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I don't know if this has happened to you or not, but it happens to me all the time.
You have a special dinner or appointment, and you're running late. You finally get there, but when you get out of your car and look down, you notice that you are covering in pet hair! And it never fails ... if I wear black, I am covered in light hairs; if I wear something light, my clothes are covered in dark hairs.
Whether you're going to a dinner, a meeting, a party or a date, if you're a pet owner, you've been in this same situation at one time or another.
Shedding is the natural process by which old hair falls out and new hair begins to grow in its place. Shedding is a difficult problem for pet owners. But if you happen to read or hear something about some dog breeds that don't shed, you can discount it. Every dog sheds. Some dogs shed more than others - but they all shed.
So why then do some dogs APPEAR not to shed while others shed so much you could weave a thick blanket out of the discarded fur? The answer lies in the growth rate of the animal's hair, which is based on genetics, nutrition and environment.
What can you do to stop shedding? -Unfortunately, the answer is, "nothing". But you CAN do some things to help control it.
Here are 6 tips that work for me:
1. Brush . Our house pets need brushing to prevent large amounts of hair from accumulating in the coat. It not only decreases the amount of hair on your clothes and furniture, it also stimulates the blood supply to your dog's skin. Once old hair has been removed, a new hair can form. Brushing should be done on a regular basis. About 10 minutes a day should do the trick.
2. Vacuum. Vacuum your house and car. Use a good quality vacuum that sucks up pet hair. If you have pets - especially multiple dogs - daily vacuuming is ideal. This includes furniture where pets frequently sleep or rest.
3. Wash . Weekly washing of bedding can help get rid of pet hair. Wash your dog's bedding as well as yours, if he sleeps on your bed. Do this at least once a week or more.
4. Keep your closet door closed. Don't allow your pets into the area where you keep your clothes. This won't prevent hair from getting on your clothes but it will help.
5. Use a tape roller. Tape rollers are a great way to pick up hair on your clothes. Keep one by the door and one in your glove box. This is great for getting hair off your clothes at the last minute.
6. Bathe . Bathing your dog helps get rid of loose dead hair, while it stimulates circulation to the skin and helps your dog smell great. We found a great dog-washing tool called Rapid Bath that lets you easily wash your dog in 5 minutes or less. This power washing system really helps get rid of dead hair to reduce shedding in your house and on your clothes.
It's really easy to use. Just attaché the RapidBath power washer to your shower or garden hose and it does all the work. It's so quick and easy to use, even the kids can do it. And your dog will love the massaging action of the powerful spray against his skin.
Not only does RapidBath save you time and aggravation, it gets your dog really clean. This amazing product cleans all the way through your dog's coat down to his skin, removing even hidden dirt, dead hair and debris.
Good hygiene is important, not just to help control shedding but to protect yourself from the infectious diseases your dog may be carrying. Remember to always wash your hands after you touch your dog, and every time he licks you.
Until next time,
Dr. Jon
P.S. I've arranged a very special RapidBath offer at PetProductAdvisor.com just for my subscribers. It lets you SAVE $ 50 on the price of the Rapid Bath! Quantities are limited, and this amazing $ 29.99 sale price is SO DRASTIC that they're sure to go fast. So if you're interested in this product, I encourage you to act now.
Factors include: his hair coat, hair length, how often he gets dirty, where he lives (if he is indoor or outdoors most of the time), shedding cycle, and any underlying skin problem (please see our related article, "Top Medical Reasons for Grooming Your Dog").
Some dogs need baths only a couple times year while others need weekly grooming. It is beneficial to brush your dog about twice a week. Bathing your dog every month or two isn't unreasonable, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings.
A good rule of thumb is to bathe your pet only when his coat gets dirty or begins to smell "doggy."
The Irreverent Vet Speaks Out on the Top 10 Dog Breeds
Hi Readers,
Veterinarians are commonly asked about certain breeds and their positive and negative characteristics. Is a German Shepherd right for me? Is a Yorkshire Terrier good with kids? Does the Labrador Retriever shed a lot? Does the Beagle bark a lot?
A while ago, I sent you information about the top 5 breeds. Today, I'd like to give you the real deal on 5 more breeds, rounding out the top 10.
You commonly read breed profiles that give you basic information about the most common breeds - their history, origin, average height and weight. But where do you find the "negatives" about a breed? Often, you don't.
So, we came up with a very honest article about the most common breeds. These opinions may not be popular but they are honest. Our Irreverent Veterinarian gives us a very honest opinion on each of these breeds based on years of experience.
Again, you may not like what you read if you are a big fan of a particular breed but the opinions are honest. Take a read and see what you think.
What Type of Flooring Is Best When You Have A Dog?
Hi Readers,
The best flooring for your home when you have a dog can depend on so many things.
What are you most concerned with? The scratching? The dirt build-up? Your comfort and the comfort of your dog?
Take a look at some of the pros & cons of different floor types for dog owners. Which type of flooring do you have in your home?
1. Laminated Floors Pros - Resist scratches well Cons - Hard, slippery & uncomfortable for doggy
2. Solid Wood or Bamboo Pros - Durable Cons - Isn't as scratch or stain resistant as stone or tile, hard & uncomfortable
3. Ceramic Tile & Stone Pros - Extremely resistant to scratching and damage from accidents, easy to clean Cons - Hard & uncomfortable
4. Carpet Pros - Most comfortable for pets Cons - Stain easily, may get caught in claws
While carpeting is cozier, the truth is many dog owners have hard flooring in the major areas of their home (with the exception of carpeting in our bedrooms). With this is mind, there's a great floor-cleaning product I highly recommend called the Swiffer Sweeper. This 2-In-1 product allows you to sweep AND mop at the same time, which cuts cleaning time in half. It picks up 50% more dirt and hair than a broom and removes everything from dried food to pet fur and paw prints on virtually any surface in your home. It's quick and it even works better than traditional sweeping and mopping!
P.S. If you don't have a Swiffer and you're thinking about getting one, now is the time because you can save $5.00 off the regular price. Don't miss out on this deal!
TODAY'S SPECIAL SAVINGS OFFER
TODAY'S PET TIP
Removing Skunk Odor
Skunked again?
This time forget the tomato juice.
Try a mixture of 10 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part baking soda.
The other day I went to a wine tasting event with a friend and another couple. My friend's girlfriend is studying to be a professional groomer. She is being trained at one of the large pet stores, and it is amazing how much a groomer has to know. They deal with so many different personalities and types of dogs.
It was interesting to hear about her training, and soon the conversation turned to nail grooming. We started talking about nail trimmers and nail grinders, and I was telling her that I recently tested a really good quality nail grinder called Gentle Paws . I said that I was impressed by this tool because I had previously tested some other nail grinders whose qualities were only so-so ... especially when they were used on big dogs.
She was telling me she also loves nail grinders and went on to say that it cost almost double to have a dog's nail trimmed with a grinder as opposed to a regular trimmer. They consider the grinder not only trimming but also filing. At this particular store, a regular nail trim costs $8.00 and nail grinding is $22.00. That's quite a difference.
To be honest, I had not thought about that. But it's true. Nails that are ground are much smoother. They are also filed at the same time. And I didn't realize that it was so much more expensive to have your dog's nails done with a nail grinder.
Trimming or grinding your own dog's nails can really save you money. This makes the Gentle Paws Nail Grinder a great value. I liked it so much that I talked to the manufacturer and bought some to offer to my dog patients. They are regularly $24.99 and we have them for $19.99 right now - that's $5.00 off. We have a limited supply. This is really a very good product. No wonder so many vets and groomers recommend this grinder. It is 5 times faster than other nail grinders, so you can get the job done quickly. This rechargeable grinding tool comes with a coarse grinding stone, 2 coarse bands for all-purpose grinding and a fine "finishing" band that is perfect for smoothing out sharp edges.
Basically this unit pays for itself (and then some) in one visit. And it makes it easy to groom your dog's nails yourself, right at home. It comes with some simple instructions on how to use it and how to trim nails. For more information, go to: http://www.petproductadvisor.com/gentlepaws.aspx
The key is making the experience positive for your dog.
Bleeding toenails can often times be remedied with some household ingredients. A small amount of flour packed onto the end of the nail will often quell the bleeding.
Also try rubbing a bar of soap on the end of the nail for the same effect.
Nothing, however, beats having a stash of styptic powder, which you can buy at your local pet store or at your vet's office.
