Why is grooming so important?
Many people think that dog grooming is no more than form of pampering, to make the dog look good. However it is much more than that, it is an important part of the dog's care.
It helps to maintain the health and condition of the coat, ears, eyes, nails, paws, nose and mouth.
Frequency of grooming depends on the breed.
Owners prefer living with a clean dog rather than a smelly one with a matted coat and grooming prevents this. It also enables you check and maintain the dog's health, reducing the chance of various health problems.
The groomer can check cuts, heat, swelling, lameness and a change of temperament as well as any sign of possible illness. Spotting early signs enables prompt steps towards a cure, thus preventing chronic illness and keeping vets' bills down.
Daily checks, just to see that everything looks, smells, feels and sounds right, takes very little time and is usualy enjoyable for both the owner and it's dog.
Did you know that ...?
All of the following foods are dangerous or poisonous for your dog:
Chocolate, caffeine, oinons, garlic, chives, alcohol, avocado, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, yeast dough, bones, corn, artificial sweetener xylitol and milk....
Did you know that ...?
You can use cornstarch to groom your dog. Just rub the cornstarch into a dry coat and brush out with a slicker brush. Mats will slide out easily - cornstarch makes hair slippery so it brushes out easier. It can also absorb any grease.
Did you know that ...?
You can use dish soap for a very greasy or dirty coat. You need to use a conditioner after a strong degreaser in order to protect the hair and lubricate the skin. You can also kill fleas with a dish soap. If your dog has a fleas, rub the dish soap diluted with water on dry hair, let it sit for ten minutes, then rinse. The fleas will be dead or will drown when you rinse them.
Other helpful household products
Vinegar is another multipurpose product. Vinegar is good for yeasty skin as it helps to clease the skin and hair by removing any build up.
When diluted with water you can use it in a dog's ear as a medicated ear wash.
Do you know what to do in emegrency situations such as snake bite?
Snake bite
* Identify any changes after the bite
* Identify the snake (colour, size, distinctive markings)
* Stop the venom spreading in the body
* Seek immediate attention from your vet
* Treat as best you can (apply a pressure bandage to a limb bite) or bandage the wound tightly, as the blood flow must not be impeded. Do not wash the bite area or cut the wound
* Apply hand pressure to a body bite (face and jaws are quite common areas for dogs to be bitten)
* Keep talking to your dog and stroking it; it is good for both of you to feel a sence of reassurance and to keep calm
* Carry your dog at all times - the dog cannot be expected to walk, and any movement will spread the venom
* Expect recovery in 24--48 hours
Bee sting
* Remove the sting from your dog's skin using a pair of tweezers to prevent more venom from being released into dog's body
* Wash the wound using a damp cloth and mild soap, then apply an ice pack and compress to reduce swelling
* Relieve your dog's pain by administering a baking =soda poultice. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water that it creates a thick paste. Spread the mixture over the stung area.
Wasp sting
A wasp sting is alkaline and so we need to bathe it in a diluted acid solution to neutralise the effect. A good source of dilute acid vinegar, or lemon juice works brilliantly. A cold compress or ice pack will help to ease the irritation.
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