Guide To Grooming Your Cat
Joshua Simms asked:
Grooming is also a big part of having a cat. Just as you get a shower every day, do your hair, and whatever else your grooming entails, your cat needs to be groomed as well. Although you don’t need to bathe your cat on a daily basis, there are other things that need to be taken care of regularly.
Bathing your Feline Friend
You really don’t have to bathe your cat too often, especially if they are an indoor pet, but there will come the time that fluffy needs to get a bath. Giving your cat a bath is more of a two person job so you might need to ask someone to give you a hand. A good tip is to put something like a rug or towel in the tub that the cat can cling onto since there is a good chance the cat is going to freak out when it hits the water.
Make sure that you check the temperature of the water before you decide to dunk them; you need to make it a hot bath so they will be comfortable. Using shampoo specifically made for cats, start at the head and work your way down the body. You need to wash the head, ears and neck, don’t skip any spots when washing, but don’t get soap in your cat’s eyes. After your cat is washed and dried, keep them out of drafts until they are fully dry.
Making your Cat Look Pretty
If you start grooming your cat from an early age, they will love for you to take out the brush or comb and start grooming them. It’s important to brush your cat when you notice they are beginning to shed their hair, this is for your benefit and your cat’s. You cat will love having that extra hair removed, there will be less hairballs, and your furniture won’t have hair all over it. If you find the coat knotted when you are brushing, use your fingers to untangle the knot and not the brush or comb.
You also need to make sure that your cat’s nails are trimmed; you can choose to do this yourself or have a grooming service do it for you. If you decide to take the task on yourself, you need to get clippers that are especially designed for cats. You also need to be careful not to cut into the quick of the nail or you will end up injuring your cat, this is why many prefer to have a groomer take care of this chore. After the coat and the nails are taken care of, you need to make sure that your cat’s ears are clean…
Does any of this sound familiar to your own grooming habits?
Cleaning the ears should be done on a monthly basis. Do not use a cotton tip to clean your cat’s ears! This process should only be done with a cotton ball and some mineral oil or alcohol, do not go any further into the ear than you can see to avoid causing your cat injury. The last step in the grooming of your cat involved their dental care. Many cats suffer from plaque buildup and it can become quite a serious health problem. In order to avoid this you need to try cleaning your cat’s teeth.
Of course this might not be fully appreciated by your feline friend, but you need to wipe the cat’s teeth with a baking soda and water mixture. The only other way to ensure that your cat’s teeth get the attention that they need is to have your veterinarian look at their teeth and possibly perform a dental cleaning on them as well.
Grooming is also a big part of having a cat. Just as you get a shower every day, do your hair, and whatever else your grooming entails, your cat needs to be groomed as well. Although you don’t need to bathe your cat on a daily basis, there are other things that need to be taken care of regularly.
Bathing your Feline Friend
You really don’t have to bathe your cat too often, especially if they are an indoor pet, but there will come the time that fluffy needs to get a bath. Giving your cat a bath is more of a two person job so you might need to ask someone to give you a hand. A good tip is to put something like a rug or towel in the tub that the cat can cling onto since there is a good chance the cat is going to freak out when it hits the water.
Make sure that you check the temperature of the water before you decide to dunk them; you need to make it a hot bath so they will be comfortable. Using shampoo specifically made for cats, start at the head and work your way down the body. You need to wash the head, ears and neck, don’t skip any spots when washing, but don’t get soap in your cat’s eyes. After your cat is washed and dried, keep them out of drafts until they are fully dry.
Making your Cat Look Pretty
If you start grooming your cat from an early age, they will love for you to take out the brush or comb and start grooming them. It’s important to brush your cat when you notice they are beginning to shed their hair, this is for your benefit and your cat’s. You cat will love having that extra hair removed, there will be less hairballs, and your furniture won’t have hair all over it. If you find the coat knotted when you are brushing, use your fingers to untangle the knot and not the brush or comb.
You also need to make sure that your cat’s nails are trimmed; you can choose to do this yourself or have a grooming service do it for you. If you decide to take the task on yourself, you need to get clippers that are especially designed for cats. You also need to be careful not to cut into the quick of the nail or you will end up injuring your cat, this is why many prefer to have a groomer take care of this chore. After the coat and the nails are taken care of, you need to make sure that your cat’s ears are clean…
Does any of this sound familiar to your own grooming habits?
Cleaning the ears should be done on a monthly basis. Do not use a cotton tip to clean your cat’s ears! This process should only be done with a cotton ball and some mineral oil or alcohol, do not go any further into the ear than you can see to avoid causing your cat injury. The last step in the grooming of your cat involved their dental care. Many cats suffer from plaque buildup and it can become quite a serious health problem. In order to avoid this you need to try cleaning your cat’s teeth.
Of course this might not be fully appreciated by your feline friend, but you need to wipe the cat’s teeth with a baking soda and water mixture. The only other way to ensure that your cat’s teeth get the attention that they need is to have your veterinarian look at their teeth and possibly perform a dental cleaning on them as well.
Top Cat Breeds And Tips On Responsible Cat Breeding
Ken Charnly asked:
Cat breeding is not as easy as just letting cats mate. Breeding is not just about choosing cats to produce adorable kittens to earn money. To breed cats is not the same as to produce them. Breeding encompasses that stage.
Breeding cats involves scientific and systematic concepts. Producing cats involves only common sense. Breeding cats has an emotional aspect to it. Fulfillment does not come from mere moneymaking. Sacrifices have to be made to achieve the breeder’s goal: to safeguard the welfare of the cats.
A lot of things must be taken into consideration before breeding cats. Here is a guide to help us better understand the dynamic process of cat breeding.
- A cat breeder’s concern is the preservation or improvement of cat pedigree.
This is a serious matter. Selection of the parent cats is done on the basis of health, quality traits and reproducing capability. A breeder will never pair cats carelessly.
- A cat breeder is dedicated to learn more about cats.
A lot of things must be learned regarding cat breeding. Latest researches must be employed to properly select the cats to be bred. The welfare of the cats depends on how much the breeder knows.
- A cat breeder makes plans.
Breeding does not involve hasty actions.
- A cat breeder has to follow rules set by the government.
Breeders are obliged to register their cats to their respective breeds. Certain taxes are imposed to hobbyists and to businessmen alike.
- A cat breeder’s primary motive is to take care of cats. Monetary motives come after this.
A cat’s life is more important than money. And it is more rewarding to see the kittens grow. The money earned is just an additional reward.
- A cat breeder’s responsibility to the cats does not end.
His care for his cats does not end when the kittens were sold.
- A cat breeder holds the future of the cat’s offspring.
Whatever a cat breeder does affects the life of the kittens, thus extra care must be given by cat breeders when making decisions.
- A cat breeder knows when to stop breeding.
Breeding is not just about having many cats. It is about taking care of all of them.
After learning about these things, it can be concluded that breeding is an arduous task indeed. However, for those who are cat breeders at heart, all these hardships are worth the kittens they bred (not produced)!
Cats are best bought from responsible cat breeders. Hobbyists choose to own purebred cats because their temperaments are more predictable than cats with unknown pedigrees.
If you are getting a cat from a cat breeder, ask him about the number of cat breeds that he has so you can choose from them. Also, ask him how many years he has been breeding cats and whether he can give you a health guarantee and complete papers for the cat.
Top cat breeds:
If you want to show off your cat then it is best to choose from among the top five cat breeds throughout the world.
1. Persian-Persian cats are called Persian for their country of origin. Persians have a long coat, sweet personality and have the ability to blend into the household. These are the qualities that made Persians one of the top choices of cat lovers. However, its long coat requires daily combing to avoid tangles.
2. Maine Coon-These are long-haired cats with good mouse hunting skills. These cats are good companions for children.
3. Exotic-This breed can offer you the better of two worlds. The Exotic cat has the look of a Persian cat, but it has short hair, making it easy to groom. They look like teddy bears with their thick and short coats. These cats are sweet and good companions like the Persians.
4. Siamese-Siamese cats originally came from Siam or Thailand. This cat possesses an aristocratic head, looks almost like a deer because of it’s stiff ears, and has a short coat. Siamese cats have long bodies, long legs and long necks.
5. Abyssinian-These cats are very elegant-looking, much like the cats portrayed in Egyptian sculptures. Abyssinia is the former name of Ethiopia. However, Abyssinian cats did not originate in Ethiopia. They got the name because the first cats of Abyssinian breed, which were exhibited in England, were from Abyssinia.
No matter what your choice of a cat breed is, make sure that your cat is healthy and that it has already been weaned. The ideal age to get a kitten is about 14 weeks, when their immune systems are already developed.
Cat breeding is not as easy as just letting cats mate. Breeding is not just about choosing cats to produce adorable kittens to earn money. To breed cats is not the same as to produce them. Breeding encompasses that stage.
Breeding cats involves scientific and systematic concepts. Producing cats involves only common sense. Breeding cats has an emotional aspect to it. Fulfillment does not come from mere moneymaking. Sacrifices have to be made to achieve the breeder’s goal: to safeguard the welfare of the cats.
A lot of things must be taken into consideration before breeding cats. Here is a guide to help us better understand the dynamic process of cat breeding.
- A cat breeder’s concern is the preservation or improvement of cat pedigree.
This is a serious matter. Selection of the parent cats is done on the basis of health, quality traits and reproducing capability. A breeder will never pair cats carelessly.
- A cat breeder is dedicated to learn more about cats.
A lot of things must be learned regarding cat breeding. Latest researches must be employed to properly select the cats to be bred. The welfare of the cats depends on how much the breeder knows.
- A cat breeder makes plans.
Breeding does not involve hasty actions.
- A cat breeder has to follow rules set by the government.
Breeders are obliged to register their cats to their respective breeds. Certain taxes are imposed to hobbyists and to businessmen alike.
- A cat breeder’s primary motive is to take care of cats. Monetary motives come after this.
A cat’s life is more important than money. And it is more rewarding to see the kittens grow. The money earned is just an additional reward.
- A cat breeder’s responsibility to the cats does not end.
His care for his cats does not end when the kittens were sold.
- A cat breeder holds the future of the cat’s offspring.
Whatever a cat breeder does affects the life of the kittens, thus extra care must be given by cat breeders when making decisions.
- A cat breeder knows when to stop breeding.
Breeding is not just about having many cats. It is about taking care of all of them.
After learning about these things, it can be concluded that breeding is an arduous task indeed. However, for those who are cat breeders at heart, all these hardships are worth the kittens they bred (not produced)!
Cats are best bought from responsible cat breeders. Hobbyists choose to own purebred cats because their temperaments are more predictable than cats with unknown pedigrees.
If you are getting a cat from a cat breeder, ask him about the number of cat breeds that he has so you can choose from them. Also, ask him how many years he has been breeding cats and whether he can give you a health guarantee and complete papers for the cat.
Top cat breeds:
If you want to show off your cat then it is best to choose from among the top five cat breeds throughout the world.
1. Persian-Persian cats are called Persian for their country of origin. Persians have a long coat, sweet personality and have the ability to blend into the household. These are the qualities that made Persians one of the top choices of cat lovers. However, its long coat requires daily combing to avoid tangles.
2. Maine Coon-These are long-haired cats with good mouse hunting skills. These cats are good companions for children.
3. Exotic-This breed can offer you the better of two worlds. The Exotic cat has the look of a Persian cat, but it has short hair, making it easy to groom. They look like teddy bears with their thick and short coats. These cats are sweet and good companions like the Persians.
4. Siamese-Siamese cats originally came from Siam or Thailand. This cat possesses an aristocratic head, looks almost like a deer because of it’s stiff ears, and has a short coat. Siamese cats have long bodies, long legs and long necks.
5. Abyssinian-These cats are very elegant-looking, much like the cats portrayed in Egyptian sculptures. Abyssinia is the former name of Ethiopia. However, Abyssinian cats did not originate in Ethiopia. They got the name because the first cats of Abyssinian breed, which were exhibited in England, were from Abyssinia.
No matter what your choice of a cat breed is, make sure that your cat is healthy and that it has already been weaned. The ideal age to get a kitten is about 14 weeks, when their immune systems are already developed.
Finding a Cat Breed That Works for You
Jay Schindler asked:
If dog is man’s best friend, then cats are a man’s caprice.
Aside from being expensive, purebred cats are difficult to care for as they require their owner’s love and attention. Cats are like babies, because they need to be fed, sometimes bathed, combed, played with and cared for.
Cats are best bought from responsible cat breeders. Hobbyists choose to own purebred cats because their temperaments are more predictable than cats with unknown pedigrees.
If you are getting a cat from a cat breeder, ask him about the number of cat breeds that he has so you can choose from them. Also, ask him how many years he has been breeding cats and whether he can give you a health guarantee and complete papers for the cat.
Top cat breeds
If you want to show off your cat then it is best to choose from among the top five cat breeds throughout the world.
1. Persian-Persian cats are called Persian for their country of origin. Persians have a long coat, sweet personality and have the ability to blend into the household. These are the qualities that made Persians one of the top choices of cat lovers. However, its long coat requires daily combing to avoid tangles.
2. Maine Coon-These are long-haired cats with good mouse hunting skills. These cats are good companions for children.
3. Exotic-This breed can offer you the better of two worlds. The Exotic cat has the look of a Persian cat, but it has short hair, making it easy to groom. They look like teddy bears with their thick and short coats. These cats are sweet and good companions like the Persians.
4. Siamese-Siamese cats originally came from Siam or Thailand. This cat possesses an aristocratic head, looks almost like a deer because of it’s stiff ears, and has a short coat. Siamese cats have long bodies, long legs and long necks.
5. Abyssinian-These cats are very elegant-looking, much like the cats portrayed in Egyptian sculptures. Abyssinia is the former name of Ethiopia. However, Abyssinian cats did not originate in Ethiopia. They got the name because the first cats of Abyssinian breed, which were exhibited in England, were from Abyssinia.
No matter what your choice of a cat breed is, make sure that your cat is healthy and that it has already been weaned. The ideal age to get a kitten is about 14 weeks, when their immune systems are already developed.
If dog is man’s best friend, then cats are a man’s caprice.
Aside from being expensive, purebred cats are difficult to care for as they require their owner’s love and attention. Cats are like babies, because they need to be fed, sometimes bathed, combed, played with and cared for.
Cats are best bought from responsible cat breeders. Hobbyists choose to own purebred cats because their temperaments are more predictable than cats with unknown pedigrees.
If you are getting a cat from a cat breeder, ask him about the number of cat breeds that he has so you can choose from them. Also, ask him how many years he has been breeding cats and whether he can give you a health guarantee and complete papers for the cat.
Top cat breeds
If you want to show off your cat then it is best to choose from among the top five cat breeds throughout the world.
1. Persian-Persian cats are called Persian for their country of origin. Persians have a long coat, sweet personality and have the ability to blend into the household. These are the qualities that made Persians one of the top choices of cat lovers. However, its long coat requires daily combing to avoid tangles.
2. Maine Coon-These are long-haired cats with good mouse hunting skills. These cats are good companions for children.
3. Exotic-This breed can offer you the better of two worlds. The Exotic cat has the look of a Persian cat, but it has short hair, making it easy to groom. They look like teddy bears with their thick and short coats. These cats are sweet and good companions like the Persians.
4. Siamese-Siamese cats originally came from Siam or Thailand. This cat possesses an aristocratic head, looks almost like a deer because of it’s stiff ears, and has a short coat. Siamese cats have long bodies, long legs and long necks.
5. Abyssinian-These cats are very elegant-looking, much like the cats portrayed in Egyptian sculptures. Abyssinia is the former name of Ethiopia. However, Abyssinian cats did not originate in Ethiopia. They got the name because the first cats of Abyssinian breed, which were exhibited in England, were from Abyssinia.
No matter what your choice of a cat breed is, make sure that your cat is healthy and that it has already been weaned. The ideal age to get a kitten is about 14 weeks, when their immune systems are already developed.
Secrets to Great Dog Health Care: Grooming Your Dog
Ethan Parker asked:
Wouldn’t you rather learn how to deal with minor dog health problems BEFORE they become major ones? I know I would, because let’s face it, dogs are part of your family, and no one wants to see a part of your family get sick or even die.
Even if you’ve got the most easy-care dog in the world, she’ll still need some attention to be paid to her appearance every once in a while – so it’s worth spending a bit of time learning the best techniques for easy, stress-free grooming.
Here is some of the valuable advice I got from one of my favorite sites for dog health care solutions, The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.
WHY SHOULD I BOTHER GROOMING MY DOG?
Not so long ago, the average American’s approach to canine grooming was somewhat cavalier. Dogs were seen as something that lived in the yard (usually in a dusty, hard-floored kennel), ate whatever was put in their bowls, and existed as a sometime-playmate for the household’s children.
Today, we tend to care for our dogs a lot more, and view them more as members of the household than the Thing in the Yard.
Ever since this rise in the estimation of our beloved pooches became widespread, grooming has been increasingly recognized as an important facet of your dog’s regular health-care. It ensures that any skin-care problems are minimized (because grooming distributes the natural skin-oils evenly throughout the coat), and assists you in monitoring your dog’s overall condition – if you groom on a regular basis, you can’t help but notice the presence of any unusual lumps or bumps.
This preventative action has saved many a canine life. Our dogs can’t tell us where it hurts, but taking just a little bit of time every so often to check them over ourselves can save a lot of grief in the long run.
The trick is getting your dog to tolerate (and even enjoy!) the process …
THE FIRST STEP IN THE GROOMING PROCESS
Something that many owners lack experience in is how to wash their dogs. Dry-grooming (brushing and ‘buffing’ the coat) seems to present little problem for most people; the rot tends to set in when water is introduced to the mix.
Most dogs have a strong dislike of being bathed, and in many cases will become utterly panic-stricken when the tub comes out.
This article is going to deal with the basics of how to wash your dog in a way that’ll keep both of you relaxed and happy.
PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR GROOMING
First of all, the absolute most important thing you can do is to accustom your dog to the grooming process. Now, starting this in puppyhood is the ideal way to handle the situation, but of course not all of us have this luxury; if you’ve got an adult dog, you’ll probably need to move a little slower, but you should still start getting her used to being touched and handled all over as soon as you can.
As your puppy or dog gets used to the sensation of being rubbed and handled, she’ll slowly come to enjoy it. Dogs are social creatures by instinct, and physical affection and contact is a big part of their lives – it shouldn’t take long before she begins to trust you, and allows herself to get some pleasure out of your touch.
All you have to do is start rubbing her slowly all over. Fondle her ears, touch her cheeks and neck, rub her back and belly, pick up her paws and – if she’ll let you – give each one a gentle squeeze (treating and praising her whenever she lets you do this, since paw touching is generally a pretty big deal for most dogs). If she has a tail, rub it between your fingers; get her to roll over on her back so you can rub and stroke her belly and hocks.
This might not seem like such a big deal, but it’s actually a really important part of the grooming process: the more your dog enjoys it, the less stressful the whole event will be for both of you, and so the more often you’re likely to groom her – which increases the health benefits for her.
HOW TO WASH YOUR DOG
Bathing always comes before dry-grooming, since it makes brushing and trimming a lot easier as well as a lot more effective (there’s not much point in brushing a tangled, dirty coat!)
You will need some basic tools: a tub, a non-slip mat, a plastic jug, some warm water, a small sponge, and some canine shampoo (not human shampoo: the pH is all wrong for dogs, and will give her dry and flaky skin.)
Stand her in the tub, on the non-slip mat. If she’s a large or unruly dog, you may want to wash her outside to minimize mess – either that, or you can restrain her by tying one end of a light nylon leash to her collar, and the other end to the faucet.
Pour jugs of warm water all over her until she’s good and wet. This breaks down the grease in her fur, and ensures a thorough shampooing.
Mix a little shampoo with another jug of warm water, and rub it thoroughly into your dog’s fur. Start off with her back and rub it into a good lather (but don’t be too harsh!)
Now you can move on to her head and face. Be very careful here – dogs’ eyes are sensitive too, and if you get any water in her ears, she’ll probably get an ear infection. (You can plug her ears with a small twist of cotton wool to help stop this from happening, if you like.)
Remember to clean under her tail before you wash her off – dip the sponge into the shampoo mixture to do this properly.
Now it’s time to rinse: using the jug and some clean, warm, shampoo-free water, carefully tip it all over her and use your fingers to help disperse the lather from her coat. Rinse her off thoroughly at least twice, since any residue that remains will irritate her skin.
Now you’ll need to dry her off: if she’s got short fur, you can use a towel (an old one will do just fine, although big dogs generally need two); for dogs with longer fur, give her a gentle toweling-off first, and then use a hair dryer to get rid of the last dampness. Be certain that it’s set on low heat, and hold it far away from your dog’s fur to prevent burning either the skin or the fur.
KEEP YOURSELF CALM
Remember that most dogs have an inherent dislike of being bathed, which can cause anxiety and even outright panic.
Your dog takes a lot of her emotional cues from you, so make sure you act like a good role model for the occasion. Reassure your dog frequently, keeping your voice well-modulated, low, and even; keep your movements slow and deliberate; praise her lavishly for good behavior, and give her a couple of treats throughout the process to make it more enjoyable for her.
The more she enjoys the process, the easier it’ll be for you!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Grooming your dog is just one tiny aspect of maintaining overall health and happiness. For a complete, encyclopedic survival guide to all aspects of dog health, from preventative care to choosing a vet to doggie First Aid (even the canine Heimlich maneuver!), you should take a look at The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.
A survival guide for knowledgeable, effective, and life-saving dog care, this manual keeps your dog’s health and wellbeing firmly within your control – which is exactly where you want it to be.
It can’t hurt to look.
Wouldn’t you rather learn how to deal with minor dog health problems BEFORE they become major ones? I know I would, because let’s face it, dogs are part of your family, and no one wants to see a part of your family get sick or even die.
Even if you’ve got the most easy-care dog in the world, she’ll still need some attention to be paid to her appearance every once in a while – so it’s worth spending a bit of time learning the best techniques for easy, stress-free grooming.
Here is some of the valuable advice I got from one of my favorite sites for dog health care solutions, The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.
WHY SHOULD I BOTHER GROOMING MY DOG?
Not so long ago, the average American’s approach to canine grooming was somewhat cavalier. Dogs were seen as something that lived in the yard (usually in a dusty, hard-floored kennel), ate whatever was put in their bowls, and existed as a sometime-playmate for the household’s children.
Today, we tend to care for our dogs a lot more, and view them more as members of the household than the Thing in the Yard.
Ever since this rise in the estimation of our beloved pooches became widespread, grooming has been increasingly recognized as an important facet of your dog’s regular health-care. It ensures that any skin-care problems are minimized (because grooming distributes the natural skin-oils evenly throughout the coat), and assists you in monitoring your dog’s overall condition – if you groom on a regular basis, you can’t help but notice the presence of any unusual lumps or bumps.
This preventative action has saved many a canine life. Our dogs can’t tell us where it hurts, but taking just a little bit of time every so often to check them over ourselves can save a lot of grief in the long run.
The trick is getting your dog to tolerate (and even enjoy!) the process …
THE FIRST STEP IN THE GROOMING PROCESS
Something that many owners lack experience in is how to wash their dogs. Dry-grooming (brushing and ‘buffing’ the coat) seems to present little problem for most people; the rot tends to set in when water is introduced to the mix.
Most dogs have a strong dislike of being bathed, and in many cases will become utterly panic-stricken when the tub comes out.
This article is going to deal with the basics of how to wash your dog in a way that’ll keep both of you relaxed and happy.
PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR GROOMING
First of all, the absolute most important thing you can do is to accustom your dog to the grooming process. Now, starting this in puppyhood is the ideal way to handle the situation, but of course not all of us have this luxury; if you’ve got an adult dog, you’ll probably need to move a little slower, but you should still start getting her used to being touched and handled all over as soon as you can.
As your puppy or dog gets used to the sensation of being rubbed and handled, she’ll slowly come to enjoy it. Dogs are social creatures by instinct, and physical affection and contact is a big part of their lives – it shouldn’t take long before she begins to trust you, and allows herself to get some pleasure out of your touch.
All you have to do is start rubbing her slowly all over. Fondle her ears, touch her cheeks and neck, rub her back and belly, pick up her paws and – if she’ll let you – give each one a gentle squeeze (treating and praising her whenever she lets you do this, since paw touching is generally a pretty big deal for most dogs). If she has a tail, rub it between your fingers; get her to roll over on her back so you can rub and stroke her belly and hocks.
This might not seem like such a big deal, but it’s actually a really important part of the grooming process: the more your dog enjoys it, the less stressful the whole event will be for both of you, and so the more often you’re likely to groom her – which increases the health benefits for her.
HOW TO WASH YOUR DOG
Bathing always comes before dry-grooming, since it makes brushing and trimming a lot easier as well as a lot more effective (there’s not much point in brushing a tangled, dirty coat!)
You will need some basic tools: a tub, a non-slip mat, a plastic jug, some warm water, a small sponge, and some canine shampoo (not human shampoo: the pH is all wrong for dogs, and will give her dry and flaky skin.)
Stand her in the tub, on the non-slip mat. If she’s a large or unruly dog, you may want to wash her outside to minimize mess – either that, or you can restrain her by tying one end of a light nylon leash to her collar, and the other end to the faucet.
Pour jugs of warm water all over her until she’s good and wet. This breaks down the grease in her fur, and ensures a thorough shampooing.
Mix a little shampoo with another jug of warm water, and rub it thoroughly into your dog’s fur. Start off with her back and rub it into a good lather (but don’t be too harsh!)
Now you can move on to her head and face. Be very careful here – dogs’ eyes are sensitive too, and if you get any water in her ears, she’ll probably get an ear infection. (You can plug her ears with a small twist of cotton wool to help stop this from happening, if you like.)
Remember to clean under her tail before you wash her off – dip the sponge into the shampoo mixture to do this properly.
Now it’s time to rinse: using the jug and some clean, warm, shampoo-free water, carefully tip it all over her and use your fingers to help disperse the lather from her coat. Rinse her off thoroughly at least twice, since any residue that remains will irritate her skin.
Now you’ll need to dry her off: if she’s got short fur, you can use a towel (an old one will do just fine, although big dogs generally need two); for dogs with longer fur, give her a gentle toweling-off first, and then use a hair dryer to get rid of the last dampness. Be certain that it’s set on low heat, and hold it far away from your dog’s fur to prevent burning either the skin or the fur.
KEEP YOURSELF CALM
Remember that most dogs have an inherent dislike of being bathed, which can cause anxiety and even outright panic.
Your dog takes a lot of her emotional cues from you, so make sure you act like a good role model for the occasion. Reassure your dog frequently, keeping your voice well-modulated, low, and even; keep your movements slow and deliberate; praise her lavishly for good behavior, and give her a couple of treats throughout the process to make it more enjoyable for her.
The more she enjoys the process, the easier it’ll be for you!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Grooming your dog is just one tiny aspect of maintaining overall health and happiness. For a complete, encyclopedic survival guide to all aspects of dog health, from preventative care to choosing a vet to doggie First Aid (even the canine Heimlich maneuver!), you should take a look at The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.
A survival guide for knowledgeable, effective, and life-saving dog care, this manual keeps your dog’s health and wellbeing firmly within your control – which is exactly where you want it to be.
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Cat Care 101
Cristian Stan asked:
It seems that cats have become a common fixture in our household. Many people own one, and in fact, having cats as pets has been a practice for over thousands of years.
Just like dogs, though not as many, cats also have numerous breeds, but the popular ones are Siamese and Persian. If you plan to get one for a pet, there are factors you have to consider, and among these is the cost.
Just like owning any other pet, it will cost some money to own a cat. Of course, you will need to buy food, medicines, clinic visits, and also a litter. The basic essentials you should have are: food plate, water plate, and a litter box. Additionally, cats love to play so buying toys would be recommended. Other paraphernalia you will need: cat collar, bed, carrier, and scratching post.
Feeding Your Cat
The kind of food and frequency of feeding vary with age. When a cat is still very young- a kitten- he will need to be fed several times a day; as he grows older, you can feed him twice daily, or even with one big meal. To be more specific, before he reaches 12 weeks, you will have to feed him at least 4x daily; when he reaches 3-6 months, feeding is lowered down to thrice daily.
Dos and Don’ts
Never feed him food that has been left out for more than half an hour. Canned food can be given, but these can be expensive. For some reason, cats love canned meals but these do not really have any advantage to dental health in the way that dry meals do. So you might want to consider giving him dry food too. When giving dry food, see to it that your cat gets sufficient water intake on a day to day basis. When buying dry food, make sure that you look at the nutritional value it offers and not buy it because it is cheap. Usually, generic food does not contain enough nutrients that your cat needs. Kittens should only be given kitten food, and do not feed yours with adult cat food. Do not keep on giving your cat milk. They love milk but it causes diarrhea. Do make sure to wash his plate everyday. When giving treats, keep it to a minimum as this will make your cat fat. You can feed your cat human food occasionally but still mix it with his regular food. Brush their coat once daily to avoid hairballs, and at the same time, it helps keep their coat shiny and clean. Clean their litter box at least once a week because cats **** it when their litter box is dirty. Take regular visits to his vet, and make sure required shots are given.
Well, if you may have noticed, owning a cat is not always that easy as they require maintenance and care. But cats are wonderful, loving creatures who will keep you company for many, many years. In the end, it is going to be worth it.
Taking Care of an Older Cat
Glenn Cutforth asked:
Cats are not turtles. Okay, I know what you’re thinking, people aren’t turtles, either. However, when you really think about it, people are a lot closer to turtles than cats in the sense that turtles, as well as people, can live to be 100 years or more. Not so for cats. In fact, in human terms, a cat who’s surpassed twelve years would be applying for their old age pension. Certainly cats can live longer than twelve years and, in fact, thanks to many factors, cats really are living much longer these days.
Dedicated care from their human companions plus advances in veterinary medicine are the main reasons. Most experts consider a cat’s “senior years” to begin on her 10th birthday. After this point, the aging process begins to slow in even the most playful feline. Yet, with a little extra attention from her resident human, a cat could enjoy another 5-10 years of life and love.
As with humans, cats often lose the ability to hear as they get older. This often goes unnoticed by their human companion because they think their cat’s lack of response is just typical feline aloofness. Unfortunately, without keen hearing and vision, an older cat becomes more vulnerable to threats from cars and dogs on the street, so it’s probably a good idea to keep an older cat indoors. If she loves the fresh air, then make sure you supervise her in a protected area when she is allowed outdoors.
Even the most easygoing cat can become a finicky eater in her later years. As an older cat’s senses of smell and taste begin to diminish, she becomes less interested in her food. Try adding moist food and warming her meals to amplify the scent and make her dinner more tantalizing.
Also, it’s important to keep fresh water available for your older cat, and to monitor her drinking habits. Her natural thirst drive can fade with age, causing her to become dangerously dehydrated rather quickly. Pay attention to about how much water your cat drinks each day. If the amount suddenly drops, and you know she is not getting water from any other source, you should consider contacting your veterinarian.
Common problems people see their older cats develop include difficulties swallowing due to decreased saliva production, less tolerance to extreme heat and/or cold, gum disease and tooth loss, a change in litter habits, and difficulty sleeping well.
Recent studies have uncovered a problem with potassium balance in many older cats. Poor coat condition, loss of appetite and lethargy have been linked to a mild form of hypokalemia, or low blood potassium. Low blood potassium damages the cat’s kidneys, which, in an older cat, are already weakening. This leads to a vicious cycle because declining kidney function increases the loss of potassium in the blood, which in turn causes further deterioration of the kidneys.
Arthritis and stiffness is fairly common in older cats as well and as it becomes more difficult to move, a geriatric cat spends more time sleeping. If her diet stays the same, she’ll begin to put on a lot of extra weight. This can add to her discomfort which makes her more inclined not to move. Without exercise her muscles will weaken, so it’s important to encourage an older cat to take part in some activity every day. Physical movement will help with digestion and bowel function, as well as keep her sharp mentally.
As a cat gets older, it spends less time grooming itself which may result in her hair becoming dry and matted. Regular grooming is required to keep her coat healthy and beautiful, so it’s best to schedule daily brushing to remove loose hair that can form uncomfortable hairballs in her stomach.
So, as I said, cats aren’t turtles. However, with love and care they can live for fifteen years or more. But remember, just as senior humans require special care, so does your feline friend. Pay attention to their needs and help make them as comfortable as possible.
Cats are not turtles. Okay, I know what you’re thinking, people aren’t turtles, either. However, when you really think about it, people are a lot closer to turtles than cats in the sense that turtles, as well as people, can live to be 100 years or more. Not so for cats. In fact, in human terms, a cat who’s surpassed twelve years would be applying for their old age pension. Certainly cats can live longer than twelve years and, in fact, thanks to many factors, cats really are living much longer these days.
Dedicated care from their human companions plus advances in veterinary medicine are the main reasons. Most experts consider a cat’s “senior years” to begin on her 10th birthday. After this point, the aging process begins to slow in even the most playful feline. Yet, with a little extra attention from her resident human, a cat could enjoy another 5-10 years of life and love.
As with humans, cats often lose the ability to hear as they get older. This often goes unnoticed by their human companion because they think their cat’s lack of response is just typical feline aloofness. Unfortunately, without keen hearing and vision, an older cat becomes more vulnerable to threats from cars and dogs on the street, so it’s probably a good idea to keep an older cat indoors. If she loves the fresh air, then make sure you supervise her in a protected area when she is allowed outdoors.
Even the most easygoing cat can become a finicky eater in her later years. As an older cat’s senses of smell and taste begin to diminish, she becomes less interested in her food. Try adding moist food and warming her meals to amplify the scent and make her dinner more tantalizing.
Also, it’s important to keep fresh water available for your older cat, and to monitor her drinking habits. Her natural thirst drive can fade with age, causing her to become dangerously dehydrated rather quickly. Pay attention to about how much water your cat drinks each day. If the amount suddenly drops, and you know she is not getting water from any other source, you should consider contacting your veterinarian.
Common problems people see their older cats develop include difficulties swallowing due to decreased saliva production, less tolerance to extreme heat and/or cold, gum disease and tooth loss, a change in litter habits, and difficulty sleeping well.
Recent studies have uncovered a problem with potassium balance in many older cats. Poor coat condition, loss of appetite and lethargy have been linked to a mild form of hypokalemia, or low blood potassium. Low blood potassium damages the cat’s kidneys, which, in an older cat, are already weakening. This leads to a vicious cycle because declining kidney function increases the loss of potassium in the blood, which in turn causes further deterioration of the kidneys.
Arthritis and stiffness is fairly common in older cats as well and as it becomes more difficult to move, a geriatric cat spends more time sleeping. If her diet stays the same, she’ll begin to put on a lot of extra weight. This can add to her discomfort which makes her more inclined not to move. Without exercise her muscles will weaken, so it’s important to encourage an older cat to take part in some activity every day. Physical movement will help with digestion and bowel function, as well as keep her sharp mentally.
As a cat gets older, it spends less time grooming itself which may result in her hair becoming dry and matted. Regular grooming is required to keep her coat healthy and beautiful, so it’s best to schedule daily brushing to remove loose hair that can form uncomfortable hairballs in her stomach.
So, as I said, cats aren’t turtles. However, with love and care they can live for fifteen years or more. But remember, just as senior humans require special care, so does your feline friend. Pay attention to their needs and help make them as comfortable as possible.
Are There Better Cat Breeds as Pets?
Debbie Foster asked:
Cats have been a part of human life since ancient times. Today they are second only to dogs in popularity. Taking care of cats is easy to do, even if you are away from your apartment for long periods of time during the day. If this sounds like your schedule, a cat as a pet is a good choice.
The majority of felines don’t come with a pedigree because most cats are derived from multiple breeds. Actually there are only a small 3% of felines that are purebred. This is because they cost a lot more than the mixed breed cat and have no significant advantages or disadvantages over the mixed breeds. Across the globe, there are now just over one hundred purebred cats that have been identified.
There are notable distinctions between the unique breeds. There are distinct types of body shapes, coat lengths, color of coat, eye color, personalities and size of the animal. Cats can be categorized as the short haired or long haired variety. The most common of the two being short hair varieties.
Long haired cats take more time to care for. They require more daily grooming and are more prone to hairballs. Also, the long fur makes it more challenging to get rid of fleas, and harder to care for any cuts they may have.
Cats do not take as much of your time as dogs, who need daily exercise. Really, all the felines need is a little food, attention and a litter box. Of course, felines enjoy playing and climbing. The occasional unexpected pounce or sweet purring in your ear are attributes of a happy cat. Additionally, because they are so adaptable, cats are great for most anyone’s living area, including apartments. Undoubtedly, these furry friends quickly become adored pets through their playfulness, affection, and loyalty.
Cats have been a part of human life since ancient times. Today they are second only to dogs in popularity. Taking care of cats is easy to do, even if you are away from your apartment for long periods of time during the day. If this sounds like your schedule, a cat as a pet is a good choice.
The majority of felines don’t come with a pedigree because most cats are derived from multiple breeds. Actually there are only a small 3% of felines that are purebred. This is because they cost a lot more than the mixed breed cat and have no significant advantages or disadvantages over the mixed breeds. Across the globe, there are now just over one hundred purebred cats that have been identified.
There are notable distinctions between the unique breeds. There are distinct types of body shapes, coat lengths, color of coat, eye color, personalities and size of the animal. Cats can be categorized as the short haired or long haired variety. The most common of the two being short hair varieties.
Long haired cats take more time to care for. They require more daily grooming and are more prone to hairballs. Also, the long fur makes it more challenging to get rid of fleas, and harder to care for any cuts they may have.
Cats do not take as much of your time as dogs, who need daily exercise. Really, all the felines need is a little food, attention and a litter box. Of course, felines enjoy playing and climbing. The occasional unexpected pounce or sweet purring in your ear are attributes of a happy cat. Additionally, because they are so adaptable, cats are great for most anyone’s living area, including apartments. Undoubtedly, these furry friends quickly become adored pets through their playfulness, affection, and loyalty.
