If you have a dog or cat in your life, it’s crucial that you know about pet grooming. It will not only keep your loved ones clean and healthy, but you and your home as well. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you want them to enjoy - or at least not hate – the process.
At Kato Animal Hospital, we offer a full slate of grooming service. Our groomers work in-house and employ a caring touch to aid them stay relaxed and calm. We use industry-standard techniques and gentle products to ensure your loved ones are cleaned from tip to tail. You can always count on us. Before you call us, here are some pet grooming tips that you can follow.
Brushing
Hair is one of the major cleanliness challenges for most owners. While there are some cat and dog breeds that don’t shed (or do very little), most others do quite a lot. Brushing regularly will ensure to keep your pet’s coat clean. Maintaining a schedule to perform this activity will aid to remove the dirt, grass and lint. It will also spread natural oils and prevent tangles. Your pet’s brushing routine will rely on its coat and shedding rates. Long-haired ones usually need daily brushing to prevent tangling and matting of hair. Do not forget to comb after it. Medium-haired ones may be susceptible to tangles and matting. They should be brushed on a weekly basis. Short-haired ones can normally go a few weeks in between brushing. If your pet enjoys, you can brush it daily regardless of the hair type. Frequent brushing during shedding season can aid to prevent hair build-up and excess shedding.
Bathing
Just like human beings, pets also need bathing. But, they do not need it as frequently as we do. The breed type and the environment in which it lives majorly determine the ideal frequency of bathing. Dog owners should bathe their loved ones a minimum of once every three months. Ensure to use only soap-free shampoos intended for dogs. Cats require fewer baths than dogs. Also, over bathing will remove the essential oils from its skin. This can cause dryness and increase dander. Still, the occasional bath can clean the hidden dirt from its fur.
Nail Trimming
We advise to leave this job to the professionals. This is because pets develop an aversion to nail trimming once they experience pain from it. The best method to avoid this is to trim correctly and with caution. If you feel comfortable to go ahead with the procedure, learn the process from a veterinary technician, vet or a groomer.
Ear Care
Bacteria and yeast can infect your pet’s ears if they are not kept clean. Some only need routine ear cleaning and go with their lives without any problems. Others will have chronic ear disease and need multiple cleanings a day. Pets with long hair or floppy ears tend to be more exposed to ear problems because their ear canal won’t be having much air exposure. If your loved ones have foul odour or excess debris in ears, take them to your veterinarian.
Skin Issues
Your pet’s coat reflects its overall health. Does it smell bad even after grooming? Is it continuously nibbling or scratching its body? This could indicate that it needs veterinary attention. It could have infections, parasites or even metabolic issues. Take them to your vet if you suspect your pet is infected. Let Kato Animal Hospital Help Not all will have the time or expertise needed to groom their loved ones in the best way possible. We have been providing veterinary services including pet grooming for over 35 years. We are also involved in continuing education to offer you the best service possible. Also, for information on summer allergies, read our blog post - The Pet Owner’s Guide to Summer Allergies in Toronto When you bring your dog, cat or rabbit to our hospital, you can rest assured that our staff will provide compassionate care. Call us to schedule a session with our professional groomers.