Barks and Cats CO

Running across a town with well groomed animals is rare in this day and age but here it is
In this economy, many of us are finding ways to save money. If you are a dog owner you know all too well how expensive it is to take your dog in for grooming. However, with a little practice, you can begin grooming your dog at home, saving a bundle of money in the long run. 56

A usual grooming for a dog includes a hair trim, a bath, a blow dry, brushing of the teeth, cleaning around the eyes (for certain breeds that tear), cleaning the ears, and trimming the nails. You will need to go to your local pet or discount store and get a pet grooming kit. The kit will include all of the equipment you will need for a thorough grooming of your dog. Be sure to read the instructions first. You will want to know exactly how to use the equipment BEFORE you start on the dog. 95

The first thing you will want to do is thoroughly brush your dog’s hair and make sure you remove any mats. Mats, if left unattended, are hot spots for bacteria and yeast infections. Start at your dog’s neck and head and work your way down the back, under the belly, and finally the hind legs and tail. What type of brush you use depends on the breed as well as the length of your dog’s hair. Short-haired dogs are usually brushed with a curry brush or glove, whereas long-haired dogs may require a pin brush or undercoat rake. You can even use a human hair brush or comb. The point is to make sure all mats and loose hair are removed and the oils from the skin are distributed. Be sure to have treats handy and give constant praise to your dog for sitting still. 147

Next up are the eyes, ears, teeth, and nails. An eye cleaning usually only consists of wiping away eye boogers, however, for white haired dogs you might need to get a “tear stain” product to remove any staining around the eyes. To clean the ears, you can use ear cleaning solution – at room temperature as cold water is painful – on a cotton ball and wipe the ear out gently. A drop of rubbing alcohol will dry any water in the ear as well as kill any bacteria, yeast, and mites. NOTE: Your dog will more than likely resist you when you are cleaning the ears. Be sure to give a treat when the cleaning is over and lots of praise! To clean the teeth you can use a glove with soft bristles attaches to gently scrape any plaque off the teeth. If your dog already has a lot of plaque, it might be best to have your vet do a thorough cleaning initially so you can handle the maintenance thereafter. A gentle tooth scrub 2 to 3 times a week and an occasional frozen bone will keep the teeth clean and healthy. Last but not least, are the nails. Depending on the dog and the rate of growth, nails may have to be clipped every week. Use dog clippers from the kit you purchased to trim a small amount off. In the event you accidentally clip too much and hit a blood vessel, styptic powder or corn starch will stop any bleeding. 253

Your dog is now ready for a bath. You may want to attach a harness somewhere in the shower to prevent a soapy wet dog from jumping out of the tub and running through the house. It is also best to use a hose attachment to easily reach all areas of your dog’s body. Beginning at the head, thoroughly soak the dog. Once the dog is completely wet it is time to start shampooing. It is wise to use diluted shampoo to prevent any residue. Slowly work the shampoo from the head to the back legs and tail, massaging as you go to work the shampoo into the hair. For double-coated dogs you will need to use a curry brush to make sure the shampoo is distributed to all of the hair. When you see no more dirt or soap in the water running off the dog, the dog is completely rinsed. Towel dry your dog as best as you can. You can let your dog outside in the summer sun to dry naturally or you can get your dog accustomed to the hair dryer on the cool setting. You will need to do research on your dog’s particular breed to determine how much drying and brushing is necessary at this point. 213

You now have a home-groomed dog and have saved yourself a lot of money! Be proud of yourself and your dog for taking this monumental step! Grooming your dog will get easier as you practice and you will get into a routine your dog will soon be accustomed to. 50

Many people make the mistake of adopting a cat thinking it will fine alone all day with a few toys and a scratching post. Some reason that a cat is self-entertained and low-maintenance. This is very far from the truth. A bored cat is a destructive cat. A sedentary cat that becomes overweight opens itself up to a host of health problems that can lead to diabetes, arthritis, kidney failure, etc. A cat is a serious responsibility that should be thoroughly thought out before bringing one home. Here are a few tips to keeping your cat healthy mentally and physically.

Feeding
Controversy surrounds what and how much to feed your cat, much like it surrounds us as humans. Here are a few basics to help you make your decision. Cats are meat eaters. Their bodies are adapted for metabolizing animal protein and fats, and require two to three times more protein than dogs or humans. The food you choose should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates. The protein can be either animal based or plant based. You will have to watch and see which your cat prefers. Avoid food that is mostly artificial colors and ingredients. Animals require nutrients, not ingredients.

Wet food is usually high in protein and water. This is very healthy for your cat. Dry food can be a good supplement to your cat’s diet as long as it is low in carbohydrates and is nutritionally sound. Do not leave a bowl of dry food out all day. Feed your cat twice a day and remove the bowl when the cat finishes. Make sure there is fresh water available all day. Your cat will get used to this routine.

Playing
Cats are hunters so any game that involves “catching” something will be fun to them. You should play a game like this twice a day for at least 10 minutes with your cat. You can drag feathers or ribbons behind you that make them feel like they are hunting. A laser pointer can also provide lots of fun. Be sure not to point it at their eyes.  Other ideas for toys are crumpled paper or ping pong balls. A play house that they can play in, roll around in, even sleep in, can also be fun. A scratching post is also beneficial. Games and toys like this will provide your cat exercise, as just having the run of the house is not enough to keep them at a healthy weight, any more than it is for you.

It is important too to provide your cat mental stimulation. If you place a bird feeder outside the window so that your cat can sit comfortably and watch, it will provide hours of entertainment for them. A fish aquarium will do much the same. Now and then, allow you cat to “hunt” for their food. You can do this by placing a trail of dry nuggets that will lead them to their “prey”, in this case it would be their bowl or a special treat.

Grooming
Your cat should have its coat brushed regularly to remove loose hair and knots, especially if it has long hair. Your cat will more than likely love this attention as the brush stimulates nerve endings and can be very relaxing to them. Be sure to trim your cats nails regularly too. If you get your cat accustomed to this when it is a kitten it will be easy to do this as the cat gets older. If not, it might be best to have the vet do it.

Having a cat is a great responsibility, however, it is also an enjoyable one. Your cat will provide endless years of loving companionship and entertainment. Treat them well.

Should My Dog Wear A Seatbelt In the Car?

Writing from a perspective for those of us that are dog lovers, our dog’s happiness and care is paramount. We spend a tremendous amount of time ensuring our dog is comfortable with beds that are soft, chew toys that are good for the gums and teeth, regular visits to the Vet for up-to-date care, etc. We go to great lengths to shower our dogs with love and they quickly become members of our family.

What about car safety? For us as humans, one of the first things we do when we get in the car is make sure our children are safely strapped in, then we put our own seat belts on. However, what about your dog? Allowing your dog to roam the car freely while you are driving is very dangerous. A dog can be very distracting. In the event of an accident a dog is more likely to be killed if it is roaming freely.

If you have a dog that loves to go for rides, perhaps it is time to think about getting him/her accustomed to a seat belt. The benefits to strapping your dog in a seat belt are the same as for you. In the event of a collision, the seatbelt will help protect your dog from smacking the windshield or flying out of the car. A seat belt will also prevent your dog from hitting the hard interior of the car and injuring itself in situations where you need to slam on your brakes.

There are many types of dog seat belts out there. Which one is best? This depends on the size of your dog and how much mobility you want them to have while you are driving. There is the travel harness which fits nicely over the chest of your dog, holding them comfortably in place. The harness is attached to the seatbelt buckle on the car seat. This allows your dog to sit and look out the window. You can use a dog crate placed in the back luggage section of the vehicle. This allows safe mobility for your pet, but more than likely, will not allow them to look out any windows. For dogs that get car sick, this might not be the best option. There are tethers that kind of “lock” your dog in place, allowing minimal mobility. There is also a zip line type of harness that you can attach your dog to that allows them to safely move back and forth in the seat. This allows a more active dog better mobility in safe conditions.

As you can see, there are many types of seat belts out there for your dog. There is no doubt you will be able to find one that suits you as well as your dog’s temperament and needs while traveling. The main point is that your dog will be safe in the event of an accident! Putting your dog safely in a seat belt is just another way we show our dog love and protection.