As a pet owner, it’s important to be aware of the many risks that your dog faces on a daily basis. While you may take steps to protect them from dangers like cars and other animals, you may not be as aware of the threat that parasites pose.
External parasites are tiny creatures that live on the surface of your dog’s skin and hair. While they’re generally more of a nuisance than a health risk, some types of external parasites can transmit diseases to your dog or cause irritation and discomfort.
There are several steps you can take to protect your dog from external parasites. Regular grooming is an important part of keeping your dog healthy and free of parasites, and there are also various products available that can help to repel or kill parasites.
If you’re concerned about external parasites, talk to your veterinarian. They can help you to identify any parasites your dog may have and recommend the best course of treatment.
Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Dog
One of the best ways to protect your dog from external parasites is to groom them regularly. This will help to remove any parasites that are already on your dog’s skin and hair, and it will also make it more difficult for new parasites to take up residence.
Brushing your dog’s fur on a daily basis is a good way to keep their coat healthy and free of debris, and it will also give you a chance to check for any signs of parasites. If you notice anything unusual, such as excessive scratching, bald patches, or skin irritation, take your dog to the vet for a check-up.
In addition to regular grooming, there are also various products available that can help to protect your dog from external parasites. These include topical treatments that can be applied to your dog’s skin and oral medications that can be given on a monthly basis.
Topical treatments usually come in the form of spot-on products that are applied to the back of your dog’s neck. They work by releasing a small amount of insecticide onto your dog’s skin, which then spreads over their body and provides protection from parasites.
Oral medications are usually given once a month and work by killing any parasites that may be present in your dog’s system. These products are usually available from your vet or pet store, and it’s important to follow the instructions carefully to avoid giving your dog too much medication.
Dangers of Not Protecting Your Dog From External Parasites
While external parasites are generally more of a nuisance than a health risk, there are some dangers that you should be aware of.
Some types of external parasites can transmit diseases to your dog. The most common is Lyme disease, which is caused by ticks. Lyme disease can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, joint pain, and fatigue. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems.
External parasites can also cause irritation and discomfort for your dog. This is usually the result of bites from fleas or mites, and it can lead to excessive scratching and hair loss. In severe cases, parasites can also cause anemia due to blood loss.
If you suspect that your dog has any type of parasite, it’s important to take them to the vet for a check-up. They will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of treatment.
Preventing Your Dog From Getting External Parasites
The best way to protect your dog from external parasites is to prevent them from getting them in the first place. There are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of your dog picking up parasites:
– Keep your yard clean and free of debris. This will make it less attractive to fleas, ticks, and other parasites.
– Treat your home for fleas and ticks on a regular basis. This will help to reduce the risk of your dog coming into contact with these pests.
– Check your dog for parasites after they’ve been outside. This is especially important if they’ve been running through tall grass or woods, as these are prime habitats for ticks.
– Take your dog to the vet for regular check-ups. This will help to identify any problems early and give you the opportunity to treat them before they become serious.
Following these simple steps, you can help to protect your dog from external parasites and keep them healthy and happy. Stay safe!
In one of her Instagram posts, Saedah details her experience with a pet groomer regarding her cat, Zain. She details how she was refused service at an undisclosed groomer on account of Zain’s aggression. In an interview with us, she also mentions how important grooming was to upkeep the quality of his fur, which in turn affects his health and well being.
“Zain’s fur is really matted and we have a hard time managing it at home as he does not allow me to comb or brush him. Many times I have to wait for him to fall asleep before I can attempt to brush out his matted fur. We have resorted to shaving once however, it did not seem to help as his fur grows out way too fast. As a result, he develops frequent hairball problems too.
Photo Credit: Instagram @zainthemainecoon
We intended for the Groomers to assist us with this issue. It was disappointing to be rejected. Groomers should be trained and well-equipped to manage aggressive cats. Grooming is a professional service that cats truly need, especially for cats like Zain who strongly needs the service. Only a cat groomer can help. It appears redundant if the groomer is not ready to offer their services to aggressive cats. Who else can I turn to? Vets do not entertain hair matting issues.”
Saedah is not alone in her struggles to seek out grooming services for her aggressive cats. Owners often struggle to locate a suitable groomer for their cats. In addition, grooming centres can charge cat owners additional fees, which in turn, may further exacerbate the owner’s stress.
Luckily, Saedah eventually located a suitable groomer: Pet Pat Grooming.
With a perfect 5.0 Star score on Google Reviews, Pet Pat Grooming is located in Singapore and offers over 5 tailored services for their kitty customers. In particular, they promise to provide a low-stress handling experience which helps to greatly reduce cats’ stress levels.
Jen of Pet Pat has kindly agreed to share her insight on providing grooming care to cats. We also inquired regarding her experience with aggressive cats to take a better look at what it entails.
Why is Grooming Important?
Matted fur develops due to inflamed and dry skin. Regular grooming schedules help to reduce such risks and keep cats clean right down to their skin. Plus, maintain that their fur is matt-free.
Photo Credit: Instagram @petpat.sg
Cats do like to be clean. They’re much happier. Imagine if you never took a shower or brushed your hair. That’s what an ungroomed cat feels like. They turn into a much more social creature when they’re clean.
What agitates cats when they visit a Groomer?
From the cat’s perspective, they are being cautious. Especially in a new environment, they are looking out for potential predators here. As a result, they can go into fight, flight, or freeze mode.
Your salon offers a low-stress handling experience. How do you accommodate this?
When the cat is showing signs of aggression, we designate a single groomer to handle them alone. Occasionally, we may do a two-person groom which involves the handler and a groomer. Our priority is to go as fast and safe as possible to minimise the cat’s exposure to unfamiliar territory.
We always do pre groom assessments for our clients. Find out as much info as possible. Once the expectations are established, We can work our magic. We introduce the cat calmly to the grooming process. We want it to be a pleasant experience for both the cat, and its owner.
Lead us through a grooming session with an aggressive cat.
There are 4 things to note before grooming cats.
Assess the fur situation.
Photo Credit: Instagram @petpat.sg
Aggression is not caused without reason. At times, there is a reason for their behaviour. For example, we once had a customer named MoMo who had several large matts on his body. It was extremely tight on his skin and was impossible to comb out. In such situations, the cat will definitely respond in an aggressive manner due to the intense discomfort they are feeling. Certain fur conditions require a different approach to grooming.
2. Protect yourselves.
Cats can have you out for lunch! Regardless, our service does not believe in using restraints as it might stress the cat even further. Instead, we ensure we are well-protected before handling aggressive cats. Dog handling gaiters (a.k.a Dragon Slayer Gloves haha!) can be necessary. We also use an Elizabeth collar, and a towel for extra padding.
3. Act with firmness.
Establish an equal distribution of control over the situation. When a cat is trying to intimidate vocally, the best course of action for a groomer is to not be intimidated and act with confidence and firmness.
4. Take breaks and respect the cat’s need for space.
Most importantly, is to respect the cat. We might also opt to take many 5 minute breaks in between grooming to give the cat sufficient time to cool down and rest. It also helps us to think of the next move. Regardless, remember to treat the cat with the same amount of understanding and respect as you would a human!
Photo Credit: Instagram @zainthemainecoon
When we groomed Zain (Saedah’s cat), we first introduced him to happy things such as treats, toys, catnip and more. We spoke in hushed tones and patted him occasionally to provide reassurance. He was a lot calmer at his session with us and showed no signs of aggression! He was a very good boy.
We always advise pet owners to do their research before committing to a groomer. Things you can take note of include:
Certifications or professional training
To be a cat groomer is very different from being a dog’s! Make sure you locate a groomer that is competent to handle the type of pets you own.
Salon Hygiene
Cats-only environment
How can we do our part to take care of our pets at home?
Brushing your pet’s fur at home is a great way to maintain your cats in between grooming sessions.
Photo Credit: Instagram @petpat.sg
Here’s how you can do so:
Begin by creating a positive association with your brush. Place it near your cat and reward them with a treat when he/she starts to investigate it.
Build their association with the brush. When you are interacting with your cat in a calm way, allow your cat to sniff and rub against it when they wish.
After a few days doing so, or when you think your cat is ready, stroke your cat with the brush in your hand. Hold the brush out for your cat to sniff again. If they rub against it reward them with a treat and praise them with more physical attention.
Once your cat is actively seeking the brush you can gently move it against your cats face. Gently and slowly stroke in the direction of the cats’ coat for 2 minutes a session.
If your cat is relaxed and enjoying the experience try grooming different areas. Cats love the neck and head region and also the back and base of the tail. All the best!
Special thanks to Saedah of @zainthemainecoon for sharing her experience with us. Visit her Instagram.
Dogs with long floppy (droopy) ears have a higher chance of getting ear infections compared to dogs with upright ears. While ear infections are not limited to ear structures, excess hair in the ear canal, wax overproduction, hormonal disorders, allergies and autoimmune diseases also contribute to a higher chance of ear infections.
I will attach a website regarding ear infections for further reading, symptoms and causes for dog ear infections were cited from the same website.
Symptoms of Dog Ear Infections
Some dogs show no symptoms of ear infection aside from a buildup of wax and discharge in the ear canal. But ear infections often cause significant discomfort and affected dogs may show signs such as:
Head shaking
Scratching at the affected ear
Dark discharge
Odor
Redness and swelling of the ear canal
Pain
Itchiness
Crusting or scabs in the ears
What Causes Ear Infections in Dogs?
The canine ear canal is more vertical than that of a human, forming an L-shape that tends to hold in fluid. This makes dogs more prone to ear infections. Ear infections are typically caused by bacteria, yeast, or a combination of both. In puppies, ear mites can also be a source of infection.
Puppies comes with great responsibility. Who doesnt know? I knew what I was getting into when I got Truffle. Well, at least I thought I knew. I never expected myself to be dealing with persistent allergy problem and also ear infection.
Truffle have 2 ongoing issues: environmental allergy and recurring ear infection.
I will talk about how I dealt with his ear infections since day 1 in this blogpost.
Kindly note that I will be listing some products that I used on Truffle below. If you want to try the below products, kindly get your vet’s approval or suggestion first before purchasing. But generally, the products I mentioned are safe to use for all breeds as they are sold in our local vet clinics. I tried many products before finding out the best one for Truffle, so if you are experiencing the same problem as me, take time to find out which product works best!
The first time
When I first found out about his ear infection, his ears were all red and itchy. As a first time puppy owner, I did not dare to clean his ear and I went to the vet for consultation.
A microscopy with stain test was done and confirmed that Truffle have yeast infection in both ears.
Vet A prescribed Dermotic ear cleanser (40ml) and EPI-otic skin and ear cleanser (125ml).
EPI-otic is a great everyday ear cleanser, I recommend every dog owner to have a dog ear cleanser at home. It is good to clean them once a week, preferably after shower.
However, Dermotic is only effective during the first treatment of Truffle’s ear infection.
Subsequently…
After the first successful treatment of dermotic, Truffle’s ear infection came back again after a few months. I purchased both EPI-otic and dermotic via shopee and self prescribe, it works but his ear infection keep coming back with a few months interval. Example, it came back every 3 months, but cleared up with a week of self prescription and ear care.
During this on and off ear infection period, I did not consult the vet as I thought that they will prescribe the same medicine, so why not save on consultation fees, transport fees and also medication fees? Everything is cheaper on Shopee.
It got worse
After a year and a half, Truffle’s ear infection came back again with full force. This time round, there were black discharge and his ears were red and inflamed. Warning- some people might get grossed out by the photos below.
This was when I know that the current ear drop (dermotic) was no longer effective and I bought Truffle to vet B. Vet B saw the photos above and prescribed Aurizon ear drops (20ml).
As per vet instructions, I were to clean the ears everyday with Epi-otic, then apply Aurizon twice per day for a week.
Truffle’s ear infection improved and all the discharge were cleared, his ears were no longer inflamed too.
Then.. It came back.. Again…
Yup, you guessed it.
Truffle’s ear infection came back again, with the same black discharge and red ears. I went back to Vet B and they did a microbiology test (Aerobic culture and sensitivity test). Cost of this test is $85.
Results: Heavy growth of yeast, Malassexia sp. is noticed. No bacteria pathogen is noticed.
Yeast infection, again. This time around, Vet B prescribed Dermotic ear drops because they only carry Aurizon and Dermotic.
However, Dermotic did not work on Truffle this time round. His naughty ears built up a resistance for this 2 common ear drops and I had to go to Vet C for second opinion and other variety of medications.
My experience with Vet C
Before I mention the medications they prescribed, I would like to let you know that Vet C charged me $65 consultation fee for “second opinion”. I will not mention any names here, but it is a popular clinic in Serangoon. Their regular consultation fee is $36.
I am already in distress over the fact that Truffle’s ear infection is not improving and causing him pain, Vet C gave me another punch by charging me a “second opinion” consultation fee of a whopping $65. I accepted it, with Truffle’s recovery in mind.
Vet C did an Ear Diffquick Cytology, yeast was detected in both ears, slightly more on the left ear.
Of course, being an expensive clinic, they recommended K9 biotic Otic Gel ($62).
It is a leave in treatment. No cleaning the ear or showering within 1 week. When it dries up, it looks like the photo on the right.
Vet C first cleaned his ears, then applied the medication which will dry up in his ear canals to act on the infection.
Vet C assures me that this leave in medication will work as it has proven effective for previous customers.
Next scheduled review is in 2 weeks time.
After 2 weeks, the ear infection is still there…
Vet C then recommended me a second round of K9 Biotix Otic Gel. Yes, 2 times of this gel cost me $124. I agreed, I hoped that the vet’s recommendation is right.
Nope.
HIS EAR IS STILL INFECTED.
I went back after 2 weeks for review and did an Ear Diffquick Cytology and results were: Yeast infection is still present.
Vet C asked me if I want a third round of K9 Biotix Otic Gel, since his condition is improving. Of course I said no! I want the infection to be cured, not improve.
I then asked them for an alternative and they recommended me the Trizultra + Keto Medicated ear wash (118ml).
The winner
This is a medicated ear wash that provides antibacterial and antifungal action, it is effective against various fungi. Its anti fungal properties helps reduce yeast and bacteria, which in turn prevent and treat infection.
I had my doubts with this ear wash, but Truffle’s infection cleared up within days!
I washed his ears twice daily for a week, then decreased frequency to once daily. Now its once per week.
I am using this ear wash exclusively every week and stopped epi-otic. Truffle’s have a high risk of infection, a mild ear cleaner might not be for him.
I paid $75 for this cleanser at Vet C, amazon sells for $29.93 inclusive delivery.
This experience really taught me what is patience, what works for others might not work for Truffle. Usually, dermotic and aurizon is sufficient to clear ear infections, together with epiotic ear cleanser.
K9 Biotix Otic Gel is definitely a waste of time and money as it did not clear his ear infections at all, despite being administered for 2 weeks.
I spent $408 on Vet C before they recommended me the Trizultra + Keto Medicated ear wash.
The process of finding the right medication takes time and I hope that the medicated ear wash will be effective for a long time and that Truffle do not build a resistance.
I highly recommend all dog owners to wash their furkid’s ear at least once weekly, even for dogs with upright ears. Maintain good hygiene to reduce the risk of having ear infection. EPI-otic is a good gentle cleanser for ear hygiene maintenance. https://shp.ee/m5vx9s2
Its almost a year since the episode of Truffle’s crazy ear discharge. I hope my journey will provide you with some insights regarding ear infections, and that you never have to experience it.
Flea and ticks thrive in warmer climate hence the humid weather of Singapore increases the vulnerability of our pets. If left unattended, flea and ticks can cause serious health problems such as tick-borne illnesses and allergic reactions. Not to mention, the constant aggravating itch that your pets will endure.
Bravecto recently formulated an oral chew for dogs, that targets most fleas and ticks. A single chew provides you with up to 12 weeks of protection! During which, the chew promises to eradicate pests such as the brown dog tick, American dog tick and even the lone star tick.
It also addresses other ailments such as ear mites, sarcoptic mange and Demodex mites. Bravecto also kills newly emerged fleas before they lay eggs. Thus, breaking the flea life cycle.
Their long-lasting coverage also breaks the average monthly medication cycle – Say goodbye to monthly purchases and/or medication reminders! With their Bravecto Chews, paw-rents can kick back and relax as the chew works its magic.
Not forgetting that this tasty chew makes it easy to feed. You no longer have to worry about forcing your pets to stay still while you apply topical ointments onto their fur.
Bravecto Chews disguises medication in a delectable coating making it a treat your dogs would be eager to consume.
Check out what our pet owners had to say!:
Super fuss-free and easy to feed even for picky eaters like Eurus!
Instagram @babyeuruschan
It worked so well with Toto, and I can also administer it less frequently than other monthly treatment options. ??
Instagram @Toto_thedoodle
I am a Bravecto super fan! I’ve been using Bravecto for almost 3 years now and I’ve never had a single tick spotted on me before – serious, not kidding. Bravecto is fast, easy and lasting as it kills active fleas and ticks within 12 hours.
Instagram @Yuri_thecorgi
A few attractive benefits stand out:
Easier to administer than topical ointments
Effectively kills all fleas and ticks (within 8-12 hours of consumption!)
Lighter on the wallet – long-lasting protection means fewer dosages = less medication required!
Bravecto owes part of its success to its active ingredient – fluralaner. When a chew is consumed, fluralaner is dispersed throughout your pet’s body hence killing all fleas and ticks upon contact. Not to worry, the substance itself is safe to consume. However, it may be wise to check with your veterinarian if your pet is suitable for the product before switching over to Bravecto chew.
They are currently offering attractive discounts for Shopee and Lazada’s 7.7 sales! Try them out today! Their storewide sales cover all of their Chew variants – do check your pet’s weight before purchasing the corresponding product.
Get up to 20% storewide!
Purchase 2 for an additional 7% off! Alternatively, paw-rents looking to stock up can also purchase a bundle of 4 and get 1 pack free!
You can also continue to check out their ongoing discounts on Shopee and Lazada.
Redeem Naturvet Tear Stains supplements at Pawjourr.com
What are Tear Stains?
Tear Stains are dark brown or reddish marks that can appear under your pet’s eyes. It can affect both dogs and cats and are usually more prominent on animals with light coloured fur. According to Dogtime, Epiphora, a condition that comes from excessive tear production or the inability to properly drain tears, is usually the source of the stains.
My cat, Sir Nicky, is an exotic shorthair cat who requires regular grooming on account of his tear stains. His tear ducts generate a brownish discharge after a nap, which tends to stick to his fur resulting in stains.
This is how he looks on the daily (without grooming). As you can see, there is discharge most prominently seen in the inner corner of his eyes. For discharge located near his eyelids, it is difficult to clean without irritating him.
This is him after heavy grooming. As you can tell, the stains still remain after cleaning, and a new discharge has already occurred.
Naturvet Tear Stains Supplement for Cats and Dogs
For his comfort (and my ease), I decided to try out Naturvet Tear Stains supplement. These specially formulated soft chews are aimed at reducing unsightly tear stains from the inside out. It supposedly assists our pet’s immune system and lubricates mucous membranes to reduce discharge. One tub consists of 70 chews, which should last an average user around 30 days.
My cat weighs an average of 4 kilograms, so I followed the instructions carefully. For an animal his size, it is recommended that they take 1 chew a day, til visible improvement is noted. Afterwards, continue to use after an additional 30 days, to hone in the supplement’s effectiveness.
On the tub’s cover, a sticker notes it as Veterinary approved and recommended.
The soft chew itself is brown, with a rather crumbly residue. It remains solid when picked up and is roughly the size of my fingernail.
I wasn’t so sure if he would take well to these supplements hence I decided to mix them into his regular food. Sir Nicky is fed a regular diet of Schesir wet canned food and Wishbone kibble. The chew itself is easy to crumble. He finished his meal without any issue, indicating that the addition of the supplements did not bother him or was tasty to eat!
Our Weekly Trial
The next day I checked out his discharge in the morning.
Not sure if I could note any visible improvements yet I decided to continually feed him the supplements for a week.
At one point, I tried to mix things up and feed him the chew on its own. Though he responded well to it, I think he found the chew’s soft texture rather hard to grip with his teeth. The result? Crumbs scattered all over on my freshly mopped floors.
Unless your pet would be able to chew and grip the supplement on their own, I’d recommend crumbling it up into their daily meals for a cleaner and fuss-free feeding experience!
5th day after eating supplements. The discharge has improved slightly. I also noticed that throughout the day, he has little or no discharge. I found myself needed to clean him a lot less.
However, I did note that Sir Nicky began to lose interest in the supplements midway through the week. In order to convince him to eat it, I covered the supplement in his favourite cream-based snack. For dog owners, I’d recommend finding something similar– perhaps some dog-friendly peanut butter, if it is suitable for your pet.
After a week of supplements, here is how he looked:
Before (Left) After (Right)
Yes, this is the same cat!
(Apologies for the over-exposure in the 2nd picture, Sir Nicky isn’t the most compliant paw-del)
Most notable improvements
Daily discharge is runnier and easier to clean
Fewer stains on his fur
Discharge is greatly reduced throughout the day
Overall Thoughts
In conclusion, I think the product does work. I definitely saw improvements after only a week of use. Though Sir Nicky grew to dislike it after some time, I think that might just be a matter of personal preference. It wasn’t difficult for me to mask the supplement in other tastier snacks he enjoyed in order to convince him to eat it.
I am most impressed by the product’s ability to reduce tear stain discharge throughout the day. Though he would still accumulate some discharge overnight, the reduced amount of tears throughout the day helped time as I no longer had to groom him as frequently. Plus, it also kept him looking handsome and clean all day long!
Try it for yourself!
We are now offering samples for Naturvet Tear Stain supplements for FREE on Pawjourr.com
Check it out at the link here! **Whilst stocks last
Sign up as a Pawjourr Plus member to redeem premium samples.
During the Circuit Breaker period, many pawrents had to result to emergency DIY grooming to ensure that their pets were in pristine condition.
In order to provide our wonderful fur parents with some guidance, we had a chat with Andrea, co-owner of Shaggy Wagon. She shared some valuable tips on how to do DIY grooming, along with some things to take note of before you start out!
Tell us a little bit more about yourself and Shaggy Wagon!
Well I’m a crazy dog lady & have so much love to give to the animals! I was a makeup artist for 15years plus working in the office for my family and one day my (now) husband Rei saw how much I love animals and ask me, what does Singapore don’t have for pets.
I said a physical mobile grooming vehicle like in the states. Where we bring the grooming to your door step. So that’s how shaggy wagon was born.
But unfortunately due to the restrictions Singapore have, the wagon has to go on hold for now. However, we have Shaggy Hangout to provide all the pets in Singapore with our love!
Personally, I believe in the organic way of creating a comfortable environment for the pets before, during & after a grooming session.
What attracted you to the dog grooming business?
I grew up with dogs all my life, their well being has always been my priority. I have send my dogs for grooming and always thought there should be a way I can let the dogs hangout and enjoy themselves before their turn to be groomed and after, Instead of a cage system, but I would say cage systems is done to prevent accidents among the dogs which is not wrong too. Every groomer have their ways, but I’m sure they always mean well.
For Shaggy, we would want the fur kids to have fun before their groom. More importantly the team and groomer to interact with them before we start. So the pets do feel more at ease and don’t feel stressed out. We will take note of the dogs health issues or past injuries on their record card, and work around what is more comfortable for the fur kid.
For first time pet owners, what are some important things to note when choosing a groomer (for both big and small dogs)?
Hmm, there is no difference for a big or small dog to a groomer. More importantly, you can check with the groomers if they have groomed the breed that you have, to ensure they understand what your dog needs the best. Another important point is to always let the groomers know of any health or behaviour issues of the dog, so you can find a groomer that can provide the right way to handle and care for your pet.
What are the differences between grooming smaller dogs and bigger dogs?
Actually there is no difference, both still need the same amount of patience and care. The only difference is the time frame required for grooming due to their sizes, or if the dogs needs more time due to health or behaviour.
How did Circuit Breaker affect the way you ran your business?
Yea, we couldn’t operate due to lockdown, it was beyond our control. But it was for the best for the people! When lockdown was over it was our job to help all the dogs who were lacking a proper grooming and pampering session.
What are some common mistakes first time pet owners should avoid when trying to groom their pets at home?
Nail trimming is definitely a common error. Don’t cut their nails too deep of the quick. On many instances, when the trim is so deep they actually do remember the pain, and it affects their future grooming experiences. Expressing anal glands without knowledge – expressing anal glands without knowing the right way, may hurt or rupture your pets anal gland.
Brushing your pets fur is also another one – always brush your pets if the breed needs daily brushing, and be sure to brush them in layers. If the fur becomes matted, it can cause irritate their skin and even cause more serious skin issues.
Just picture a rubber band on your finger tied up, which cuts off circulation. Pets will get the same feeling. When matts are released the blood will start to circulate again, which could lead to the itching of skin, inflammation, or even hematoma’s the ears.
What are some things pet owners ought to know when grooming their pet at home for the first time?
Make sure to always visit your friendly groomers for tips before you perform DIY grooming! Also, having monthly visits to the groomer will eventually help your pet become accustomed to strangers and aid their social skills.
What do you love the most about your job?
What I love? I love it all, their company, grooming them, getting to know them, talking to them like kids, learning along the way what can be improved for each individual dog personality.
Because they they are not just a dog, they are like my kids. _____
THE WOOF AGENCY would like to thank Andrea & Shaggy Wagon for sharing these insights for all pawrents!
Enjoyed this article? Let us know what else you’d like to read about in the comments below!
Article originally published on The Spruce Pets. Written by Jenna Stregowski, RVT. Refer to the original article here.
Dog shedding can be frustrating for all of us, no matter how much we love our dogs. The mess of dog hair can be enough to drive dog owners nuts. All dogs shed to some degree, with the exception of completely hairless dogs. Certain breeds (so-called hypoallergenic dogs) shed very little, while others (namely heavily double-coated breeds) shed large amounts.
Year-Round Shedding
All animals with hair shed on a regular basis. This is part of the natural life cycle of hair shafts within the follicles. All hair shafts go through phases of growth and shedding. The phases affect the rate of hair growth and will vary by breed, age, hormones, environment and overall health of the dog. These factors also contribute to the length and texture of the hair, though genetics is the predominant factor.
Dogs with continuously growing hair, like Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers, have hair shafts with longer life spans and shed very little. On the other hand, dogs like Labradors and Huskies have a shorter hair shaft lifespan and more abundant undercoats, resulting in greater shedding.
Shedding Season
In general, most dogs will shed extra during spring and fall. Most dogs are double-coated; they have undercoats and top coats. The top coat is what you see and feel on the outside. The undercoat is made up of secondary hairs that grow around the primary hairs and tend to be shorter and softer. Seasonal shedding occurs as a result of temperature change. This process is sometimes called “blowing coat.” When the weather warms, dogs shed their old winter undercoats to make way for a lighter summer coat. Then, when it begins to get cool again, dogs shed their lighter undercoats and grow thicker, warmer coats for winter.
Not all coat types are affected the same way by temperature changes. For example, dogs like Bichons and Shih Tzus have less undercoat, so they shed less when seasons change. The old coat must still be removed by grooming the dogs. However, dogs like Newfoundlands and Malamutes have heavy, thick undercoats that make shedding much more obvious. Basic brushing is important for both coat types.
Other Reasons for Shedding
Your dog’s health can affect the shedding rate, so it is important to take note of unexplained excessive shedding. Skin problems, endocrine diseases, nutritional or vitamin deficiencies, and other metabolic disorders can cause hair loss or change the rate of hair growth. It is important to contact your veterinarian if the rate of shedding seems unusual for your dog. Keep your dog healthy with routine vet visits and proper nutrition. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any signs of illness.
Get Control Over Shedding
There’s no way to completely stop shedding. It’s a healthy and natural process that is necessary for dogs. Shaving your dog down is not a good idea, as it can interfere with your dog’s natural self-cooling and self-warming mechanism. In the long run, it will not make shedding occur any less. In rare cases, the hair in shaved areas will grow back abnormally or not at all. The key to preventing excessive shedding is to keep up with it.
Routine grooming is absolutely essential for all dogs. Brushing or combing your dog helps to remove dead hairs before they can fall on your carpet, bedding, and upholstery. It will also prevent those dead hairs from forming mats on your dog’s coat that can eventually harm the skin. Brushing also distributes the natural, healthy oils produced by the skin throughout the hair coat. Using the right grooming tools can make a great difference. For heavy shedders, a special shedding tool like the FURminator can work wonders. For some coat types, the dead hairs don’t shed as much, but they cause the dog’s coat to appear ragged and can eventually become matted. Some owners prefer to take these dogs to a professional groomer periodically for coat care. For some coat types, hand-stripping is a technique that is often preferred over trimming the dog’s hair.
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Managing the Aftermath of Shedding in Your Home
Shedding makes a mess, no doubt about it. As a dog owner, you have probably come to terms with the fact that regular house cleaning is the norm, especially during shedding season. The key is to remove hair before it has a chance to embed itself into your carpet and upholstery. Keeping a pet hair tape roller around for touch-ups throughout the day is an excellent idea. For deeper cleaning of upholstery and small areas, consider using a handheld vacuum designed to pick up pet hair, like the Dyson DC31 Animal. When it comes to cleaning carpets, Panasonic’s Pet-Friendly JetSpin Cyclone does the job well. For non-carpeted floors, some excellent options include the Swiffer, the Fur-Be-Gone Broom, and similar style products.
Is grooming puppies a very difficult task for you? Is your pup very fidgeting and energetic? Here are some tips that you can try on your pup!
Hoshi is an 8 months old tri-color shetland, we have been grooming Hoshi on our own, mainly because he is still a puppy. We have only brought him to the groomer once, and we absolutely loved the services provided and the cut.
The basic grooming routine ✂️ that we do for Hoshi consists of trimming his nails, shaving his paw pads and potty areas, brushing his teeth, and cleaning his ears. We usually take about 1 hour to do each item in the routine because Hoshi can’t stay still. Hoshi hates grooming especially brushing his teeth. We always have a very hard time trying to groom him, as he will try to move around and escape.
#Tip 1
Treats! ?
Have plenty of treats prepared to distract your doggo while you groom him/her. Other than distracting, you can use treats to rewards your doggo. Here are some of the treats that we use for Hoshi during grooming:
Chews
Purree
#Tip 2
Have more hands on deck! ??
After trying a lot of different methods to groom him on our own, we figured out that having more people on board makes the process a lot easier. So we tend to have 3 pairs of hands when we groom Hoshi –> Hoomum, Hoodad, and Hooaunt! Hoomum would hold Hoshi down, while Hooaunt would do the grooming and Hoodad will distract Hoshi by praising him and giving him treats.
#Tip3
Stagger grooming timings ⌛
For Hoshi, completing 1 item in the routine takes about 1 hour. To complete the whole routine in 1 night, would be impossible for both the hoomans and doggo. Thus, we would split the grooming into days, and it not only helped us to take a break but also let Hoshi be more comfortable with us grooming him. Another tip that you can use would be to groom your doggos when they are about to sleep ?️! We usually groom Hoshi right before his bedtime, so he’s tired and would not struggle as much!
That’s all for the tips! Do try them on your puppies and let me know if it works! If you have any tips, please do share them with me too 🙂 Hope this helps you, even if you didn’t manage to groom your doggo, don’t give up! ?
Follow @hoshi_sheltie on Instagram to follow us on our journey ?
Travelling with a pet in Singapore is definitely not easy. But that should not stop you from bringing your pets for grooming! Check out these following groomers in Singapore which provide transportation for your pet!
You may have seen really familiar pictures on Instagram, with different furkids enjoying the gentle handling by the staff from Pawmises. Pawmises offer basic and full grooming, along with various spa options.
If you don’t already know Baoma from Pawcious Style, then you are definitely missing out! Apart from regular grooming and styling, Pawcious Style is also known for fur dyeing. Time to add a little zazzle to your pet’s look for Christmas!
Founded by the very people who understand you, the wellness of your pets, and the importance of your time. Shaggy Wagon is created to work around your schedule. That means you don’t have to spend long hours travelling or waiting for the groomers!
Meet the dedicated team of experienced pet stylist catering professional pet styling skills to all pet parents. Pawpykisses’ pet transport services are free for more than 20+ locations islandwide in Singapore as well!
With the amassed groomers you find on Facebook or Instagram, it is not easy to find one which you can trust. Especially when you own a skittish or fearful pet, or one which absolutely HATES grooming. #beentheredonethat
Meet 7 Paws, a small team of 2 humble groomers located at Serangoon. Known for grooming skittish dogs and Singapore Specials, we can just tell that they are superb at handling various types of dogs. However, note that prices are not fixed and begin from $35, depending on the breed and temperament.
Have you been turned down by groomers due to your dog’s behaviour? At 7 Paws, the groomers are confident in handling different dogs without compromising their welfare as well as the safety of the staff. Rest assured that they are highly experienced and patient, with nearly half of their customers being fearful dogs.
First, the groomer will find out about the dog’s breed and temperament from the owner. Next, they will identify the trigger which makes the pet uncomfortable during the grooming session and work about it.
Just because they were once strays does not mean that grooming is unnecessary. 7 Paws are highly experienced in handling Singapore Specials and have worked with different shelters to provide many Singapore Specials their first ever groom.
It’s time to pamper your little special furkid with a relaxing bath, a proper pawdicure and a good ear cleanse!
Poor dental health have been linked to heart diseases in canines. It is crucial to keep up with your dog’s dental health with regular tartar removal. 7 Paws is currently the only known groomer which provides tartar removal services without the use of general anesthesia. This is especially useful for dogs who are not able to go under general anesthesia due to health reasons.
Question: My dog is not comfortable with other pets, how will it go?
7 Paws respects the decision of every customer. For pet owners who wish to separate their dogs for reasons including behavioural issues or personal preferences, do inform them beforehand and they will make the necessary arrangements. Generally dogs will not be crated, unless requested or when safety is compromised. Pet owners will be informed about it as well.
Question: Is tartar removal without general anesthesia really effective?
Non-GA tartar removal should only be used as a form of maintenance for dental health. Do consult a vet if you wish to explore dental scaling under general anesthesia. 7 Paws recommends doing occasional tartar removal along with dental scaling with the vet to keep your pet’s dental health in top condition.
Question: It is inconvenient for me to bring my pet over to Serangoon just for grooming. Any other options?
7 Paws provide transport services for pets islandwide at only $10 per way! That’s even more affordable than a Grab ride from Jurong to Orchard ? 7 Paws will head over to your pickup location and bring your pet over to their grooming outlet. You may choose to pick up your pet at the store or opt for return transport.
It was a joy speaking to Josephine from 7 Paws and learning about how dedicated and knowledgeable they are in the grooming scene.
7 Paws is located at 468 Serangoon and are closed on Tuesdays. Make a booking with these amazing groomers and let the team pamper your furkid!
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