The Dog Owner’s Guide to Grooming

Proper grooming is essential for helping your dog look and feel great. Not only is it much more enjoyable to live with a clean dog instead of a smelly one, but grooming plays an important role in a dog’s overall health. In terms of what grooming involves, baths, brushing, trimming nails and haircuts are the main activities. Let’s take a closer look at each one of those in detail:

Bathtime

Although consistent baths are just as important for dogs as they are for humans, one big difference between the two is dogs don’t need to be bathed as often. While the exact frequency will depend on the breed of a dog and its living environment, the main rule of thumb is to do a maximum of one bath a week. The other key difference between baths for dogs and humans is it’s important to use soap & shampoo specifically formulated for dogs.

Brushing

Being consistent with brushing will help keep your dog’s hair and skin healthy. Brushing on a regular basis is one of the most effective ways to prevent skin irritation in dogs. For dogs that shed a noticeable amount of hair, brushing will help minimize the amount that ends up around your home. In terms of brushing frequency, you’ll want to research the optimal interval for your specific breed of dog.

Trimming Nails

Some dogs are so active outside and on other hard surfaces that their nails don’t ever get to the point of needing a trim. However, that’s the exception rather than the rule. For most dogs, a trim every one to four weeks is necessary to keep them from getting so long that they run the risk of breaking. Of all the activities involved in comprehensive grooming, nail trimming is the one that generally gives dog owners the most anxiety.

That’s why there’s nothing wrong with leaving this task in the hands of an experienced professional. And if you would like to trim your dog’s nails yourself but aren’t sure which technique is best, you can ask a groomer to teach you. If you are going to do any trimming yourself, be sure to invest in a quality pair of clippers designed specifically for dogs’ nails.

Haircuts

If your dog has certain areas of hair that grow faster than others, it may make sense to invest in scissors so you can trim those spots on your own. But for full haircuts, it’s almost always worth paying for a groomer to do the job. By taking time to ask for recommendations and finding a groomer that you feel great about, you’ll be able to keep your dog’s hair trimmed to the ideal length all year long.

When combined with a healthy diet like Pet Wants that contains all the nutrients necessary for healthy skin and hair, a consistent grooming routine will keep your dog looking and feeling its best!

What Can Cat Owners Do About Hairballs?

As a new cat owner, it’s completely normal to have a lot of questions about your pet. One of the most common issues that comes up is that of hairballs. To fully understand this topic, it’s important to start with why they develop in the first place. Cats are very particular about their grooming. It’s why they have no problem carefully licking their coats for hours. And once they finish, a cat may choose to promptly start again.

Because cats spend so much time licking their coats, it’s only natural that they’re going to end up swallowing some of their fur. Fortunately, this isn’t a new experience for cats, which is why their digestive systems are usually capable of easily passing small amounts of fur without any issues. However, there are times when hair can get trapped in a cat’s stomach.

When this first happens, it’s usually not a problem due to the small amounts of hair. But if the hair continues to build up inside a cat’s stomach, it can form a hairball. Since a hairball can be uncomfortable for a cat, they will usually try to gag and hack in an attempt to vomit it up.

Despite the fact that a cat may not look very happy when they’re trying to throw up, the good news is most hairballs are not a serious issue. If a cat stops retching within three days, you generally don’t have to worry. In the event that retching does continue or a cat has constipation or refuses food for more than 24 hours, it may be a sign of an intestinal or other digestive blockage. That type of blockage can be deadly if it’s not addressed, so getting your cat to a vet is very important.

In cases that don’t involve a hairball causing a blockage, we’ve got a few helpful tips to make it easier for your cat to pass a hairball or even prevent them from forming in the first place:

Check for Fleas

If you notice your cat is grooming more than normal, it may be a sign of fleas. You can reduce your cat’s need to groom by eliminating the fleas.

Be Consistent with Brushing and Combing

Cats can shed a lot, which is why it’s worth brushing and combing on a daily basis. This is especially true during the warmer months of the year. It’s also helpful to use a wet wipe after brushing to get rid of any lingering loose hairs.

Give Your Cat a Distraction

Some cats have a compulsion to lick. By regularly playing with your cat and providing other forms of entertainment, you can help reduce your cat’s urges to constantly groom.

Increase Fiber Intake

Fiber can make it easier for cats to pass hair and even hairballs. Experts recommend a food blend with at least 3.5% fiber, which is exactly what Pet Wants has in its adult cat formula.