Posts tagged "grooming"

Amy D. Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 23 pet care books, including "Complete Kitten Care" and "Complete Care for Your Aging Cat."

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Many cat owners discover wads of wet fur -- hairballs -- late at night when they step on them with bare feet. Cats seem to instinctively choose to decorate the most stainable portions of the carpet.

It's normal for cats -- especially those with long fur -- to experience hairballs once in a while. Cats spend up to 50 percent of their time awake grooming, and swallow fur in the process. What doesn't end up in the litter box comes out the other end as nasty cigar-shaped hairballs.

But swallowing lots of fur isn't healthy, and hairballs are more than a nasty nuisance. Kitties that produce three or more hairballs a month should be checked by the vet to rule out other health issues. Hairballs cause diarrhea, appetite loss, coughing, retching, constipation -- or even deadly intestinal blockage. Cats have had hairballs as big as baseballs that require surgery to be removed! Most cases won't need surgery, though, and most hairballs can be easily eliminated. Refer to these tips to untangle your cat's hairball problems.

For those who love pets, it seems natural that you'd want to make a living from working with them. After all, what could be more fun than washing and grooming cute, furry dogs all day? Well Jan Nieman did just that -- for 21 years. And she has quite the story to tell about it in her recent book Going to the Dogs: Confessions of a Mobile Pet Groomer.

All from the comfort of a mobile pet-grooming van cruising around the Baltimore area, Nieman groomed just about everything -- dogs, cats, you name it! Many times, hilarity ensued. Such a case was when she groomed Spaz, a large springer spaniel, who more than lived up to his name, she says.

"With all legs scrambling in four different directions, he knocked over my super-sized drink and soaked my beige smock," Nieman recounts in her book. "Fortunately, it was a clear Sprite and although drenched, I was not Coke brown. At the end of Spaz's grooming, we were both worn out. He had nipped at the brush and wound up with bristles in his nose. When I sprayed him, he snapped at the water. In the past he'd gone berserk with the blow dryer and attempted to eat it. I didn't mind. That allowed me to towel dry him and save some time. He was a good old boy, just a bit of a 'Spaz.'"

As the summer heat escalates to oven-like temperatures, the thought of donning a fur coat may be unbearable. So how can you help ease your dog's discomfort during sweat-inducing heat spells? Paw Nation spoke with Beth Recchia, Owner and Director of Furry Tails Grooming Salon and School of Pet Grooming and Kathleen White, Owner of The South Carolina School of Dog Grooming about how to groom your dog's fur for optimal coolness.

Here is the question everyone asks: Should pet owners shave their dogs for the summer?
Some dog owners think their pooch would be more comfortable shaved, but many professionals insist that dogs' coats are already equipped to deal with hot temperatures. "I believe that all dogs should be left in their natural coat if possible," said White. "We sometimes have to give in to what the customer wants, but a dog's coat insulates them for hot and cold weather."

If the owner does prefer to pare down the fur, which type of haircut is best for dogs in the hot weather?
Hair styles do vary by breed, but Recchia recommends a generic "buzz cut" for her furry clients rather than shaving. "It's a very short cut which removes excess fur, thus preventing shedding," she tells us. "[Dogs] are much easier to bathe over the summer with less fur, and it's also great for preventing ticks and fleas. You can spot pests much more easily."

White advises her customers to allow the groomer to leave some fur for sunburn protection and insulation.

Is all your pet stuff -- chewies, brushes, etc. -- junking up your otherwise attractive home? Never fear! Martha is here! The domestic diva and Petsmart are launching Martha Stewart Pets, a collection of pet essentials featuring Martha's classic style and classy colors. Grooming and bathing supplies, toys, collars, leashes and the delicately-described "waste management tools" are a few of the items that will be included.

Standouts include crochet chew toys ($9.99) and a grooming/bathing tote ($19.99), which can be stuffed chock full of the accessories (sold separately) you need to keep your pet looking good.

The collection will be available at Petsmart today with prices ranging from $4.99 to $59.99. Will you be scooping up anything new for your pup?

Creative dog grooming, where everyday pooches are painted and sculpted into lions and zebras and more, has raised the hackles of many Paw Nation readers, and delighted plenty of others. The one question that everyone asks when they see photos of the dogs, such as the ones Paw Nation has featured, is: What do these groomers do to the dogs to make the transformation happen?

To find out, check out TLC's "Extreme Poodles," which premieres Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT. TLC invites viewers to go into the world of creative dog grooming competitions to watch, the "creative, frantic, and competitive groomers trying to craft their dogs into remarkable works of art -- all leading up to two and a half hours of live competition."

Our friends at Popeater had the opportunity to play with the stylized poodles when they held a photo shoot for the fabulous four-legged models. Like what you see below? Hate what you see? Either way, if you tune in Sunday, let us know what you think!

While most pets don't indulge in vices such as smoking or drinking, some animals share one seemingly unhealthy behavior with humankind: nail biting. Whether your pet is a chronic nail muncher, or just takes an occasional chew, here's what you should know.

Why Pets Chew Their Nails
According to Christina Shusterich, Canine Behavior Counselor and president of NY Clever K9, Inc. cats bite their nails as part of a grooming routine. They do this "in order to clean them, as well as to get rid of the older, outer sheath of the nail." This often occurs when a cat's nails are overgrown and could use a trim.

Nail chewing in dogs, however, is not normal. They may bite their nails "from itchiness due to allergies or an infection. They could also be biting out of boredom or anxiety." Excessive nail biting by either cats or dogs can be harmful, as it can "cause bleeding, irritation, and infections," says Shusterich.

Dealing With The Problem
There are several steps you may want to try to take care of excessive nail chewing.

Diagnosing the Cause: It's always good to check with the vet when your animal exhibits obsessive behavior to see if there could be an underlying medical cause. But if you think your dog or cat is bored, anxious or has simply irritated his skin so much that he can't stop working it, then there are a few things you might want to try.

Deterring the Behavior: An anti-itch spray paired with a head cone can help ease skin irritation and keep the pet from further abrading it, giving the skin time to heal. "A good over-the-counter anti-itch spray with a taste deterrent is called Lido-Med," says Shusterich.

For those of us who consider our pets as members of our families, it can be difficult to resist the urge to splurge on pet toys and treats. But wouldn't it be nice if the money we spent not only benefited our pets, but also pets in need? Wouldn't you love to support companies that care?

Fortunately, there are many businesses that donate portions of their proceeds to charity. Here are three such companies:

LULODOG
Products: Organic grooming supplies (all ingredients are listed on the LuLoDog Web site) made in a cruelty-free manner. The shampoo we tested (Tangerine & Vanilla) comes in an attractive silver bottle with a pump top, which is so much easier to use than a regular squeeze bottle when you're also holding a dog in place! It was sudsy and smelled delicious, and when the scent wore off, we simply sprayed our pooches down with one of the organic fragrances.

What They Donate: LuLoDog, along with its sister company Wolfe & Sparky (featured after the jump), created and support Pause for Paws, a program which helps dog shelters and rescue organizations throughout the country. They've pledged to donate one of their products for each one that is sold, which means that with each purchase you make, you're also helping a homeless dog become clean and healthy.

Meet jet-setting show dog Curry, Paw Nation's newest advice columnist. In between competing at the top dog shows, Curry finds time to answer the questions all dogs long to ask. From grooming advice (Curry's competing at Westminster, so she knows a thing or two about looking gorgeous) to tips on getting along with the craziest of canines (she lives in Manhattan so she has to make friends with the many other dogs on the block), this 3-year-old Glen of Imaal terrier has all the answers to your crucial canine queries.

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You are so glamorous that I have to ask: what should a single, slightly overweight fox terrier like me do to look great? Do you have any beauty secrets from your showgirl friends?
Liza from Georgia

A girl should always put her best paw forward, and that's the very place where I start with my beauty routine. It's all about the nails, darling. Make sure you get them trimmed regularly. I recommend grinding them instead of cutting because that can sometime hurt. Being a city girl myself, I like to keep mine as short as possible to cut down on the clickety-clack noise I make when running up and down on my gorgeous wooden floors. (Madge, the rottweiler in the apartment downstairs, is very noise sensitive.) A good manicure will make you feel like a million bucks.

Next, treat yourself to a bath. The water should be warm, not hot. A genius trick to remember is to brush or clip out any mats before you jump in. Wet matty hair is scarier than getting adopted by Paris Hilton!

Now we come to the most important part: The haircut. The right trim can hide a multitude of figure flaws and give the illusion that you are any shape you want to be. I wear mine a little longer on my legs and head, and shorter on my back. I recommend you do the same if you are a plus-size girl

Finally, remember to have fun with your look. Try different hairstyles; it always grows back. Well, for most pooches. I do know a poodle that wears a hairpiece!

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Ask Curry your questions by e-mailing her at curry@pawnation.com.

Winter can be a magical time for dogs. Squirrel visibility rises when the ground is white, and cuddling by the fireplace can be undeniably cozy; but winter's whipping winds and dry indoor heating can take its toll on fur and skin.

For advice on how to care for your canine companion's grooming needs when the temperature drops, Paw Nation caught up with professional groomer Cassandra Reed, a Season 2 contestant on Animal Planet's "Groomer Has It" and owner of Mutley Dooz in Akron, Ohio.

1. A little extra hair helps
It's never a bad idea to ask your groomer to leave your dog's coat longer than usual during the winter. "As a groomer, when I groom dogs in the winter, I leave a little extra hair between the toes," says Reed. "I'd like to think that it helps keep them a little bit warmer."

2. Keep skin moisturized
An easy way to keep your dog's skin hydrated is bathing them at home with ultra-moisturizing oatmeal or shea-butter shampoo or conditioner. Reed stresses that you should always use all-natural shampoos that don't contain any artificial dyes, as these may trigger an allergic reaction or worsen itchy, dry skin.

Learning how to groom a dog is one of the easiest ways to trim money from your dog-care budget. Here's how to get your dog clean and shiny!

Brush Your Dog's Coat
Dogs with different types of fur require different types of brushes. Longhairs require what's called an undercoat rake and should be brushed for at least five minutes, while shorthairs require what's called a slicker brush and can just be given a quick once over.

Give Your Dog a Wet Wash
As most dog owners know, the trickiest part of a bath can be just getting your dog to stay in the tub or under the shower. For larger dogs, you might want to try getting into the shower with your dog and keeping it still between your legs. (Of course, this means you're taking a shower, too!) Also, some self-service grooming parlors have tubs with collars attached to the tub wall by a short cord to prevent the dog from escaping.

If your dog will tolerate it, gently insert cotton balls into its ears beforehand to prevent suds from entering the ear canal. Any gentle pet shampoo should do; dogs who have dry skin should also be given a conditioner. Always rinse very well to prevent itching later on. Towel-dry your dog and brush its coat again. For longhairs, wait until the fur has completely dried before brushing to prevent follicle breakage.

If you've ever owned a dog, it's likely you've experienced some sort of fur-related disaster -- a horrible smell, a sticky substance, an accidental dye job, the list goes on and on. It's one thing if said disaster makes your furry friend a little less cuddly for a day or so, but a whole other issue if your job is to make a pet look and smell perfect.

The American Kennel Club, which hosts next month's Meet the Breeds event in New York City, put us in touch with two top groomers -- Shirlee Kalstone and Jonathon David (of "Groomer Has It" fame). They told us about some of the stickiest situations they've ever faced, and shared some tricks of the trade that you can try at home!

David, who travels the country participating in grooming competitions, relies on his contacts living near the events to lend him stunning dogs. For one such occasion, he was referred to a woman who owned two Kerry Blue Terriers (a competition favorite).

When we first heard about the Dog-o-Matic, we thought its inventor was insane (and maybe a little cruel). But when we read cats could also be put into, well, we just had to see it.