Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Pups And Kitties In The Tub

Posted Oct 9, 2006 by Kristen Levine

Updated Oct 9, 2006 at 11:24 AM

Imagine if you never bathed, brushed your hair or trimmed your nails. You would probably feel itchy and uncomfortable, not to mention the health problems you would develop.

Your pet, too, needs grooming on a regular basis to be healthy and happy.

Regular attention to your pet’s coat, skin, nails, teeth and ears will keep you informed of their condition. It’s not unusual to discover potential problems during grooming such as lumps, infections or mats in the fur.

How do you know whether your pet needs a professional groomer? It depends on the type of pet you have and how comfortable both of you are with grooming chores.

Smaller dogs and short-haired cats are less challenging to bathe and brush. Owners of larger dogs or long-haired cats and dogs may prefer professional help.

Even if you pay a specialist, you’re not entirely off the hook at home. Well-cared-for pets get at-home baths and brushings, among other things, between visits, says Tammy Ozard, owner of the Divine Canine and Kitty Boutique in Seminole.

Grooming may involve cutting hair, bathing, combing, brushing, clipping nails, cutting or shaving mats, cleaning ears and controlling external parasites.

Professional help may be required if a pet requires regular or seasonal clipping, medicated or flea baths, removal of skunk odors or harmful substances, or removal of matted fur. Typically, a trained professional can more safely and humanely handle tricky procedures and temperamental or frightened animals.

Keep in mind, however, that professional groomers aren’t miracle workers; it’s up to you to stay on top of your pet’s grooming needs. Here are some tips to guide you and your pet through a pleasant primping.

Getting Started
Start with brushing. The frequency will depend on your pet’s fur. Longer coats should be brushed daily, shorter coats less often. “Be sure to get any mats out before bathing,” Ozard advises. “Bathing a matted coat only makes the mats tighter and harder to remove.”

Difficult mats should be removed by a professional groomer.

Brush medium to long fur with a hard-wire brush, also known as a metal slicker brush.

At bath time, wet your pet by spraying over it rather than submersing in water, which tends to make animals anxious, says Arlene Ashton, owner of Puff N Stuff Pet Salon in Palm Harbor.

If your tub or sink doesn’t have a spray nozzle, use a large cup to pour water over the animal.

When it comes to suds, the pet shampoo choices are nearly as vast as human products.

“One key tip is to use a nondetergent shampoo to avoid irritation or washing off flea preventative,” Ashton suggests. “Stay away from human products; the pH is different for animals than in humans.”

There is an exception to that rule: When washing around your pet’s face or eyes, human baby shampoo is recommended because it’s gentle.

A professional groomer or your veterinarian will be able to determine if your pet needs a special type of shampoo for dry or sensitive skin.

Both Ozard and Ashton emphasize the importance of rinsing your pet thoroughly after shampooing.

“Rinsing is the single most important key in bathing your dog or cat,” Ozard says. “Not rinsing enough could cause itching and irritated skin.”

What if your Marmaduke won’t fit, or worse, won’t stay put in the bathtub?

“The best place to bathe big dogs is outside with a hose,” Ashton says.

If you have difficulty restraining the dog, best to take it to a professional.

Cats And Baths
Although some cats don’t mind a gentle bath, many pose a challenge for inexperienced cat bathers. The secret is to give them something to stand on in the tub or sink so their feet are not standing in water, Ashton says.

“If they are submersed in water, they feel frightened and may struggle in the tub,” she adds.

To ensure a smooth routine, before bathing your cat, add a drop of mineral oil to each eye and ear using a medicine dropper. This will prevent soap from irritating the eyes and should keep water out of the ears. Ashton also suggests getting a firm grip on the scruff of kitty’s neck and adding gentle pressure to best control the cat in the bath.

Senior pets require some extra care because if they have hearing or vision loss, quick grooming movements may frighten them. They may also have more trouble standing on a slippery surface, so provide extra support - especially for large dogs.

For rabbits and ferrets, follow the same recommendations provided for cats, but be sure to use a mild shampoo on rabbits and gently dry them with a blow dryer on a low, warm setting.

Rabbits tend to develop matting in the fur around their tail. Have a professional groomer trim around this area of sensitive, delicate skin.

Pocket pets, such as hamsters, gerbils, mice and Guinea pigs, should not be bathed. They are more delicate creatures and may experience extreme stress as a result. Consult with your veterinarian about how to manage the hygiene for your pocket pet.

For The Pros
Nail trimming is the most difficult procedure for most pet owners. Nails should not be cut beyond the “quick,” which can cause profuse bleeding.

Many dogs have black nails, making it difficult to see the quick. If you don’t feel confident, leave this to the groomer or your veterinarian.

Never allow nails to get too long because they can be painful, or become caught or torn on carpet.

Trimming around the pet’s eyes or feet should be left to professionals, and difficult mats always should be removed by a qualified groomer. Keep in mind that if you allow mats to get too large, they likely will need to be cut out. The good news is fur grows back.

Need to find a groomer? The Humane Society of the United States offers these tips:

•Ask a friend, veterinarian, boarding kennel, dog trainer, pet supply store or animal shelter for recommendations. Check the Yellow Pages under “Pet Grooming.”

You also can contact the National Dog Groomers Association of America at www .nationaldoggroomers.com.

•Some groomers are registered or certified by a grooming school or professional association, but no government agency regulates or licenses pet groomers. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to learn whether any complaints have been lodged against a grooming facility.

After narrowing your search, call groomers to ask about services, costs and hours of operation. Also request the names of a few current clients to interview.

CRITTER CALENDAR

Shot and Microchip Clinic
The Animal Coalition of Tampa is providing discounted shots and microchipping for dogs and cats by appointment on Friday. The coalition clinic is at 1719 Lemon St. The shot and microchip clinics are available the first three Fridays of each month. For information, call (813) 250-3900 or go online to http://www.actampa.org.

Petco Dog Adoptions
Lost Angels Animal Rescue is hosting dog adoptions at Petco, 13127 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 14. Lost Angels is a nonprofit group that supports no-kill shelters. For information, go online to www .lostangelsanimalrescue.org or call (813) 514-0595.

Write to pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail kristen@ fetchingcommunications.com; or fax to (727) 934-6451.