Halloween Safety: What You Should Know

As the holidays start to roll through town, it's important to keep your pet's safety in mind.  Here are a few tips for the first holiday on the menu: Halloween.

1.  No candy!  Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate and baking chocolate, can cause illness in dogs.  At best, you're looking at a bad case of diarrhea and ruined rugs, at worst, excessive chocolate consumption can lead to heart attacks, seizures, and death.  Sugar-free treats sweetened with Xylitol or other artificial sugars can be even more dangerous, as these sweeteners can cause blood sugar and insulin levels to rise and fall to dangerous levels.  Even the "safest" treats are unnecessary sugars.

2.  Use costume common sense.   Costumes are fun, but make sure there are no toxic materials, edible parts, or anything that can get caught up and trap or strangle the pet.  Pets should never be left unattended while wearing any type of costume.  Keep an eye on the weather and be sure the costume is not too hot for the temperature.

3.  Mind the decorations.  Candles, wires, steam-machines, whatever spooky Halloween fun you have planned, be sure that anything potentially dangerous is kept strictly out of pet boundaries.  Also, be sure to introduce your pet to any decorations they will have to come in eyesight of- some dogs are terrified of objects dangling from trees, or spooky sounds, or sudden motions.  Be sure your holiday fun isn't causing your pet undue stress.

4.  Keep the door off-limits during trick-or-treating.  No matter how friendly your dog is, you shouldn't allow them to join in the trick-or-treating fun.  Many children are scared of dogs, no matter what size, and the costumes and loud voices could startle even a well behaved dog into barking or growling.  It's best to keep your pets in a secure, quiet room away from all the commotion.  If you're sitting outside, leave your pets inside.

5.  Be ready just in case.  Have ID tags on your pets, current photos, and be prepared for any emergencies, both health-related concerns, or missing pets.  Holidays are the most common time for pets to go missing, both from accidental escapes, and theft.

Be safe, and have a Happy Halloween!

Baby It's Cold Outside!

As the weather cools, many owners are uncertain as to when their dog is actually "cold".  Here's some winter-weather advice to help you out.

1.  It's all in the breed.
Many breeds have been specifically equipped with double-layer coats for insulation.  Think Huskies, Malamutes, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and German Shepherds- if you're sweeping up giant fluffy balls of fur in your home every day, chances are, your dog can take quite a chill.  Small breeds, as well as very thin-coated breeds such as Boxers, Dobermans, and Greyhounds, can be far more susceptible to frosty air.

As a rule, most medium breeds and larger are comfortable quite a few degrees below what you are- their metabolism is different from ours, and they have a full-body layer of hair to insulate them from the elements.

The best way to be sure, is simply to observe your dog.  Like us, they will shiver, curl up in a ball, or seek warmer areas if they are too cold.  Never leave a dog outside in cool weather if you are not absolutely certain they are comfortable.

2.  To clothe or not to clothe?
Some owners love doggie clothes.  Some hate them.  Some are indifferent.  Do clothes play a function?

In short, yes.  While many want to argue that dogs are animals and wouldn't wear clothes in nature, modern pet dogs include breeds that would never have survived in nature.  They are here because we bred them to look the way they do, and that can include hair and body size that is incompatible with our natural climates.

Again, if your dog has sufficient hair or body mass to keep warm and does not ever appear to shiver or huddle up in the cold, clothes are unnecessary and possibly even detrimental.  A Lab or Husky in a sweater would actually be likely to overheat even if very cool weather.  It's best to reserve clothing options for very small or very hairless dogs, and monitor them closely for signs of being overheated.  Very few dogs require clothing indoors, it's best to save the sweaters for walks or traveling outside.

Just think clothes are cute?  Try to stick with lightweight cotton T-shirts then, if you must- don't allow your dog to be uncomfortably hot to satisfy your own vanity.


3.  Grooming
All dogs can benefit from winter-time grooming.  Even if your pet doesn't need a haircut, a well-groomed coat will keep them warmer than a dirty, tangled one.  All dogs should be groomed year round, to keep dirt, dead hair, and mats from gathering in their hair.  A messy coat will not have the necessary area to gather hot air near the skin and insulate the dog.  Also, be sure your groomer removes all the hair from your dog's paw pads- some people think this helps keep the feet warmer, but in reality, the hair gathers moisture, ice crystals, and road salt, and can be very uncomfortable for the dog.  It's best to keep the feet well trimmed at all times.

4.  Outdoor Comforts
If your dog spends any amount of time outside, regardless of breed or size, there are a few must-haves for their comfort and safety.  An air-tight shelter, with clean dry bedding, is essential to allow them somewhere to escape from the elements if they become overwhelming.  The shelter should be secure both from temperature and driving rains.  The bedding must be checked regularly, wet or soiled bedding will not stay warm.  Fresh water should always be available, and if the temperatures are extreme enough, a heated bowl may be necessary to prevent freezing.


5.  Let it snow!
If proper considerations are taken, most dogs love snow and winter as much as humans do.  Never be afraid to let your pet enjoy the winter- just be sure to watch and monitor for any sign of distress, and react accordingly.

Why Groom Dogs?

For some people, dog grooming conjures up images much like this:

Many owners, particularly of breeds with shorter hair, think grooming is just a matter of making dogs look "fru-fru" and that it serves no function to the dog.  Let's debunk that.  :-)

WARNING:  Some images below will depict the problems that can arise from improper grooming, and may be disturbing to some viewers.

Here's an in-depth breakdown of many of the important functions served by a full-service professional grooming.


1.  Nails

On the left, you see well-maintained nails.  On the right, overgrown nails.  Overgrown nails cause many problems.  They can break, causing pain and bleeding.  They can catch in crevices, twisting the dog's leg or foot and causing injuries.  Eventually, they will often curl over and embed into the pads of the feet.  Given enough time, they will cause permanent muscle and bone problems as the foot bends and warps trying to allow the dog to walk in spite of the nails.

Nail care varies by dog, small dogs and puppies often require more frequent maintenance than larger dogs.  Dogs who are walked frequently make keep their nails properly short on their own.  On average, nail trim should be performed no less than once per month.


2.  Ears

On the left- a very infected ear.  On the right- a healthy, clean, normal ear.

Ear infections can be caused by many things: yeast, bacteria, fungus, mites.  The cause often depends on the lifestyle and diet of the dog- diets high in sugar and grains seem to promote yeast infections, frequent swimming can cause fungal infections if the ears are not flushed out properly afterwards, dogs who live outside or spend time with other dogs may contract mites.

The causes and treatments vary, but all can be prevented largely by regular ear care.  Dogs with hair growing inside their ears will have the hair plucked out by a groomer to allow for more air flow.  All breeds should hair their ears well flushed and wiped with a pet-safe ear cleaner every 2-4 weeks.

Q-tips should never be used in a dog's ears.  Also, do not try any of the "home remedies" you can find on the internet, things like olive oil and vinegar do not belong in a dog's ears- use only ear cleaners specifically designed for dogs.


3.  Coat & Skin

So your dog doesn't need a haircut?  He still could use a groom.

Look familiar?  

There are two types of dogs:  those who shed, and should be brushed out regularly, and those who do not shed, and should be brushed out regularly.  The reasons are slightly different, but the necessity is the same.

Shedding breeds develop layers of undercoat in their fur.  The hairs die and fall out of the skin, but become trapped in other layers of hair and do not fall off the body.  This hair can become compacted, leave the dog with a heavy pelt of hair that cannot breathe.  The skin beneath will stay damp for hours or days after any rain or bath, allowing bacteria and fungus to grow on the skin.  Eventually this can develop into hot spots, infections, even hair loss.  Regular bathing, brushing, and force-drying help keep the shedding hair out of the coat, and keep the skin beneath healthy, clean, and dry.

Non-shedding breeds are typically said to have "hair".  They are not truly non-shedding, but because the hair grows very long and lives a long time, only a few hairs are lost at a time and the effect is not noticeable.  This hair requires frequent maintenance to prevent matting.  

Mats are not knots or tangles, which can frequently be brushed out or trimmed away.  Mats are hardened clumps of "live" hair, "dead" or shed-out hair, dirt, and debris, which are so hard-packed and fused that any form of brushing out is utterly impossible.  When hair has reached the point of matting, it is pulling on the skin below, causing bruising and soreness.  Often the dogs will chew at the mats trying to relieve the pain, which can cause further skin damage.  Water stays in the mats almost indefinitely, leading to skin infections and fungal growth.  The only solution to a matted dog is a complete shavedown.  The best prevention, is regular brushing, and regular haircuts to keep the dog's coat at a length the owner finds manageable.  

Regular bathing can also help any number of skin conditions, including dry skin, allergies, fleas, hot spots, and more.  Medicated shampoos do nothing if they're only used once or twice a year!

4.  Teeth

Owners typically consider their pet's dental care to be something the vet does every few years for a great deal of money.  Like humans, dog's dental care should be an ongoing, even daily process.

Groomers can help by brushing and/or scaling teeth during visits.  Brushing removes soft debris and buildup from the teeth, reduces bacteria, and freshens breath.  Scaling removes harder plaque buildup.

It's important to note that since groomers work on dogs who are awake, scalings can take several sessions and may not be as 100% complete as a vet cleaning.  However, they are a good choice for more regular dental care between vet cleanings (and they are far cheaper).  Regular brushing and scaling will keep teeth healthier, meaning fewer pulled teeth when the vet does have to clean them.


5.  Eyes

Eyes?  What can a groomer do for my dog's eyes?

Quite a bit, as a matter of fact.

Long haired dogs grow hair everywhere- even around their eyes.  Many breeds develop a "fan" of hair that grows up from their muzzle and towards the eyes.  Since many toys dogs have developed problems with their tear ducts which causes frequent eye watering, this hair can rapidly become wet and dirty.  Eventually the dirt, debris and moisture will attract bacteria, which can get into the eyes themselves and cause infections.  Breeds with facial hair need to have the hair around their eyes regularly trimmed back, and their face washed and well dried to prevent any issues.

6.  Conclusions

Already, we've demonstrated that grooming, rather than being "just a haircut", is actually a full-body wellness service for your dog.  Every dog can find some benefit from grooming, no matter how big or small, or even hairless!

A good groomer should check for and address all of the concerns listed above.  Your groomer should be able to tell you:

-If your dog's skin has developed any issues, what the symptoms are, probable causes, and suggested treatment
-If your dog's ears are unusually red, dirty, or swollen
-If your dog's eyes are red, or if the discharge is discolored
-If your dog's nails are overgrown, embedded, or require more regular care
-If your dog's teeth are a cause for concern, also if your dog's breath is abnormally foul given the state of their teeth (clean teeth and foul breath can be a sign of medical concerns that must be addressed)
-If your dog's anal glands were unusually full, impacted, or potentially infected
-If your dog is experienced any hair loss or change in hair texture or color

So remember: ALL dogs need grooming, ALL year round- winter may be time to let your dog's hair hang down a bit, but that's no reason to let the rest of their needs go unmet!

Until next time!

-Aly

Welcome!

Welcome to our new blog!  This space will be used for information on all matters relating to pet grooming, pet care, health, wellness, new products and news articles, and so forth.  Have a question?  Email us at gentletouchllc@gmail.com and see your answer here on our blog!

A little background on your blogger:

- I've been grooming pets for more than 10 years.  I have worked at corporate salons, private saloons, vet clinic,s and mobile groomers.  My experience has given me not only a vast working knowledge of all things grooming, but a good understanding of what pets and their owners need from the grooming experience, and how to make a grooming business work for everybody involved.  This includes the high safety standards I enforce here at the salon, which are posted for public review on our website.  One of the biggest lessons I've learned from watching other salons fail, is that pet owners want full disclosure, and hiding information or limiting customer access to the salon is a big way to breed distrust.  My policies are public knowledge, and as for my salon, it is always open for full tours to any client who's curious to see it.

- In addition to grooming, I have some experience with training, including obedience, Schutzhund, and most recently Search & Rescue.  I have also spent time as a foster, hand-raised orphans, and rescued animals in distress.  I regularly read all new studies and information regarding pet health and nutrition, and have an un-biased knowledge of subjects like pet food, vaccines, topical flea treatments, and more.  I am always happy to share this information with my clients.  Grooming is more than just a haircut, it's part of your pet's overall wellness program.

I look forward to sharing information with you!

-Aly
Owner/Groomer at Gentle Touch Grooming