposes only.